The bare handed Baba was so called as

He never carried anything with him. He

Did not welcome any company in travel.

He didn’t store food for tomorrow, nor

Was his next meal, any of his concern.

Villagers used to ask him “Baba, is it wrong

To think of tomorrow?” He would reply:

“I don’t know. But this is the way I would

Like to live. I have surrendered myself to

God; and He will take care of my needs”.

Once a rich merchant renounced his wealth

And asked Baba “Can I follow you?” Baba

Said “Don’t follow me. But follow my way

Of life if you can.” Merchant said: “Then

Please give me a chance. If you find me

Not up to your expectation, I shall leave you”

On this condition merchant followed Baba.

They spent their night in an Inn. Next morn.

They started for the next village, which was

Far away. On the way nothing was available.

It was noon and sun was hot. No house or

Shelter was in sight. Merchant was tired

And hungry. They sat under a tree. Merchant

Took out two food packets from his bag, which

He had bought from the inn. He asked Baba

Whether he would take lunch. Baba agreed and

They ate the food brought by the merchant.

After lunch merchant asked Baba “Now don’t

You realize, it pays to be prudent? Had I not

The foresight to bring some food, we both would

Have starved. I saw no God bringing you food.”

Baba said “So far as I am concerned, it was God

Who provided my lunch today. It is a miracle.

But so far as you are concerned, there was no

Miracle, as you had no trust in God. You have

Therefore failed the test .It is time for us to part.

Henceforth we shall follow our separate ways.”

 

http://kvakutty.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/08/bare-handed-baba-story-poem.htm