Page 173 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

in a mood of disrespect invited the guest to have it. Without a word, the Sannyasin took it. and the woman continued hurling her words of anger as long as the Sannyasin was eating. a man of no words as the Sannyasin was, he displayed no expression of anger or irritation. and on seeing that the Sannyasin remained mum, the woman got all the more angry. at last, on the spur of the moment, she took out a burning piece of wood from the oven and set fire to the beard of the Sannyasin. But the latter, quiet at heart and free from anger as he was, showed no anger. instead he began putting out the fire with his left hand and began eating the food with his right hand. The woman, thus defeated, stood surprised.
On seeing the Sannyasin remaining unaffected, uninsulted and patient, the woman was highly impressed. in a gesture of repent- ance, she fell at the feet of the Sannyasin and begged an apology. Eventually, she was initiated by the Sannyasin and thus had herself cleansed of her nature.
Baba said, “it is by means of forgiveness and patience that anger is triumphed over, that if one remonstrates at the anger of the other, then fire of anger gets all the more ferocious and that anger cannot be brought under control. The feeling of forgiveness increases by means of the practice of patience and vice versa.”
The indoors being hot, Baba lay in the verandah. We said, “if you need any help at night, you must call the attendant.” Replied he, “i need no help, my mother.” saying this, he shared with me an experience of his own life.
Once in course of travelling, he happened to be introduced to a policeman, who on being attracted to him had himself initiated by Baba. On seeing Baba wandering about in jungles and forests, he offered Baba a ‘tambu’ (i.e. a tent). Declining the offer, Baba said, “i am a man of the jungles. i know no destination of mine. Who is there to guard your tambu? if it is somehow stolen, then you will have to account for it to the Government you serve.” On realizing the veracity of the words of Baba, the policeman engaged a man to guard the ‘tambu’.
Baba allows no second person in his bed-room, he sleeps all alone at night. Besides, there is but one room in the ‘tambu’. so
Fhftd Volum: First Taranga 143