Light Of Life

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 85

in the samsar, he will be detached, and
into samsar.
With the purpose of carrying out such endeavours; and of attaining the butter of Tatva or enlightenment, Adya Shankaracharya decided to establish an Ashram and began searching for a suitable place. He happened to be travelling in the south. At a place, he witnessed an astonishing event. He decided to establish an ashram there. He became deeply overwhelmed with a mysterious kind of delight. He thought, "I have created Shastras; and I have solved all metaphysical problems; but this delight I am experiencing is unprecedented".
THE INCISIVENESS OF THOUGHT:
Shankaracharya went to the river to take a bath. It was morning. A Harijan was sweeping the road. While he was returning from the river having taken a bath, by chance, the Harijan happened to touch him; and he became angry : He said: "Are you blind? Do you know who I am? I have purified myself by bathing in the river; and, I have become polluted by your touch!"
will not sink
At that time, the Harijan gave him an explanation. Harijan folded his hands; and said: "Kindly excuse sir. I am sorry. I too have to take a bath now."
"
Hearing this, Shankaracharya fell into deep thoughtfulness. He began to wonder why the man had to take a bath. He said, "Why do you say so? Why do you want to take a bath now ?"
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The Harijan replied: "Bhagwan! To-day I have been polluted by the touch of an impure man. So, I have to take a bath. Though by profession, the Harijan was a sweeper, he was a saint at heart. He had attained enlightenment. He had lofty ideals in his life.
The me,