Light of Nonviolence

Author(s): Sushilmuni
Publisher: Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh Delhi

Page 57

come to my ashram.
Since the astrologer was such a learned and politically important man who attached great importance to both his scholarship and relations to the rulers of India, he never imagined that the request for his services would come from anyone except a very important person. Therefore when he received the messenger from the ashram, he thought that I was at least the head of my religious order. But when he came and saw that I was only a young monk with no great influence with the people, he became insulted and angry and he began to belittle me.
"You called me?" he asked distainfully.
"Yes, I did," I half-apologized.
Indeed, beside this great, tall and venerable astrologer who had long grey hair and a noble demeanor, I felt humbled and embarrassed, at least momentarily. But after I reflected on my own high-minded journey in life and my spiritual commitment to the truth and my ideals for humanity, I ceased to feel less than the man before me, even though he did his best to stare me down. Seeing that the fierceness of his gaze upon me was not having the desired effect, he asked me, rather critically, "Where are you from?"
I answered calmly that I was from the Gurgoan district of India and the village Shikopur. Then what seemed like a sudden revelation dawned upon the astrologer and his face went blank with a shocked realization of who I
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