Swami Vivekananda was travelling by train; he was on one of his many yatras to spread the message of his great master.

At that time, he had not acquired the name and fame that was to come to him later. To all onlookers, he looked like a young sanyasin in his orhre robes. It was a long, slow and tedious journey! Swamiji was hungry and thirsty. But he carried nothing with him; so he simply gazed out of the window at the passing scenery. As mid-day (and meal time) approached, a stout and wealthy sethia travelling in the same compartment, brought out a huge lunch basket. Out of the basket appeared a veritable feast of delicious items-puris, potatoes, packoras and bhajias. The aroma of the food filled the compartment.

As swamiji watched him eating, the sethia suddenly turned to him and said, “You can look at my food for as long as you like, but I will not offer you a morsel. You ochre-robed men are a curse on society! You thrive on others’ hard work. Why, you are nothing but a parasite!”

Swamiji smiled, and said, “It is enough if you eat; for you and I are one and the same.” In a short while, the train drew up at a busy station. On the platform was man carrying two huge baskets, anxiously peering into each compartment, looking for someone. When he saw Swami Vivekananda, his eyes lit up in recognition. Forthwith he climbed into the carriage and, setting the baskets at swamiji’s feet, bowed down before him and said, “Oh bless me, holy man of God! And pray do me the honour of accepting this simple repast that I have brought to offer you!”

Swamiji was amazed. Gently, he said to the stranger, “Brother, I think you are making a mistake. I do not know you at all!” “True it is that you do not know me, Swamiji,” the man acknowledged. “But I have been asked to look for you and offer you feed!” “By whom?” asked Swami Vivekananda in astonishment. “By the Lord Himself,” replied the man. “Let me explain, your holiness,” he continued. “This morning, as I was dozing after my meal, my Ishta-devta, Lord Shiva, appeared in a dream. He asked me to prepare a meal, and take into the railway station and offer it to a saint of God whom I would meet there. I awoke from my nap, and finding that it was only a dream, I went back to sleep. But the Lord appeared again - not once, not twice, but thrice - and urged me to take food to serve you. I own a sweet shop, Swamiji, and so I have brought lunch for you from home, along with the best sweets and mithai from my shop. I beg you to accept my humble offering and bless me in the name of Lord Shiva.”

Swamiji held the pious man’s hands in his own, and blessed him. Turning to the sethia, who was watching the scene with wideyed astonishment, Swami Vivekananda said gently, “Brother, I invite you to share with me the sweets that this generous friend has brought for us." Wordlessly, the sethia fell at the feet of Swami Vivekananda.