Devaraja Mudaliar: A whole volume could be written describing how Bhagavan practiced samatva (equality) and taught us constantly by his example. In his presence, all were alike, high or low, rich or poor, man or woman, child or adult, human or animal. Just as he himself treated all alike, he would never tolerate any special consideration or attention being shown to him more than to any other in the Ashram.
Many a time it happened that if he observed even a little excess in what was served to him of any dish or any delicacy above the quantity served to others, he would flare up with indignation and rebuke whoever was responsible. He used to say, “By doing such a thing you are disgracing me. There cannot be a greater disgrace than this.”
Once a visiting European lady was sitting opposite to Bhagavan in the hall. Being unaccustomed to squatting on the floor with legs crossed, she stretched out her legs in front. One of the attendants considered this disrespectful to Bhagavan and asked her to fold her legs. The poor lady felt that whereas she came to show respect she had done something disrespectful, and I had the impression that she almost wept with chagrin.
Bhagavan who reads the hearts and not acts felt unhappy for the distress caused to the lady. He told her there was no harm in sitting as was most comfortable to her, however, she could not be persuaded again to do so.
Bhagavan himself was stretching out his legs on the couch since rheumatism in his knees had made it painful to sit cross-legged for more than a short time. However, he now sat up cross-legged and could not be persuaded to relax again the whole day. He said, “If it is a rule for her, it is a rule for all. I too should not stretch out my legs.” However much we begged Bhagavan not to take notice of a foolish act on the part of an attendant, he could not be dissuaded at all. It was only the next day that we succeeded in getting him to stretch out his legs as usual whenever he felt like it.
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