24/12/2025
An Excerpt from the Book “Pathavariyada Payaniga"
Working in Hotels:
In Munirabad, an agency for a bottled beverage called “Pai” had been taken up, and a small factory was started. I was called to work as a salesman. When I went there, I was told that the company was running at a loss. I had gone there after taking a loan. Disheartened, I went to the Mayura Bar and Restaurant, located near the Hospet bus stand. Someone there said, “You look like a well-educated young man from a good background. Don’t you have any work?” I replied, “It’s all right, I am ready to do any kind of work.”
I started working there as a waiter. Within a short time, I learned both the waiter’s job and the bar work, and within a month I became the manager. Eventually, the responsibility of running the hotel was handed over to me, while the owners started spending their time at the Ispit Club. The hotel began to run at a loss. I left that place and wandered through Ballari, Bagalkote, Bijapur, Hubballi, Dharwad, Solapur and many other towns, working in hotels. As soon as I earned about 500 rupees in tips, I would leave that place and move on to another town.
Finally, I worked as a General Supervisor at the large Woodland Hotel in Tumakuru. In this way, I went through many experiences and met many strange people. My ego was completely shattered, and I became a new person. I gained an understanding of the problems faced by the working class. Seeing the hardships of the boys who cleaned tables, I helped them, bought them clothes, and gave them money to watch movies.
In the end, my drinking increased so much that my hands began to tremble. I started wandering from place to place and eventually reached Chitradurga. The bus stand became my night shelter. While roaming around, I went to the Syndicate Bank in Chitradurga and greeted the manager. His name was Sudheer Rao, though I did not know him at that time. I asked him for help of 100 rupees. When he asked why, I said, “Sir, I need money to drink.” He was shocked and angry. “So early in the morning you come and ask for money to drink? How dare you?” he said. I replied, “The government liquor shop opens at 6 in the morning, what can I do? I am an artist.” Then I briefly told him about myself.
He said, “Go downstairs to the Vijaya Bank. There is a manager there. If you bring 25 rupees from him, I will give you 500 rupees.”
I went there directly. The manager’s name was Kini, as I saw on the name board. I greeted him saying, “Namaskara, Kini Mama.” He asked, “What do you want?” I explained the matter and said, “If you give me 25 rupees, I will get 500 rupees.” I assured him that I would immediately bring the money back and show it. He gave me the money. I took it to the Syndicate Bank manager and showed it to him. He was immediately amazed. He took me to his house for a meal. He was a musician. After the meal, I sang a song, and everyone was delighted.
While giving me 500 rupees, he said, “I have worked in many branches across this country. Many people lie—saying they are sick or that they have lost their purse—and take money. You are the only one who told the truth, that you wanted money to drink. You will become a great person one day. Whenever you need help, call me.” Saying this, he gave me his address and sent me off.
After coming to the Bevinakoppa Ashram, I continued to write letters to him. I informed him that I had taken sannyasa, given up drinking, and started a program called ‘Become Strong, Become Free from Addictions.’ He was very happy to hear this.
In this journey on an unknown path, Swamiji finally reached Bevinakoppa. Yet, his habit of sharing with everyone and giving to those in need only grew stronger. Even when he had nothing in his hands, whenever he felt the urge to give, Nityananda Bhagavan would somehow ensure that resources reached him.
From the donations received at the ashram, Swamiji has supported the education of poor children, provided benches, books, bags, and computers to children in government schools, given sewing machines to poor girls, rebuilt collapsed houses of the poor, and established a Health Dham for the sick. None of this was publicized anywhere. No matter how much one speaks about his selfless service to society, it will never be enough. Let us also take part in this selfless service and become recipients of the grace of Bhagavan Nityananda.
To know more in detail about the spiritual journey and life path of Vijnananda (Vijayananda) Swamiji, please read the book “The Path-Unknowing Traveler.”
— Nityashree (Compilation)
