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not even look up. He went back quietly to the river; bathed again and came up to the bank. Again, the young man spat at him. It was the winter season; and the air was cold and biting. The water was as cold as ice. Yet, Eknath without reacting in any way, went back to the river; bathed and returned. Again, the young man spat at him. Eknath again quietly went back to the river; bathed and returned The young man spat at him again. He did so fifty times, and Eknath had to bathe in the river fifty times. Yet, he was not angry. There was no trace of anger or gloom on his face. He was as cheerful and as serene as ever He thought, "This may be the will of the Paramafma. Probably, he will be ashamed of his action or probably he has been testing me. He may be the Paramatma in disguise. Who knows?""
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Sometime later, the young man was tired of spitting thus. He felt ashamed of his action. With repentance, he fell at the feet of Eknath, and then folding his hands humbly; with his eyes streaming with tears, he said, "Revered sir! kindly forgive me, 1 have insulted you. I repent my action and I am experiencing inordinate agitation in my heart. You are, indeed, a great man and my behaviour has been despicable".
Eknath helped him to stand up and embraced him. He felt thankful to the young man and said, "I have been proud of myself, thinking! was great, but today I have been subjected to a severe ordeal. Your attitude of contempt has given me spiritual strength and satisfaction. Today, I would have bathed in the Ganga only once. But by your grace, I have bathed in the river fifty times. You did not insult me; on the other hand, you have bestowed a great benefaction upon me. I have earned the merit of having bathed in the Ganga fifty times. grace, I had to bathe in the river fifty times." tremendous tolerance! What an extraordinary kind nity! How sweet was his spirituality!
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