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From
Pauper to Prince:
On
a winter evening, Swami went for a bath along with other saints
and devotees at the Narayan pond, which was constructed by Shriji
Maharaj. After a bath, Swami narrated the infinite religious
importance of this pond. After sunset there was a chilly atmosphere.
Swami expressed a desire to sit near a fire. At a little distance
from that place, a Muslim wood-cutter and his mother were sitting
with a bundle of sticks.
One of the devotees went over to them and asked them for some
sticks by saying: "There is an old sadhu with us, who is
shivering with cold. Will you give us some sticks? The wood-cutter
looked at his mother quizzically, "Son, it seems he is
a true fakir. Give him the whole bundle. He will bless us. Take
two sticks from my bunch also so that I am also emancipated."
Saying these words the old lady gave two sticks from her bundle
also. The wood-cutter gave away the whole of his bunch. Swami
was pleased to know about the good-will of the old lady and
said, "Now she will not have to cut wood any longer."
After sitting by the fire for some time, Swami and others returned
to the temple.
The wood-cutter Baauddin and his mother went home after selling
the sticks. That very night Baauddin went out along with his
sister to the market for some work. It was at that time that
the Nawab was riding out in state. The Nawab saw Baauddin's
sister. The Nawab was impressed by her youth and beauty and
desired to marry her. He called both of them to his court and
expressed his desire. Next day, after obtaining consent from
his mother, Baauddin got his sister married to the Nawab. Thereafter,
with the passage of time, Baauddin rose to the position of the
Personal Assistant of the Nawab and eventually became the Diwan
(Chief Minister) of the State. But Baauddin always remembered
that his progress was due to the blessings of Swami and therefore,
he paid regular visits to the temple. He used to donate food
and thereby render service to the saints. In this way when graced
by a mere glance of swami, Baauddin became a prince from a pauper.
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