Page 99 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot
P. 99
having told the story, our Baba told us a Doha (a couplet in hindi):
ब्रह्मज्ञािी सदा निललेप, जैसे जळमां कमळ अलेप
brahmajñānī sadā nirlepa, jayase jalmāṃ kamal alepa
The meaning being, a lotus, in spite of being born of water, is detached from it. in the same way one who has realised the Brahman is without any greed or temptation, he is a detached one.
Sixth Taranga
Once our Baba told us that those living in Punjab are generally religious-minded, pious and accord a cordial hospitality to the guests. There was a time when there was dharmashala in every town and even in remote villages. Many a Sannyasin used to come to those dharmashalas. Those leading a domestic life were glad to be of service to them. There was a kind of rule, prevailing in every village, that three pieces of flat bread, apart from the required number, had to be kept ready in every household. Of them one would be for the service of a monk, the second for the dharmashala and the last one would be kept ready in case a guest came. if unfortunately no guest came along, the loaves would be used to serve the cattle. and the loaf, which is kept apart for the guest, can never be eaten by any member of the family.
Our Baba, in course of a conversation, told us that there was a time when there was no caste system. No hindu hesitated to share food with other hindus. however, none accepted or shared any food with the Muslims. The people from among the Muslims used to do the work of a cobbler.
Baba also told us that the people of Punjab were very reverent to the monks and sages and they used to serve them before the
Third Volum: Sixth Taranga 77