Once, Shriji Maharaj was staying in Jetalpur. The devotees had lovingly prepared a swing on a banyan tree, adorned with fine cushions. Maharaj gracefully sat upon it, presenting a captivating sight: a vibrant red cloth tied around his waist, a white khesh (a shawl) draped over his shoulder, a white turban on his head, a stick in one hand, and traditional padukas on his feet.
Saints gently swayed Maharaj, while attendants fanned him with a magnificent fan featuring a golden handle. Thousands of devotees were captivated, lost in the joyful darshan (sight) of Maharaj. Some blew conch shells, others played cymbals, drums, and various musical instruments, filling the air with celebratory sounds. Everyone reveled in the blissful atmosphere.
As Maharaj swayed on the swing, a great multitude of devotees pressed in, each holding floral garlands. Maharaj graciously extended his hand to accept them. Sometimes he took a garland on his lap, other times on his head, and occasionally directly around his neck. He even accepted some on his stick. Soon, both of Maharaj’s hands were full of garlands. He placed some on the banyan tree’s branches, and the stick in his hand became laden with garlands on both ends, leaving only the center free. Then, Maharaj lifted the garland-laden stick onto his shoulders like a kavad (a traditional carrying pole), transforming into a charming, mischievous young Kanaiya (Lord Krishna) heading out to tend cows.
While this delightful Hindola-Leela (festival of swings) was unfolding, a poor Brahmin arrived from a distant land. His clothes were tattered, and he had clearly endured a long and arduous journey. His sole hope was to have Maharaj’s darshan.
Though impoverished, he refused to approach Maharaj empty-handed. Therefore, he carried two humble cucumbers, one in each hand, safeguarding them as if they were his very life. He stood in a corner amidst the large crowd, praying silently, “Lord, I am a poor man. How can I possibly navigate this sabha? It feels improper for someone as humble and poor as me to stand among this grand gathering. Yet, I am helpless, for I am consumed by an intense desire to prostrate myself at your feet. I have come all this way, overcoming great difficulties, solely to offer these cucumbers to you. Now, everything is in your hands.”
Indeed, for those who believe that everything rests in Maharaj’s hands, Maharaj always provides. And so it was for the Brahmin.
Suddenly, Maharaj dismounted from the swing and, to everyone’s surprise, began to move through the dense crowd directly towards the Brahmin. The astonished crowd parted, making way for Maharaj.
Maharaj crossed the sabha and reached the Brahmin. He extended both his hands, accepting the two cucumbers from the Brahmin—one in his right hand, the other in his left.
The Brahmin’s joy knew no bounds; his life’s goal had been achieved. Tears of happiness streamed from his eyes as he prostrated himself at Maharaj’s feet. Maharaj then arranged for the Brahmin’s stay and food, instructing a devotee, “Please serve this devotee with food and other necessities.”
The Brahmin, overwhelmed, exclaimed, “What? Does Maharaj worry so much for me? Does he care so deeply? He should! Why would he forget his devotee when he looks after the entire world?”
Maharaj then returned to his seat, all the while biting into the cucumbers he held. He alternated, taking a bite from the cucumber in his right hand, then from the one in his left. Maharaj continued to eat the cucumbers in the presence of thousands of people. The astonishing thing was that he was relishing the humble cucumbers more than any sweet. On that day, the seemingly valueless cucumbers became more precious than the finest sweets.
Moral: If you do bhakti of Bhagwan with full faith, devotion, and humility, then Bhagwan will care for all of his devotees equally, no matter their condition.