God lived with them

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Swami Advaitananda

Swami Advaitananda lived for a while at the Baranagore Monastery. He helped his brother monks with household work, and played tabla when Swamiji sang. Sometimes the young monks would tease him or make him the subject of practical jokes. Most of his disciples slept in one large room as they did not have many rooms. One night when Advaitananda went to the bathroom, Akhandananda replace his pillow with a brick. When Advaitananda returned, he discovered his brick-pillow. He smiled and said to Akhandananda: " Ganga (the premonastic name of Akhandananda), I know you have done this mischief. Brother, I shall use your precious gift tonight as my pillow." Akhandananda was very touched. Immediately he threw away the brick and brought back the pillow. With an apology, Akhandananda said," Brother, you are  a real monk- free from anger and ego."