##22 (Vivekananda) Narendra's Visit To Varanasi Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

To Narendra, monastic life meant,
Control over lower nature first,
The realization of God then,
Thro’ constant meditation.

While following this process,
As well disciplined ascetics,
It shouldn’t also be painful
To any of his brother disciples

The day to day incidents,
And the current world events,
Should be known to them,
To keep up with the time.

On topics like world histories,
Other philosophical theories,
Compared to Hindu systems,
They held deep discussions.

Some devotees questioned,
“Have we now realized God,
By following all these days,
Such strict austere measures? ”

Narendra then furiously asked,
“If we haven’t realized God,
Should we lose our higher nature,
And return to a life, far inferior? ”

As monks wandered normally
From place to place periodically,
Staying at the same place,
Some of them became restless,

To enhance their spiritual values,
They wished to visit holy places.
A solitude life, Narendra wished for
To gain inner strength more and more.

Also he wanted other disciples
Should take care of their lives,
Not depending on him always,
That would build self-confidence.

At first, he went to Varanasi,
The learned pundits there, to see.
In their midst, he felt uplifted.
A peaceful atmosphere, he found.

There, some monkeys, one day,
Chased him on his way,
A monk there told him,
“Don’t run, but face them.”

When he turned and faced,
In fear, they all disappeared.
This taught him a good lesson.
“Face all dangers, don’t run.”