Aspirants Guide

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba

Page 67

ASPIRANT'S GUIDE
After some time, his partner himself came and told, "Well Tilak, your son is in a very serious state. Please run home immediately !"
Tilak replied, "Well ! In the morning I have explained everything to the doctor. He is treating him. What good can | do ?" The partner left.
When Tilak returned home after completing his work, his son was dead. Tilak changed his clothes and prepared to go to the crematorium as if nothing had happened.
Not becoming overwhelmed with sorrow on the death of his eldest son was no small matter. Only rare persons who constantly practice equanimity can keep such great equanimity intact. (2) About a hundred years ago in the state of Orissa, India; a robber named Ramkhan, had spread terror. Nobody dared even to refer to his name. People were terror stricken and used to tremble by just a reference to his name. Every one wished to get freed from the terror of this robber.
Mahatma Harnath was a great saint of the area. He gave courage to the frightened people and said, "Well brothers, no sinner is bad, only sin is bad." With these words, he took the track into the forest where this terrorizing robber lived.
With an extremely peacefui composure, detached and fearless vision and the luster of celibacy, the Mahatma proceeded to the forest where the bandit lived. As he reached the place of his residence, the eyes of Ramkhan fell on the Mahatma and he was immediately transformed. The emotions of the robber to whom killing people was just a game, were transformed. He said, "O great saint ! I have committed countless crimes. Now you have come and with you has come the time of my uplift." With these words, he fell down at the feet of the Mahatma.
The Mahatma raised the robber and embraced him with all love. He said, "Well brother, all sins are destroyed by resorting to the path of God. This leads a person to Supreme eternal delight. May you therefore resort to atonement of your misdeeds, improve your life and get engrossed in the adoration of the path of God."
Ramkhan became a monk and passed the rest of his life in uttering the name of God.
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SADHAK-SATHI