The Great Yogic Powers - Shree Purohit Swami

I was a lean lad, with a bright face, and sparkling eyes that everybody admired. Yet the colic pain in my stomach was unbearable. Six years running I fell ill as the examination approached and was promoted to a higher class on the recommendation of my teachers. I was intelligent but unwilling to study, being interested in everything save my books. Though extremely fond of play, I was ever ready with a sermon on religion. One of my teachers told me before the class: "My dear boy, this is no place for you; go to some temple and preach there. That is what you were born for." The saints and the poets of Maharashtra had taken such a strong hold on my mind that I had no time to study. I fancied it possible to realize the divine life, before doing anything else. But it was not so easy, as I found out later.

One day in the early hours of morning, my father sent for me, took me by the hand, and wanted me to sit on the same cushion with him. I was thunderstruck: Never had I sat in his presence, but always stood as a mark of profound reverence. But he told me in a mild tone: "My good friend, today you attain the sixteenth year of your life. According to the scriptures, I must no longer treat you as a son but as my friend. Hitherto you have obeyed me, hence forward we are equals and friends. You can discuss every subject with me, and need only act on my suggestions when you feel convinced." Of course I could not sit with him, and have never taken that liberty, but have felt proud of giving him honor by standing, no matter what my learning and age.

I passed the matriculation of the University of Bombay in 1898. The plague was raging furiously at Poona where we had many relatives, so my father sent me to Nagpur to the Morris College in June 1899, and I entered for the Arts course.

© "An Indian Monk: His Life & Adventures" by Shree Purohit Swami with an introduction by WB Yeats, published by Rupa & Company, 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002. Reprinted with permission.

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