In Madras, Vivekananda’s followers began to raise money and make the necessary arrangements for his departure. In the meantime, Raja Ajit Singh of Khetri, who was a disciple of Swamiji, asked him to come to Khetri and bless his newborn son. He also offered to provide the ticket for his passage to America. Swamiji consented and went to Khetri for the birthday function. One evening while he was there, the Maharaja invited him to attend a musical performance by a dancing girl. However, Vivekananda sent word that, as a monk, he was not permitted to enjoy secular pleasures. The girl was hurt when she heard the message and sang this plaintive song, which reached the swami’s ears:
Look not, O Lord, upon my sins!
Is not same-sightedness Thy name?
One piece of iron is in the image in the temple,
And another, the knife in the hand of the butcher;
Yet both of these are turned to gold
When touched by the philosophers’ stone.
So, Lord, look not upon my evil qualities… .
Swamiji was deeply moved. This dancing girl, whom society condemned as impure, had taught him a great lesson: Brahman, the ever-pure, everfree, ever-illumined, is the essence of all beings. He immediately realized his mistake and joined the party. He later said: “That incident removed the scales from my eyes. Seeing that all are indeed the manifestation of the One, I could no longer condemn anybody.” (Source: God Lived with Them)