Just before the Swamijí's departure for the West, the Maharaja of Khetri, who had already become his initiated disciple, accompanied the Swami as far as Jaipur. On this occasion the Maharaja was being entertained one evening with music by a nautch-girl.
The Swami was in his own tent when the music commenced. The Maharaja sent a message to the Swami asking him to come and join the party. The Swami sent word in return that as a Sannyasin he could not comply with such a request. The singer was deeply grieved when she heard this, and sang in reply, as it were, a song of the great Vaishnava saint, Surdas. Through the still evening air, to the accompaniment of music, the girlís melodious voice ascended to the ears of the Swami
O Lord, look not upon my evil qualities!
Thy name O Lord, is Same-sightedness.
One piece of iron is in the image in the temple,
And another is the knife in the hand of the butcher;
But when they touch the philosopher's stone,
Both alike turn to gold.
So, O Lord, look not upon my evil qualities!
One drop of water is in the sacred Jumna,
And another is foul in the ditch by the roadside;
But when they fall into the Ganga
Both alike become holy.
So, Lord, do not look upon my evil qualities!
Thy name, O Lord, is Same-sightedness
The Swami was completely overwhelmed. The woman and her meaningful song at once reminded him that the same Divinity dwells in the high and the low, the rich and the poor in the entire creation. The Swami could no longer resist the request, and took his seat in the hall of audience to meet the wishes of the Maharaja.
Speaking of this incident later, the Swami said, that incident removed the scales from my eyes. Seeing that all are indeed the manifestations of the One, I could no longer condemn anybody.