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Different form of a Devotee!!!
In this first visit of the millineum to Brindavan
Sri Swamigal went on a parikrama of the Kshetra -
'Brindavana parikrama' - along with His devotees.
Those devotees who followed Sri Swamigal close at
His heels chanted 'Radhe Shyam Radhe Shyam' while
the rest who followed at a distance sang 'namavallis'
along with the Bhagavathars.
Hardly half-a kilometer distance on the 'parikrama'
route had been covered when this 'devotee' was found
lying right in the middle of the road, facing the
direction from which Sri Swamigal and His devotees
were coming. No sooner had the 'devotee' spotted
Sri Swamigal than he came running towards Him,
tail wagging in sign of his affection, as if Sri
Swamigal was none but the familiar Master. Going
round Sri Swamigal, this 'devotee' then followed
the Master, to His left, and a
little distance away. Neither the lameness of a
leg nor fatigue was a hindrance to following Sri
Swamigal! The 'devotee' did not seem to care
about these. But when Sri Swamigal stopped a
while now and then to give this 'devotee' some
rest, as if taking the cue the 'devotee', too,
sat aside. The 'devotee' accepted the biscuits
then offered by the Bhagavathars but would immediately
jump up on his legs as soon as Sri Swamigal started moving.
Enroute, a number of dogs tried to chase and attack him.
They barked wildly at him. But, no - not a whimper from
our co-devotee! Seeking refuge at this time of danger he
would move up and walk a little in front of Sri swamigal.
When the other devotees chased away the attackers this
'true devotee' would move back and walk behind Sri
Swamigal as he had been! Sri Swamigal asked kindly,
"Ennada venum unakku? Um? Enna venum?" (What do you
want, dear, what do you want?) There was only a 'Silent response!'
When Sri Swamigal stopped at the banks of Yamuna,
sang bhajans and in the evening bathed and performed His
'anushtanams' this unusual 'devotee' sat aside calmly.
This devotee with a different form followed Sri Swamigal
upto Sri Rangaji Mandir before leaving the Master 'physically'.
Many Mahans have sung - 'jnamaliyir kedai...' , 'Naayinum
kadaiyen...' to the Lord, holding themselves lower than
a dog. However, in Brindavan, this devotee showed that
the difference in form was not a block to understand and
feel the Presence.
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