It is an ancient Indian custom for monks to live on alms. One day the Master asked his disciples to go out and beg for food. This act helps eradicate the ego and teaches one to depend solely on God. Narendra, Niranjan, Kali, and Hutko Gopal first went to Holy Mother and asked for alms, chanting this hymn on the goddess Annapurna:
O Parvati, the goddess of food, whose store is overflowing,
O beloved of Shankara, give me alms so that I may attain knowledge and wisdom.
The merciful mother, taken by surprise, gave them a handful of alms. They then went from door to door begging for food. Some gave them rice, some gave vegetables or fruit. Some scolded them, saying: “You young fellows, are you not ashamed to beg for food disguised as beggars? Go away and find a job.” Some remarked: “These young men are robbers. They have come to get information so that they can return at night and rob us.” The young disciples endured all kinds of criticism. When at last they returned to the Master with their alms, he was very pleased. Holy Mother cooked a portion of the food. After partaking of it, the Master remarked: “The food obtained from begging is pure. It is not defiled by anyone’s selfish desire. I am very pleased to eat it today.” (Source: God Lived with Them)