Swami Vivekananda at Jaipur

(See photo information under photograph 7.) ❊ ❊ ❊ While Swamiji was staying with a Muslim in Rajputana he was asked by Munshi Jagmohanlal, private secretary to the Raja of Khetri, who seemed doubtful of his authenticity: “Well, Swamiji, you are a Hindu monk. How is it that you are living with a Muslim? Your food may now and then be touched by him.” At this question the swami flared up. He said, “Sir, what do you mean? I am a sannyasi. I am above all your social conventions. I can dine even with a bhangi [sweeper]. I am not afraid of God, for He sanctions it; I am not afraid of the scriptures, for they allow it; but I am afraid of you people and your society. You know nothing of God and the scriptures. I see Brahman everywhere, manifested even in the meanest creature. For me there is nothing high or low. Shiva, Shiva!” (LSV [Kolkata, 1979] 1:280)