Rm22. Taking Alms (Biksha)

RAMANA MAHARISHI A beggar asking for alms And a sanyasi taking alms Are not one and the same, But differ in each name. A beggar goes for alms But a sanyasi for biksha. Cooked or uncooked items A beggar willingly takes, A sanyasi takes only raw items Like uncooked dhal and rice, As they must cook it once a day, Withoutkeeping it for next day. If there is anything excess, It must be given to others, Without keeping it for self use, Like this, there are strict rules. Ramana as a young sanyasi, He went out very rarely, Asking for biksha from anyone, Or for that matter, everyone. Temple Poojari used to give him Washed rice water sometime, He drank that salt-free water As God's gift to satisfy his hunger. Another time he had taken Three handful of curd rice As Biksha in the house Of Krishna Iyer at nights. Rarely did he go for any feast. But he was forced to eat, In the house his grandfather, By name Ramachandra Iyer. Two people carried him And used force at that time So, there was no other way He had to eat only that day. Next time, a Mutt's Head Carried him away to his Mutt, And in the midst of ten servants He couldn't escape, but had to eat. Not so particular he was For taking his daily meals Or any other food in preference, As a Sanyasi, he had no choice.