When Govind touched the stale food, it turned into a hot and tasty dish

He didn’t look like a beggar, but he didn’t look normal either. He would not take anything from anyone; he would only laugh at the person offering something. And, he would not touch the thing placed near him. The people in the hamlet wondered who this strange man could be. Govind, one of the residents of the place was really devoted to this strange person. He used to follow him wherever he went. And, he would do all the service to that mendicant in spite of disapproval. Govind’s wife did not like her husband’s behavior. She warned him against this habit and threatened to drive him out. But Govind did not heed her words. But one day, his wife literally drove him out.

When Govind came to the mendicant, he asked him whether his wife had driven him out. Govind was surprised at his words. He wondered that the mendicant should be a Siddha as otherwise he could not know what happened at his house. The mendicant left Govind assuring that he would get food for him from his wife herself! Govind wondered, ‘how can he ask for food from my wife who dislikes this man with all her heart.’ Sitting at the mound of the Vinayaka temple, he fell asleep.

Govind’s wife was annoyed at the sight of the mendicant at her door. She wondered why he was there with a bowl. She decided to teach him a harsh lesson so that he wouldn’t even dream of coming to her house again. She went in and brought a pot containing stale rice, coked four days ago and emptied it into the bowl of the mendicant. The mendicant simply laughed at her action and returned to Govind with that stale rice. He awakened Govind and asked him to eat the stinking rice. Govind refused to eat it as it was disgusting. But when the mendicant insisted on his eating it, he thought that he should eat it at least for the sake of the mendicant who fetched it for him. When he touched the food, it turned into a very tasteful and hot dish! Govind was not able to believe his own eyes. He realized the greatness of the mendicant and fell at his feet.