Attitude Vs Appearance

Add as a preferred source on Google

Once the diwans and the ministers informed Raja Singh Bahadhur of Bihar, that the Sannyasins (renunciates) of the Anandapuri ashram indulged in comforts like savouring on sweet meats and Kheer and spent their time sleeping without engaging any form of spiritual practices. The king summoned the Mahant of the ashram, Swami Niralambananda and demanded an explanation regarding the allegement against the sannyasins. Swami Nirambalanda invited the king to the ashram the next day and determine for himself. He further told the king that he would wake him up at three o'clock the next day to set out on the mission.

The Swami awakened the king at three o'clock the next morning and asked the king's attendant to follow them with a pot of water. He first led the king to the homes of the diwans and the ministers. As instructed by him, the attendant sprinkled a little water from the pot on the ministers' and the diwans' face. Startled at being woken up suddenly from their sound sleep, they unconsciously uttered a stream of foul words. Next the Swami led the king to the stable and the water was sprinkled on the grooms, they woke up uttering, 'Sala', 'Badmash' etc. The Swami then took the king to the ashram and the water was sprinkled on the sleeping sannyasins. The sannyasins woke up uttering the names of God.

Swami Niralambananda pointed out the attitude behind the same actions of different individuals. He clarified that the words uttered, revealed the contents of the heart and determined the purity of the mind. The sannyasins had a detached outlook to things as they are clearly aware of the fact that they were not the body and that they extended much beyond the physical frame. They identified themselves with the all pervading atman. So a delicacy or a simple food, silk robe or jute clothing, a cushioned bed or the bare floor hardly made any difference to them. Had they to savour sweetmeat they were ready to partake of the alms collected the next day wholeheartedly. Had they to adorn silk clothes they were more than ready to switch to rags or simple clothings if situation demanded, without a flinch. They resorted to sleeping on the bare floor without the slightest hesitation even if they had slept on comfortable beds. In their attitude they were completely detached unlike the ordinary people who clung to comforts. Though they seemed to be quite their minds were always alert .

The Swami explained further to the king that the sannyasins were totally dedicated for selfless service and if there was a crisis to give up their life for a cause, the king would then come to know of their virtues, as they were totally detached from their body.

The Swami thus concluded saying that mere external actions fail to determine the depth of the renunciates' deeds .