‘MAD’ MUSLIM

“ஆண்டி பெருத்தது அண்ணாமலை” or “Sadhus abound in Arunachala,” is a famous saying prevalent in Tiruvannamalai. Another aspect is also equally true. There have always been many ‘mad’ persons in Arunachala. Yes, Arunachala is always filled with ‘sane’ sadhus and ‘insane’ mad persons! A true sadhaka should not look at this undeniable fact only from the physical point of view and pass judgement. Sri Bhagavan made two statements which have relevance here: “எந்த புத்திலே எந்த பாம்பு இருக்குமோ ? யாருக்குத் தெரியும்!” ( “Which snake-pit houses which snake - who can know for sure?”)

“வெகு தூரத்திலேந்து மஹான்கள் அருணாசல ப்ரதக்ஷிணம் செய்ய வருவா ! ஜனங்களிடமிருந்து தப்பிக்க, அதில் சிலர் போட்டுக்கொள்ளும் வேஷம் : ‘சாது’ அல்லது ‘பைத்தியக்காரன்’ ! ” (“All the time, Realized Beings visit ‘Arunachala’ for the sole purpose of doing giri pradakshina (circumambulation of the Holy Hill). To escape drawing attention from the crowds of people, the two safe disguises they themselves adorn are that of ‘sadhus’ and mad persons!”)

In the 1980s, after the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Bhagavan, the activities of the Ashram burgeoned. Being an important part of the management, I became engaged all the time in arranging functions not only within the premises of the Ashram but also across India. I travelled extensively to help other organizations celebrate Sri Bhagavan’s Birth Centenary. I was too busy to pay attention to my sadhana. Guru-seva took precedence over Guru-upadesa. I didn’t know how to extricate myself from being engaged in the continuous organizational activities and tours.

There was a ‘mad’ Muslim at that time in the town. Day and night, he would walk the streets, continuously using abusive language. People used to hurl stones at him, beat him with sticks and drive him away without fear of retaliation. Because, he never reacted nor retorted. In fact, he never even looked at them. Occasionally, he would come to the Ashram and demand food through gestures – all the while continuing to shout abusively. Every time he crossed me, he would give me a piercing look, which kindled in my Heart a sense of sympathy and love for him and never a feeling of dislike or anger.

One day, he begged me through gestures to let him into the Dining Hall and have food. Since he was dirty and smelly, even servants refused to eat along with him. With a rush of compassion, I assured him of a sumptuous meal if he followed me. I made him sit outside the Old Hall, spread a big banana leaf, and brought some buckets full of rice, vegetables, sambhar, rasam and butter-milk. He looked very happy, though he still mouthed abusive words. He ate with relish all the buckets full of food and demanded water. That bucket of water too he swallowed. It was an impossible feat! I knew something remarkable was happening. After finishing, he gave me his usual piercing look. But this time, it was long and filled with love. His abusive outpouring, stopped abruptly. To my utter surprise, he told me in clear Tamil, “உனக்காக ஒரு கோடி ரூபா காத்திண்டிருக்கு. ஒரு ரூபாவை நாடி, தேடி, ஓடி, அதுவுங்கிடைக்காம ஏமாந்து போகாதே” – (“A crore (ten million) of rupees is waiting for you! Don’t commit the grave mistake of running around all over the world for gaining just one rupee and, finally get heart-broken by getting not even that!”). He repeated these words three times and went away. I was in a state of ecstasy!

Next day, our servants reported to me that the ‘mad’ Muslim that I had fed the previous day, was lying dead, near a tank right by the side of entrance to the Big Temple!

My attention on ‘life’ took a complete ‘U’-turn from then on. It turned from attending to external activities to focusing my attention exclusively ‘inwards’ to practising Sri Bhagavan’s teaching of Self-Enquiry!

“…..by the side of entrance to the Big Temple…..”