Gerald D'Cunha

A Swamiji taught his disciples, everyday, under the tree outside his Ashram. While he taught, his ashram-cat would run around and disturb his class. So, the Swamiji gave a standing instruction to his disciples that the cat had to be tied to the tree before he started his class.  From that day on, before the Master would commence his class, the disciples would religiously tie the cat to the tree. It became a religious custom, which the disciples strictly followed… They tied it right at the appointed hour… and, they did it with a lot of ceremony around it. Tying the cat was mandatory – very important – for them. The Master’s class would not begin, unless the cat was tied to the tree! Sometime later, the Swamiji died. The senior-most disciple became the teacher and continued to teach the disciples. However, the tradition of tying the cat to the tree continued with the same pomp and gusto. They would tie the cat, bang on the appointed momen...