Darshan for Prisoners

The news of Swamigal reached the prison at Mitnapur where freedom fighters were imprisoned. Amongst them were college students, graduates, lawyers, doctors and others who had sacrificed their life for the sake of their country. Even though the prison officer was an Englishmen, the prisoners submitted a request that they be allowed to have darshan of Swamigal. Respecting their religious faith, the officer, upon certain conditions, let them out the prison and allowed them to visit the camp and have darshan of Swamigal. A police escort was sent with them to ensure that the prisoners did not escape. One of the other conditions was that they return by 6 p.m. Accepting all conditions, a group of prisoners left for the camp with the police escort. By the time they reached there it was 5:30 p.m. and Swamigal had just completed the nithya puja and was resting. The muttofficials were hesitant to wake Swamigal and advised the visitors that they could have darshan in ten minutes. Afraid that they would break the curfew, the prisoners headed back to the prison disappointed. Swamigal came out in a few minutes and the mutt officials appraised him of the prisoners who came and left without having darshan. Immediately, Swamigal sent someone to bring them back. They came back and prostrated before Swamigal. They prayed for his blessings for the freedom of the country and wished for all people to live in peace and happiness. They returned back to the prison in time, happy that they had the darshan of Swamigal. He was also very pleased at their devotion to their country.

---

The above is an excerpt from “Pujya Sri Mahaswamy Divya Charitram” by Sri Sambamoorthi Shastrigal, Sri Kuppuswamy Iyer, “Sollin Selvan” P. N. Parasuraman – 1957

---