Compassion in Action - Swami Sivananda

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavat Bhanduvulaara in TBP,

 

Love and Love alone....

 

I failed to stop my tears while reading this post and could not

resist the temptation of posting it here, though some people are not

happy with my too many postings. Probably, I should take a break for

some days. What do you all say?

 

See the love and compassion of Great Souls like Swami Sivananda. We

all need to inculcate this understanding, love and compassion. Then

only we will progress in our struggle to overcome the hurdles in our

path.

 

Love and Love alone...

 

P. Gopi Krishna

 

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COMPASSION IN ACTION: It was a hot summer day on the 10th of August,

1958. A beautiful, innocent-looking girl, hardly about twenty-two,

arrived in a shabby white sari and asked the receptionist at the

Ashram for asylum and stay as a " seeker " . She entered a false name in

the register.

 

Night came, and after the Master had occupied his seat at the

Satsang, the girl made the customary namaskar to him, prostrating and

handing a note. The Master was always up and doing and did not lay

things by for scrutiny later. Then and there his decisions were taken.

 

The note in effect read: " Sri Satguru Maharaj, I am a sinner, a

spoilt child. Unmarried, I yet carry a child within. I am the

innocent victim of a young scoundrel of Delhi, a neighbour who, after

having exploited me, deserted me. My parents are elsewhere but in

order to supplement their income I was employed in Delhi, staying

with certain relatives. I went astray, not realising the

consequences. I cannot raise my head anywhere. I cannot return to my

parents. I have come here to drown myself in the Ganges after the

expression of this confession and penitence to thee. Bless me and

save my soul. "

 

The Master lost no time in giving her his benediction, and asked her

not to be rash but to wait and watch.

 

He allowed her to remain in the Ashram till he thought over the

matter and found a solution. Since she had completely thrown herself

at his mercy, it was now his responsibility. She was given a separate

room, food and clothing, and a venerable Swami of her own community

was in charge of her comfort, safety and needs. An old lady was her

room-mate. Except these two persons no one else knew about the

situation.

 

The Master contacted a devotee lady doctor to take charge of the poor

girl, who was due to deliver the baby in October at a maternity

hospital. The doctor very joyfully accepted the command and promised

utmost secrecy.

 

The Master then consulted a venerable couple who were devotees of his

and were childless, to ascertain from them whether they would adopt

the coming child, be it a boy or a girl.

 

" Yes, Swamiji, and by thy Grace we will perform the adoption ceremony

with great eclat. Whether the baby be a male or a female, it would be

a divine blessing, " came the answer from the couple.

 

On the 22nd of October there came a telegram to the Master: " X.

blessed with a baby daughter. "

 

Greetings and blessings were sent to the girl and a letter written to

the couple requesting them to come over to the Ashram to see and

adopt the baby treasure. All arrived on the 14th day of the birth of

the child--the girl from the maternity home and the childless couple

from Delhi.

 

On the 7th of November the sacred adoption ceremony was performed in

the benign presence of the Master, with the chanting of verses and

prayers. Trays of sweets were ready. The baby was smiling and as

beautiful as her mother. The girl bowed to the Master with great

fervour and gratitude. The adopting parents, too, were filled with

great joy. The ceremony lasted for about an hour, with everyone

joining in prayers and blessings for the long life and prosperity of

the girl, the baby and the adopting parents.

 

The Master applied the sacred ash to all three and to the baby,

naming her " Shakuntala " , saying that he liked that name best. Taking

the baby from the girl he handed it to the adopting mother with a

prayer, " Long live Shakuntala! She will be an ideal girl. "

 

Tears trickled down the girl's cheeks. Overwhelmed, she sat down.

 

Addressing her, the Master said, " Worry not, my child. I bless you!

You will now marry suitably and have many more such children. "

 

A devotee from amongst the audience remarked, " We see the greatness

of Gurudev only in our old age. We have come and prostrated to him so

late in our lives, but this fortunate baby of only fourteen days has

found out Sri Satguru Maharaj so miraculously and is taken in his lap

and blessed so abundantly. "

 

The foster parents returned to Delhi the same night. As for the girl,

she was now wiser and a new light radiated from her. She later

returned to her parents who accepted her back with equally good grace

and blessings.

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" To behold the one Atma or Soul in a dog, elephant, cow, ant,

outcaste, rogue and in all forms is Jnana or wisdom. " - Swami

Sivananda