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Essence of World Religions
Holy Water
Tukaram the saintly poet of India once traveled on foot all the way from Maharashtra state to Banaras to bring holy water of the river Ganges for a Grand Bathing Ceremony (Abhisheka) of his deity. On his way with the holy water in a copper pot, he saw a donkey lying almost dead on the ground, suffering from the scorching heat of the sun. Seeing the donkey suffering without water, his tender heart was moved with compassion. He spontaneously poured the precious holy water which was meant for the deity in the mouth of the donkey. Soon after the donkey drank the water, he slowly came to life and opened his eyes. There was an expression of satisfaction on his face, the donkey was alive. Tukaram seeing the donkey revived back to life took a great sigh of relief and experienced a spiritual ecstasy. He said to himself, "My Abhisheka to God is complete," and returned home without holy water.
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