A swami sat under a tree in meditation and minding his own business. Along came a villager who, for some reason was enraged by the sight of this peaceful man and he started to goad him.
“What good are you doing by sitting like that? he demanded.
The swami did not reply.
“Have you nothing to say for yourself? Can’t you even justify your actions? Do you suppose that anyone is better off for your behaviour?”
Still no word from the swami who sat as though the man who was shouting at him did not exist. This aggravated the villager even more. From being annoying he started to become very rude. Terrible invective was hurled at the silent man and he was called the worst and most insulting names.
Even the crowd that had naturally gathered around was shocked and remonstrated with the angry villager, to no effect. He now treated it as a challenge and his foul language and abuse grew wilder and more and more vulgar.
At last the swami opened his eyes and decided to respond. Every time the man called him a bad name the swami replied by naming some delicious food.
The man called him a filthy pig. The swami said, “Masala dosa.”
The man called him a dog, the swami said, “Payasam.”
The man called him the son of a donkey, the swami said, “Vadai.”
The crowd became fascinated. They asked, “Why oh swamiji? When that man calls you such bad names why do you reply by naming tasty food?”
The swami replied, “Whatever that man says, he has to swallow. Whatever I say I have to swallow.”