Purity- Swami Sivananda

A Bania once approached a Sadhu for initiation. The Sadhu said, “Wait, I will initiate you after some time”. The Bania pressed the Sadhu again and again on several occasions for quick initiation. The Sadhu totally declined and went away. He, however, visited the Bania after a couple of years with his Bhiksha-bowl containing some mud, hair, urine and excreta, and asked the Bania for alms. The Bania brought out nice sweet meats, kheer, halva, etc. He had prepared these nice dishes, as he thought that he would be initiated this time by the Sadhu. The Sadhu said to the Bania, “Put everything into the bowl”. The Bania said, “How can I place them, Swamiji, in this dirty bowl! Kindly, clean the bowl and bring it to me. I will then place in it all the nice preparations”. The Sadhu replied: “When such is the case with this bowl, how can I place the pure Lord in your heart which is filled with various impurities, viz., lust, anger, pride, greed, etc.? How can I initiate you now, when your mind is very dirty like this bowl?” The Bania got depressed and went away in shame. He then purified himself through charity, selfless service, etc., and got initiated by the Sadhu later.

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