Every visitor who came to see Baba would bring along food prepared with their magnificent culinary skills. The hope was that Baba would taste some of their offerings when he came outside to inspect the community kitchen. Wealthy individuals, scholars, nobles, and government officials would daily present a feast of colorful dishes. Baba would taste a few bites while strolling around, and then all the food would be served in the community kitchen.
After this preamble, let us delve into a true story of salty tears and deep humility—the story of a lower-caste Hindu woman, a sweeper by trade, known as a *bhangan* (also called *mehatarani* in some places).
This sweeper woman came to the community kitchen daily. Inspired by the sight of the rich and prominent people bringing food, she decided to bring her own offering one day. When she prepared the food, she felt too intimidated to place her humble, worn-out pots alongside the dishes of nobles and affluent individuals. Her heart pounded with nervousness as she clutched her bundle tightly. What could she do? In the end, trembling and embarrassed, she tied her bundle to a branch of a guava tree outside the court and, with her head bowed, sat quietly in the verandah.
The kitchen staff rang the bell. Servants of the nobles, the affluent, and the followers began setting out their dishes, pots, and pans on the dining tables. Baba emerged from his room, and there was a commotion of “Move aside, make way!” Baba, navigating through the tables, reached the verandah. Yet, Baba had not yet tasted anyone’s food. The servants were anxious; if Baba tasted the food, the community kitchen would open. A flurry of activity ensued, with no one daring to ask questions or intervene.
Suddenly, Baba’s voice resonated: “Bring the food that is hanging on the tree.” Upon hearing Baba’s command, the servants, followers, women, children, the elderly, the wealthy, and the poor all rushed towards the trees and plants. Which food? Whose food? Which tree? No one knew. They simply followed Baba’s order, searching frantically for the food and the tree.
Baba stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching as the crowd scrambled. No one had the courage to step forward and inquire about the tree or the food. Seeing the chaos, Baba smiled and went outside the court to the guava tree. There, he himself untied the bundle from the branch and sat down to eat the sweeper woman’s food.
The sweeper woman, witnessing this unprecedented event, was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. She became ecstatic, chanting jubilantly and crying tears of happiness. Her heart swelled with the recognition and respect she had never expected, and she sobbed and sang with an intense mixture of emotions, overwhelmed by the grace shown by Baba.
Baba’s gesture not only honored her humble offering but also conveyed a profound message about the equality and dignity of every individual, regardless of their social status.
