The Untouchable Who Touched Swami’s Heart
When Swami Vivekananda visited Rajputana, people flocked to him for three days and nights, eager to discuss spirituality, India, and Dharma. Unknown to all, he had not eaten during that entire time.
After the crowd dispersed, a man from a lower caste quietly brought raw ingredients and said,
“I noticed you haven’t eaten. I am considered untouchable and shouldn’t cook for you. Please take these and prepare your own meal.”
Swamiji’s heart broke — how could such a kind soul feel inferior due to an outdated social system? With gentle insistence, he begged the man to prepare food for him. The man cooked, and Swamiji ate gratefully.
With tears in his eyes, Swamiji said,
“There are thousands like this man in our country, living humbly yet full of kindness. We have wrongly rejected them as untouchables.”
The King of Khetri honored the man with gifts and ensured he lived with dignity until his last breath.