Climbing Chamundi Hill by Ariel Glucklich

Author:Ariel Glucklich
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

THE TEST

An ascetic once arrived at the doorstep of a king named Kushika. The king immediately recognized him as a holy man and showed him into the white stone palace. The ascetic strolled into the great entry hall without a glance at its grand fixtures, then announced that he would like to move in and stay with the king for an unspecified length of time. His exact words were, “O faultless man, for some time now my heart has desired to reside with you.”

The king was taken aback by that unexpected declaration and confessed how childish he found it to be. “Nonetheless, holy one, I shall do as you command,” he quickly added.

The sage smiled to himself. He told the king that he was tired and would like to be refreshed. The king, now joined by his wife, led the holy man to a gem-covered rosewood seat and brought a bowl of jasmine water for washing the holy man’s feet. The sage allowed one royal servant to wash his feet as he cooled down beneath a fan waved by another. In the meantime, the scent of fine incense pervaded the room for his olfactory pleasure. After the guest was thus refreshed, the king brought him some honey to sweeten his palate.

Then, with visible trepidation, with hands folded, the king betook himself before the great man and said, “Tell me, O holy one, how I may be of service to you now. Whatever is mine you can have. The palace, my wealth, my very throne are yours to enjoy if you so wish.”

The ascetic was clearly pleased with the king. “I do not want any of your things, noble king. Your wealth, power, and women do not interest me. What I would like is this: I intend to begin a special vow and I would like you and your wife to serve me unconditionally while I am thus engaged.”

This request filled the king with joy, and he immediately agreed to serve the excellent sage. The king summoned his wife, and the royal couple led their guest to his quarters in the palace, where a comfortable bed was neatly prepared. The sun was past its midday point, and the guest announced that he was hungry.

“What kind of food would the great sage like?” asked the queen.

“Bring an appropriate snack for someone like myself,” he answered vaguely. The two hosts hurriedly withdrew from the guest’s room and ran to the kitchen. They returned shortly, personally bearing trays with sliced fruit, cheeses, and sweets. As the holy man indifferently picked at this and that, the couple stood tensely by, waiting for his instructions. To their relief, the guest said nothing critical.

Now he seemed to be getting drowsy. “I should like to take a nap now,” he yawned. They were about to leave, but he stopped them. “No, stay here. Sit by the bed as I sleep, and whatever you do, do not leave and do not wake me up. Oh, and one more thing,”

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