Poor Man’s Kindness

Once, Swami Vivekananda was staying in a village in Rajasthan. When people found out, they came in large numbers to meet him. Swami ji spent his time patiently answering everyone's questions.

This continued for three whole days and nights. Swami ji became so involved in guiding people that he didn’t take a break—not even for food or water.

On the third night, after all the visitors had left, a poor man came to Swami ji. He folded his hands and said, “Swami ji, I’ve been watching you. For three days, you have been talking to people without eating or drinking. It pains me to see this.”

Swami ji saw God in the kind heart of this poor man and gently asked, “Will you give me something to eat?”

The poor man was a cobbler by profession and belonged to a lower caste. In those days, people from lower castes were not even allowed to go near saints or Brahmins. So, the man hesitated and said, “Swami ji, I want to bring you some bread, but I belong to a lower caste… How can you eat something that I have touched?”

Then he added, “If you wish, I can bring the ingredients, and you can cook for yourself.”

Swami ji smiled and replied, “No, I will be happy to eat whatever you bring for me.”

The poor man was scared that others might punish him, but his love and respect for Swami ji were greater than his fear. He hurried home, baked fresh bread, and brought it for Swami ji.

Swami ji was deeply touched by the man’s kindness and selfless heart. He ate the bread and thanked the poor man with true gratitude.

Soon, some upper-caste people heard what had happened. They came to Swami ji and complained, saying he had made a mistake by accepting food from a low-caste man.

Swami ji calmly listened and then replied, “You all came to me for three days, asking your questions. Not even once did you care to ask if I had eaten or rested. And now, you criticize the only person who showed real care and love?”

He looked at them and asked, “You call yourselves noble and high-caste? What is more shameful—his love or your pride? How can you look down on this man and not be ashamed of yourselves?”

Hearing these words, the gentlemen bowed their heads in silence, ashamed of their behavior.

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