Saint Eknath Ji: The Profound Lesson of Unwavering Acceptance and Tolerance
Saint Eknath ji used to take bath in Godavari river pilgrimage in Maharashtra in his daily routine. There some local people commented about the purity of EkNath ji. With their evil mind they decided to destroy the sanctity of Eknath ji.
When one of the men saw Eknath ji coming back after bathing in the Godavari River, he decided to spit on him. He did exactly the same. Without seeing who spat on him, Eknath ji went back to the Godavari River and took bath there. When EkNath ji came back after taking bath, the man again spit on him.
EkNath ji again went towards the river without paying attention to the person who had spit on him.
“This happened 100 times in a single day”.
Now after 100 times, when Eknath ji was coming back from Godavari river, the person who was about to spit on Eknath ji again had a cross question in his mind.
He asked himself-
“Why are you spiting on this Saint?
This Saint has not lost his peace and contentment; he is still the same”.
He went to the feet of EkNath ji confessing his mistake; Apologizing with folded hands;
“I am the one who was spitting on you .I am your sinner".
Eknath ji replied;
It's okay, only because of you I received 100 times the pilgrimage river bathing benefits in just one day. The person goes to the feet of EkNath Ji and requests him to have the mercy of becoming like EkNath Ji.
Concluding all above the lesson we learn from this Sakhi is -
The real key powers of a true devotee are "Acceptance & Tolerance".
All of us on the path of spirituality face various challenges, just like we face in worldly development. Spiritual challenges are somewhat different in their way of teaching us lessons. Spiritual challenges teach us to enhance our inner quality with the goal of shining our soul.
Such as; If there comes a time in your life when society despises you and leaves you alone. This face of life rejuvenates the hidden strength of the soul; Tolerance and acceptance ! When the devotee delves deeply into the path of spirituality he brings these key powers, that even if the outside world tries to break the devotee from his path, they come out with greater strength and absorption power.