Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Swami Vivekananda and Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri

Maharaja Ajit Singh Bahadur (1861–1901) was a ruler of the Indian princely state of Khetri between 1870-1901. He was a close friend and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Ajit Singh is known for his monetary support he provided to Vivekananda, and encouraging him to speak at the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893.
Swami Vivekananda and Ajit Singh had a very intimate and cordial relationship. Vivekananda first visited Ajit Singh as a wandering monk in 1891. As a state-guest, Swamiji spent two and a half months at Khetri.
In the summer of 1891, Swamiji visited Mt. Abu in Rajaasthan and stayed in a cave on the banks of the Nakki Lake.  Later, at the importunate request of a Mussalman pleader, he agreed to stay in his house. After a few days, the pleader invited Munsi Jagmohanlal, the private secretary of the Maharaja of Khetri, to meet the Swami. When the Munshi questioned the propriety of the Swami's staying with a Mussalman, since his food might inadvertently be touched by him , Swamiji said, "I am above all such social conventions. I can dine even with a Bhangi (sweeper). I see Brahman everywhere, manifested even through the meanest creature. For me there is nothing high or low. Shiva, Shiva!"
The Swami passed many weeks with the Maharaja of Khetri, studying , teaching , and living the spiritual life. Though in a palace, he lived as a monk, in a constant communionwith his soul and his Master.Swamiji often visited the houses of his poorer devotees, and frequently are at the house of Pandit Shankar Lal, a poor Brahmin. The whole town of Khetri was enamoured of the Swami, and he treated the least of his admirers with the same love and affection as he showed to the Maharaja.   
(The palace of the Maharaja of Khetri where Vivekananda stayed. It is now the centre of Ramakrishna Mission) 

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