Bhagavan’s Children - The Dogs

*1.Speechless Appeal*

Jagadeeswara Shastri and his wife were devotees of Bhagavan. They lived in Ramana Nagar near the Ashram. 

They had a dog, which would accompany them to the Ashram every day. He would come and sit quietly in front of Bhagavan with Jagadeeswara Shastri. He was a particularly intelligent dog and a very well behaved one as well. 

When his master Jagadeeswara Shastri left the hall, the dog would also leave the hall with him. He was very keen to come to the hall and sit in front of Bhagavan. People tried to prevent the dog from coming to the hall but it was no use. 

Bhagavan also said, "Let him come. He is not harming anybody. He sits in front of me and goes back."

Once Jagadeeswara Shastri and his wife entrusted the dog to somebody and went to Madras (Chennai) for fifteen days. 

During the first four or five days, the dog used to search for them, go round the hall, and then go about all the places which Jagadeeswara Shastri and his wife used to frequent. He got tired and even perhaps disgusted with those fruitless efforts. 

Finally, one morning at about 10 O'clock, the dog came to the hall. He stood near Bhagavan's sofa, staring fixedly at Bhagavan. 

At that time Suri Nagamma was sitting in the first row. Bhagavan was reading the newspaper. Krishnaswami and others tried to send the dog out by threats but in vain. Nagamma also asked the dog to go out. But the dog did not move. 

Bhagavan's attention was diverted by this noise. Bhagavan observed for a while the look of the dog, which was staring at him. 

Bhagavan put the paper aside and, understood the silent language of the dog. He waved his hand towards him and said, "Why, what is the matter? You are asking where your people have gone. Oh, I see, I understand. They have gone to Madras. They will be back in a week. Don't be afraid. Don't be worried. Be calm. Is it all right? Now, go." Hardly had Bhagavan completed his instructions, the dog turned and left.

Soon after that Bhagavan remarked to Nagamma, "Do you see that? The dog is asking me where his people have gone and when they are returning. However much the people here tried to send him away, he would not move until I answered his questions."

Once, it seems, the lady of the house, Mrs. Jagadeeswara Shastri punished the dog with a cane for something he had done and locked him up in a room for half a day. 

After he was let out, he came straight to Bhagavan as if to complain against her and stayed in the Ashram for four or five days without going to their house. 

Bhagavan arranged food for the dog and when Jagadishwara Shastri's wife came to the Ashram, Bhagavan admonished her, "What have you done to the dog? Why is he angry with you? He came and complained to me. Why? What have you done?" She admitted her fault in Bhagavan's presence and, with a good deal of cajoling, got the dog to go home with her.

 *2. Territorial Rights*

Usually the dogs have their own territory with the boundaries marked. A dog from one territory cannot trespass another dog's territory.

Once, when an Ashram dog saw a new dog from another territory trespass into the Ashram, he was very angry and barked at the intruder. He was trying to fight with the new dog to drive him away from the Ashram. According to him, the Ashram belonged only to him. The ashramites were trying to pacify the Ashram dog and prevent him from fighting with the new dog.

When Bhagavan came out from the hall, and saw the situation he felt amused and said, "This dog is also like human beings. Is it not natural for those people, who come earlier and get established, to feel that the place belongs to them and try to boss over the new comer?" 

Then he turned towards the dog and said "why do you bark at the new comer and boss over it? Let the new dog also stay. Leave this place and go and sit in your place." 

Hearing this, the Ashram dog left the place obediently and quietly.

 *3. The Red Dog*

When Bhagavan was living on the hill, a male puppy used to come to the ashram. They named him Seguppan because he was almost red in color. He was a very quite and peaceful loving dog. He would never go to fight with any other dogs. 

"He is a Jnani" Bhagavan used to say. He was always with Bhagavan during day time. After evening he would go back to his house in the town. When Bhagavan told him to take the new devotees round the Arunachal Hill, he would guide them showing them the important places round the hill and bring them back to the ashram.

He used to take his food only twice a day at fixed hour. He would not touch at other times. Even if anybody gave him to eat something he would not touch it. 

In the evening exactly at 5 O' clock, he would come to Bhagavan and touch his feet. Then Bhagavan would tell the ashramites, it is 5 O' clock Seguppan has to go back to his home in the town. Will you give him his food?" 

The Ahramites would give Seguppan his meal. After eating, Seguppan would go down to his house, spend the night there, and again would be present in the ashram early next morning to be with Bhagavan.

 *4. Dog Prefers Bhagavan's Company*

Sri K. Swaminathan in his reminiscences in 'Face to Face with Bhagavan:

Bhagavan succeeded in being a friend of everyone - saint or sinner, prince or peasant, learned or ignorant, cow, dog or monkey. 

J.C. Molony (a district collector) who had gone to the hill to have darshan of Bhagavan has recorded how his dog preferred the company of Bhagavan to his own.

"After visiting the sage on the hill, when I reached my camp, one of my dogs was missing. When the evening arrived The holy man came, leading the dog truant on a string. 

The sage said, 'He came back to me, and I should have liked to keep him. But why should I steal him from you?'"

All were welcome to his charmed circle. Bhagavan gave freedom to all to enjoy his Saameepya (nearness) and his Soulabhya (easy accessibility).

Source:

The Friend of All