ONCE, a sage was lying by the roadside deeply immersed in Samadhi. A thief while passing by that way, saw him and thought: "This fellow here must be a thief. He must have broken into some houses last night, and is now sleeping through exhaustion. The police will be very soon here to catch him. So let me escape in time." Thus cogitating he ran away. Soon after, a drunkard came there, and seeing the sage, said: "Helloa! You have fallen into the ditch by drinking too much. Eh! I am steadier than yourself and am not going to tumble down." Last of all there came a sage, and realising that a great saint was lying in the state of Samadhi, sat down by his side and began to stroke his holy feet gently.
Thus our worldly tendencies prevent us from recognising true holiness and piety. (180)