While in Gondal a painful boil appeared behind the calf of Swamishri's right leg. Daily, a new dressing was applied. One day in the hall outside his room, Swamishri was meeting the devotees individually, dealing with their personal problems. For many thousands of devotees he is a universal pacifier, adviser and reassurer. One devotee sat at Swamishri's feet and began talking of his problems. After a while, in his love for Swamishri, he began massaging Swamishri's legs. He was totally unaware of the boil on the right leg, and that even the slightest pull on the skin around the boil would cause agonizing pain.
Twice, in a very casual manner, Swamishri tried to pull his leg away. The devotee however, could not understand the meaning of this action. Swamishri himself did not even let the devotee know of the pain he was causing. Compassionately and calmly he carried on listening keenly interested his problems. When Swamishri's attendant sadhu saw the devotee massaging Swamishri's leg, he was aghast and realized Swamishri's position immediately. He cried to the devotee "Swami has a boil on his leg! Let go! You must be hurting him!" It was only then that the devotee realized and apologized. Swamishri didn't utter a single word of reproach to him. He bore the pain to accept the service of a loving devotee. |
