THE OBEDIENT DISCIPLE

Today is Thursday and a Pradosham day too, Guru Pradosham, a day special for the Guru, as all Thursdays are. Sri Raghavan posted a beautiful piece on fb regarding Guru Namashivayar and his Guru Guhai Namashivayar, a story told to me by my Guru Supramania Swami when I met him for the very first time at Thiruvannamalai.

"His devotion and service is exemplary,

Let me test if He is matured spiritually?"

The Master called forth his disciple for the test,

And the disciple too arrived not knowing what was at best,

As the disciple came near, the Master vomited uncontrollably,

He collected all the vomit in a vessel and gave it to the disciple,

He said coolly, "Go and leave it at a place, where no feet can touch it!"

The disciple couldn't understand it at first, but later realized it was a test,

He looked at his Master with utmost love and devotion,

And in a gulp drank the spewed out potion,

The Master was awe struck at his disciple's unbelievable action,

Tears of love and respect ran down the Master's cheeks,

He hugged the disciple and blessed him for eternity,

He said, "My Dear One! The One who drank my vomit,

Just like Lord Shiva unhesitatingly drank the poison,

I confer upon you, my own realization, and,

From this instant onwards, you are your own Master!"

That was the devotion, a disciple had towards His Master,

Who did everything in his power to be of his Guru's use,

His name was Guru-nama-shivaya of Tiruvannamalai,

The disciple who happily took upon himself the Guru's ruse...

As usual we at Agathiyar Vanam will stream the Puja live today and tomorrow.