SWAMI VIVEKANANDA - Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture

Memorable Events in the Life of Swami Vivekananda 19
Swamiji often used to tell his disciples that he who
does not try to do good to others can hardly be called a
sannydsin. He repeatedly said that a sannyasin is born
to live for others, to comfort the afflicted—be she a
mother who has lost her son or a sad widow. He is there
to redress the worldly suffering of mortals as well as to
take care of their spiritual need by arousing their latent
spirituality.
* * *
Swamiji held Pavhari Baba in high esteem. He knew
the yogi personally. While in Ghazipur, Swamiji heard
that once a thief entered into Baba's hut to rob him of
his few belongings. As the thief was about to leave the
place with the stolen goods, the yogi woke up. This
frightened the thief and he threw down everything and
started running away. Pavhari Baba promptly picked up
the things and followed the thief. Finally, after a hot
chase, he caught the thief and begged him to accept the
goods. 'All these are yours, Narayana', Baba told the
thief, who stared at him in disbelief.
Years later during his wanderings in the Himalayas
Swamiji one day noticed a sadhu of luminous
appearance. After some conversation Swamiji became
convinced that the sadhu was of a high order. But he
was astonished when the latter said, '1 was that thief
who attempted to steal from the saint!' The monk
continued his confession : 'When Pavhari Baba handed
me everything that belonged to him with a smile and