21. As I Observed

Swami Narayanananda Saraswati

Swami Venkatesananda is a great man of a very high order, and yet his heart is as pure and simple as that of a child. Whatever may the Shastras say about the signs of greatness, it is through sheer good fortune that one can find such a beautiful combination of head and heart with childlike simplicity. From my own acquaintance with him, I could make out that he was an incarnation of real greatness. Whenever I drew near him, I could realise such a peculiar unity between intellect and feelings that I had no other desire but to look at him and listen to his instructions. Similar was the desire in every other visitor, too, as I observed. What else can there be that is so much expressive of greatness? He is quite averse to popular fame. I had occasions to come in touch with many great men, but I felt his company extremely wonderful. How and with what endeavour could this greatness be achieved? If this were comprehensible, and if it were possible to act up to this method with ease, probably our mind would run after it.