एक महात्मा बड़ी सुन्दर वेदान्तकी कथा कहा करते। बहुत नर-नारी सुनने जाते। उनमें एक गरीब राजपूत भी था जो आश्रमके समीप एक कुएँके पास खोमचा लगाकर उबाले हुए चने-मटर बेचा करता था। वह बड़े ध्यानसे कथा सुनता। उसने एक दिनमहात्माजीसे कहा- ‘महाराज ! मैं इतने दिनोंसे मन लगाकर कथा सुनता हूँ; मैंने अन्वय-व्यतिरेकके द्वारा आत्माके स्वरूपको भी समझ लिया है। परंतु मुझे जो आत्मानन्द प्राप्त होना चाहिये, वह नहीं हो रहा है। इसका क्या कारण है।’ महात्माने कहा- ‘कोई प्रतिबन्धहोगा, उसके हटनेपर आत्मानन्दकी प्राप्ति होगी।’ खोमचेवाला चुप हो गया।
एक दिन वह कुएँके पास छायामें खोमचा लगाये बैठा था। गरमीके दिन थे। कड़ाकेकी धूप थी। गरम लू चल रही थी। दोपहरका समय था। इतनेमें एक चमार लकड़ियोंका बोझा उठाये वहाँ आया। वह पसीनेसे तर था। उसकी आँखें लाल हो रही थीं। बहुत थका था। कुएँके पास आते ही वह व्याकुल होकर गिर पड़ा और बेहोश हो गया। खोमचेवाले राजपूतने तुरंत उठकर उसको उठाकर छायामें सुलाया। कुछ देर अपनी चद्दरसे हवा की, फिर शरबत बनाकर थोड़ा-थोड़ा उसके मुँह में डालना शुरू किया। योंकरते-करते एक घंटा बीत गया। तब उसने आँखें खोलीं। खोमचेवालेने बड़े प्यारसे उसे दो मुट्ठी चने खिलाये और फिर ठंडा पानी पिलाया। वह बिलकुल अच्छा हो गया। उसके रोम-रोमसे आशीष निकल रही थी। उसने कृतज्ञताभरी आँखोंसे राजपूतकी ओर देखा और अपना रास्ता पकड़ा।
इसी समय राजपूतको आत्मानन्दकी प्राप्ति हो गयी। मानो उसका हृदय ब्रह्मानन्दमय हो गया। उसने महात्माके पास जाकर अपनी स्थितिका वर्णन किया। महात्माने कहा-‘ -‘तुमने निष्कामभावसे एक प्राणीकी सेवा की, इससे तुम्हारा प्रतिबन्ध कट गया। साधकमात्रको सर्वभूतहितैषी होना चाहिये।’
A Mahatma used to tell a very beautiful story of Vedanta. Many men and women go to listen. There was also a poor Rajput among them who used to sell boiled gram and peas by putting a kiosk near a well near the ashram. He listens to the story very carefully. One day he said to Mahatmaji – ‘ Maharaj! I listen to the story with my heart for so many days; I have also understood the nature of the soul through Anvaya-Vyatirek. But the bliss of self which I should get, is not happening. What is the reason for this.’ The Mahatma said- ‘There will be some restriction, when it is removed, the bliss of the soul will be attained.’ Khomchevala fell silent.
One day he was sitting near the well with a canopy in the shade. Were days of summer. It was hot sun. Hot sun was going on. It was the afternoon time. Meanwhile, a chamar came there carrying a load of wood. He was sweating. His eyes were turning red. Was very tired. As soon as he came near the well, he fell down distraught and fainted. Khomchewale Rajput immediately got up and picked him up and made him sleep in the shade. For some time he fanned the air with his blanket, then started making syrup and pouring it little by little into her mouth. An hour passed while doing this. Then he opened his eyes. Khomchewale lovingly fed him two handfuls of gram and then gave him cold water. He got completely well. Blessings were emanating from his every pore. He looked at the Rajput with grateful eyes and made his way.
It was at this time that Rajput attained Atmanand. As if his heart became blissful. He went to the Mahatma and described his situation. Mahatma said-‘ -‘ You served a creature selflessly, your ban was removed by this. The seeker should be well-wisher of all.’
