The ashram's ox

The ashram’s ox                                                                                 

The ashram’s ox, Rajah, wandered away.

Two disciples were assigned to recover it – 

Ramdas plunged headlong into the task –

tracking down every lead;

interviewing all parties;

organizing searches into the surrounding area.

Shamaji wandered out alone,

bellowing the ox’s name.  
           

Months passed without success. 

Shamaji, the itinerant madman,

calling,  “Rajah! Rajah! Rajah!”, 

eventually, like the ox, wandered away. 

Ramdas became a valuable fixture in the ashram.

The Guru often spoke highly of him.

Concerning Shamaji, the Guru would only say,

“I am no longer his master.”

O child of God, explore the mystery’s infinite facets

or follow Shamaji into the hills beyond.

                            (from A Jewel in the Dust)