Colonel J.C. McKenna of Rajput Regiment Centre in Fatehgarh was a strict
disciplinarian and had absolutely prohibited sadhus
from entering the army camp and the soldiers from having any kind of
association with them. Due to their fear of the colonel, the army
personnel visited Baba in secret while he was encamped nearby at
Kilaghat and returned soon after having his darshan.
Baba
wanted to bring about a change in the colonel's behavior, so one day he
went to the colonel's house in his absence and lay on his bed. The
attendant on duty humbly requested him not to do so, but Baba did not
heed him. When the colonel arrived, the attendant informed him of the
situation. McKenna went into his room in a bad temper and as was his
nature, scolded Baba. He was stunned to see that it had no effect on
him. Instead, smiling in his natural manner, Baba just gazed at him.
Under the unique influence of Baba's smile, the colonel's heart
changed. He not only apologised and offered Baba some oranges, but also
became his first western devotee and removed all the restrictions he
had imposed on sadhus. As Baba's devotee he kept
on progressing in his career and retired as general.
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