THE YOGI AND HIS TWO DISCIPLES

In the forests of ancient Tamil Nadu there lived a Raja Yogi; a practitioner of the ancient art of breathing. A very humble and simple Man who did not live by the norms and rules of society but who lived by the laws and practices of nature. The Yogi was a well-built Man in his early fifties who had lived in the forests from the age of twelve and learnt his art at the feet of his Master.

Though humble and simple this Raja Yogi had immense powers that others could not even dream off. His powers were spoken of with awe throughout the entire region. However, the people of the region though awed by his miracles found him a bit weird in behavior and spirit.

The Yogi looked very impressive in build and physique. To add to his impressive countenance, he had a rather flowing beard with tufts of white, grey and black making it a vibrant one. People came from near and far to meet the Yogi and pay respects to him. Some of them even hoped that the Yogi would accept them as a disciple but they all went back very disappointed.

It was at this time that two friends from the city named Subbu and Anbu went hunting in the forests. As the deer sped away from them Subbu and Anbu went further into the forest penetrating the dense jungle. Suddenly, the dear reached a clearing where a hut was situated and vanished from their sight.

As Subbu and Anbu stood there not knowing what to do, the Yogi emerged from the hut; for it was indeed his Ashram and he lived and prayed there. He demanded to know who Subbu and Anbu were and when they told him about the magical deer that vanished the Yogi was amazed. He realized that it was a divine hand that had sent them here and asked Subbu and Anbu if they were willing to learn the great arts under his tutorage.

The boys had already heard about the great Yogi and were overjoyed to serve as his disciples. Years passed and the Yogi diligently trained them and transferred his knowledge to his two pupils. Finally the time arrived when the two boys had graduated so to speak and they were independent Yogis in their own right. However, the two pupils had a request of their Yogi that they wanted him to fulfill before they would graduate. Both of them wanted the Yogi to visit their respective houses in the city and spend some time with them and their families.

After a lot of hesitation the Yogi agreed to the invitation. He decided to first visit Anbu’s home and family. Having arrived from the forest that morning he decided to rest awhile at Anbu’s house. Anbu’s family was overjoyed to receive the Yogi. Anbu introduced the Yogi to all his family members commencing from his parents to the last of his siblings. After a heavy breakfast the Yogi stretched out his body on the bed as he prayed for the welfare of the family that had provided him such warm hospitality.

Suddenly the Yogi jumped out of his bed and exclaimed, “Oh my God!” He called Anbu and told him that an evil spirit resided in his residence and that he the Yogi could not stay in this house anymore. He suggested that he stay in a separate house and not be asked to sleep in Anbu’s house as it would only harm him the Yogi as well as the members of Anbu’s family.

Anbu felt suddenly humiliated by the Yogi’s behavior. He believed his master was deliberately insulting him by refusing to stay in his house and begged his master not to leave his house. The Yogi was adamant he said that he would not stay in the house but Anbu was all the more pleading. He told the Yogi that if he left Anbu’s house Anbu’s parents would consider it as a great insult and his family honor would be slighted. He therefore requested the Yogi not to go and the Yogi bound by the wishes of his disciple stayed on at Anbu’s house.

That night there was a great commotion arising out of the Yogi’s bedroom. The Yogi was shouting, “Get away and leave me in peace you vile old spirit”. Anbu and his entire family rushed to the Yogi’s bedroom and found the Yogi in a state of epilepsy as it were. The Yogi was screaming writhing and contorting his body as he rolled and thrashed on the floor. After a while the seizures stopped and the Yogi got of the floor and began hurling a string of profanities at all those gathered particularly Anbu’s parents.

Anbu had no other option but to hurriedly shunt the Yogi outside the house and shove him far away from the house. Once clear of the house the Yogi began to become normal and walked away quietly as Anbu pleaded with him to forgive him and come back home again. Since it was soon to be dawn the Yogi then proceeded to Subbu’s house to spend a couple of days there.

The reception that the Yogi received at Subbu’s residence was as great as it was at Anbu’s residence, if not even more. Everyone including Subbu’s parents prostrated at the feet of the great Yogi. A regal breakfast was provided. After the heavy breakfast, the Yogi stretched out his body on the bed as he prayed for the welfare of the family that had provided him such warm hospitality.

Suddenly the Yogi jumped out of his bed and exclaimed, “Oh my God!” He called Subbu and told him that an evil spirit resided in Subbu’s residence and that he the Yogi could not stay in his house anymore. He suggested that he stay in a separate house and not be asked to sleep in Subbu’s house as it would only harm him the Yogi as well as the members of Subbu’s family.

Subbu was surprised to hear his Master say this. What would his parents think? He wondered if the master would change his mind but realized that as a student it was his duty to obey the Master. He immediately took the Yogi to an inn nearby where he made arrangements for the best room therein to be provided to his Master. The Yogi then consoled Subbu saying “Even though I may not be able to stay at your house tonight, be assured that my presence will be with you throughout the night. Do not panic if you hear any unnatural sounds and ask all the members of your family to remain in their beds even in the event of any noise or occurrence. Now go sleep in the assurance that I am protecting your family”, he said.

That night there was a great commotion arising out of Subbu’s bedroom. The Yogi could be heard shouting, “You vile old spirit, I will not let you get away this time”. Subbu woke up with a start but remembering his Yogi’s advice he stayed calm in bed.

The next morning Subbu’s mother went into their garden to find that her plants that had not bloomed for ages were suddenly in full bloom and the whole garden looked lovely. She kept mumbling, “The curse is lifted, the curse is lifted…” That morning Subbu’s elder brother too woke up to hear the good news that his wife who had been barren for six years had conceived. There was great rejoicing in the house.

Subbu then rushed to the lodging house to meet the Yogi and found the Yogi in a calm and serene mood. He thanked the Yogi for having conquered the evil spirit that was destroying their peace. The Yogi replied, “It was your obedience that saved you not me. You must thank your obedient spirit for that.” The Yogi then returned to Subbu’s home and stayed with them happily for a few days more.