Page 68 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

cutting its branches. suddenly, his axe fell on the ground below. But the man, while sitting atop that tree, took the axe up with the help of a mantra. The minister was surprised to see it and thought that he must learn the mantra from that wood-cutter, as it might stand him in good stead. so thinking, the minister got close to the wood-cutter and begged him for the mantra. said the wood-cutter, “i am but a sweeper and you are a minister, i cannot be your Guru.”
Undeterred, the minister insisted that the woodcutter grant him his prayer. at last, the wood-cutter consented and said, “are you ready to look up to me as your Guru?”
“Yes”, replied the minister.
“are you prepared to pay me the fees or take a test at any time?” questioned he.
“Yes”, was the reply, made by the minister.
The sweeper offered him the mantra. The minister then took an immediate test of the mantra, offered by his Guru. he, after having thrown down his swords, got them back via his mantra. satisfied, he paid his obeisance to the Guru and returned home.
a few months later there was a festival in the land of the minister. Everyone in the capital was in a mood of revelry. a huge stage, highly decorated and illuminated, was made just outside the Palace. The King, accompanied by his entourage, enjoyed the revelry going on. at that time a man while walking along the road, shouted out, “Who among you is my disciple? Please come and relieve me of my pain by taking this container of human excreta down.”
Everyone present on that festive occasion looked at the sweeper with a container, full of stool, atop his head. at first glance, the minister could recognize his Guru. he could soon realize, that his Guru had wished to take a test. True to his pledge, he hesitated least to take the test. he could also realize that he would have to leave the post of the minister, the royal honour and above all the love of his friends only to take the test. But little did he hesitate, because to him the first and foremost thing to do was to be true to his words. The Chief Minister, killing no time, left the court and got close to the sweeper, “Please place the container of stool on my head, as i am your disciple.”
46 Kailashpati