44.7: Nagnath removes crazy Bahira’s doubts

73. When Crazy Bahira saw this with his eyes, he was astonished and said to himself, ‘I am sure he will remove my doubt, and bring steadiness to my mind. Bahirambhat now said to Nagnath,

74. ‘Tell me plainly Am I a Hindu or a Muhammadan?’ Hearing this seemingly impudent speech, the Sadguru grew angry.

75. He had his staff in his hand and he at once struck him on his head. Bahirambhat immediately fainted and fell on to the ground.

76. He could remember nothing. His very life seemed to have disappeared. He had no consciousness of who he was. There was no more life in his body.

77. Nagnath having done this he said to himself, ‘I must entirely remove his misunderstanding. I must remove his doubt and put him on the way of understanding himself.’

78. He had a pestle brought by the hands of his disciples, and had his body pounded by them. Then having thus pounded his bones and flesh together, he made a lump of them with his hands.

79. He then made of it an image and with his own hands cremated it. All who looked at the strange doing were full of astonishment.

80. When the fire was out, Nagnath did a seemingly impossible thing. He looked upon it with an eye of compassion. A living force entered into it.

81. It was a divine body with all good qualities, such as Yogis enjoy and then sit contemplating the divine essence. Such a form Nagnath now saw. He felt great joy at heart.

82. The Sadguru then asked him who he was. ‘Bahirambhat, listen to my words. Tell me quickly who you are.’

83. Hearing this question, he thought for a while and then said, ‘Doubts have now disappeared.’ Saying this he remained silent.

84. ‘If I call myself a Muhammadan, yet my foreskin is already there; if I say I am a Brahman my ears look as if already pierced.’

85. Sadgurus teach the knowledge of philosophy, but who can change the body? Nagnath did that which was seemingly impossible and removed his great doubt.