The Tiger Swami

“I have discovered the Tiger Swami’s address. Let us visit him tomorrow.”

“I’ve found the Tiger Swami’s address. Let’s visit him tomorrow.”

This welcome suggestion came from Chandi, one of my high school friends. I was eager to meet the saint who, in his premonastic life, had caught and fought tigers with his naked hands. A boyish enthusiasm over such remarkable feats was strong within me.

This welcome suggestion came from Chandi, one of my high school friends. I was eager to meet the saint. Before becoming a monk, he had caught and fought tigers with his bare hands. Such remarkable feats filled me with boyish enthusiasm.

The next day dawned wintry cold, but Chandi and I sallied forth gaily. After much vain hunting in Bhowanipur, outside Calcutta, we arrived at the right house. The door held two iron rings, which I sounded piercingly. Notwithstanding the clamor, a servant approached with leisurely gait. His ironical smile implied that visitors, despite their noise, were powerless to disturb the calmness of a saint’s home.

The next morning was bitterly cold, but Chandi and I set out cheerfully. After a long, fruitless search in Bhowanipur, outside Calcutta, we found the right house. The door had two iron rings, which I rattled with a piercing noise. Despite the racket, a servant approached at an unhurried pace. His ironic smile suggested that visitors, however noisy, were powerless to disturb the peace of a saint’s home.

Feeling the silent rebuke, my companion and I were thankful to be invited into the parlor. Our long wait there caused uncomfortable misgivings. India’s unwritten law for the truth seeker is patience; a master may purposely make a test of one’s eagerness to meet him. This psychological ruse is freely employed in the West by doctors and dentists!

Sensing the silent disapproval, my companion and I were grateful to be invited into the sitting room. The long wait there made us uneasy. In India, patience is an unwritten rule for anyone seeking truth. A master may deliberately test how eager someone is to meet him by making them wait. Doctors and dentists in the West freely use this psychological trick too!

Finally summoned by the servant, Chandi and I entered a sleeping apartment. The famous Sohong [^6] Swami was seated on his bed. The sight of his tremendous body affected us strangely. With bulging eyes, we stood speechless. We had never before seen such a chest or such football-like biceps. On an immense neck, the swami’s fierce yet calm face was adorned with flowing locks, beard and moustache. A hint of dovelike and tigerlike qualities shone in his dark eyes. He was unclothed, save for a tiger skin about his muscular waist.

When the servant finally called us, Chandi and I entered a bedroom. The famous Sohong [^6] Swami was sitting on his bed. The sight of his enormous body had a strange effect on us. We stood speechless, our eyes wide. We had never seen such a chest or such football-like biceps. Above his massive neck, the swami’s fierce yet calm face was framed by long hair, a beard, and a moustache. His dark eyes hinted at the qualities of both a dove and a tiger. He wore nothing but a tiger skin around his muscular waist.

Finding our voices, my friend and I greeted the monk, expressing our admiration for his prowess in the extraordinary feline arena.

Once we could speak again, my friend and I greeted the monk. We told him we admired his skill in the extraordinary arena of contests with cats.

“Will you not tell us, please, how it is possible to subdue with bare fists the most ferocious of jungle beasts, the royal Bengals?”

“Could you please tell us how you can subdue the fiercest jungle beasts, royal Bengal tigers, with your bare fists?”

“My sons, it is nothing to me to fight tigers. I could do it today if necessary.” He gave a childlike laugh. “You look upon tigers as tigers; I know them as pussycats.”

“My sons, fighting tigers is nothing to me. I could fight them today if necessary.” He gave a childlike laugh. “You see tigers as tigers. I know them as pussycats.”

“Swamiji, I think I could impress my subconsciousness with the thought that tigers are pussycats, but could I make tigers believe it?”

“Swamiji, I think I could convince my subconscious mind that tigers are pussycats. But could I convince tigers that they’re pussycats?”

“Of course strength also is necessary! One cannot expect victory from a baby who imagines a tiger to be a house cat! Powerful hands are my sufficient weapon.”

“Of course strength is necessary too! You can’t expect a baby who mistakes a tiger for a house cat to win! My powerful hands are all the weapons I need.”

He asked us to follow him to the patio, where he struck the edge of a wall. A brick crashed to the floor; the sky peered boldly through the gaping lost tooth of the wall. I fairly staggered in astonishment; he who can remove mortared bricks from a solid wall with one blow, I thought, must surely be able to displace the teeth of tigers!

He asked us to follow him to the patio, where he struck the edge of a wall. A brick crashed to the floor. The sky peered boldly through the gap, like a missing tooth in the wall. I nearly staggered in amazement. A man who could knock bricks out of a solid wall with one blow, I thought, could surely knock out tigers’ teeth!

“A number of men have physical power such as mine, but still lack in cool confidence. Those who are bodily but not mentally stalwart may find themselves fainting at mere sight of a wild beast bounding freely in the jungle. The tiger in its natural ferocity and habitat is vastly different from the opium-fed circus animal!

“Some men have physical strength like mine, but still lack calm confidence. Men who are physically strong but not mentally strong may faint just seeing a wild beast bounding freely through the jungle. A tiger showing its natural ferocity in its own habitat is vastly different from a circus animal fed opium!

“Many a man with herculean strength has nonetheless been terrorized into abject helplessness before the onslaught of a royal Bengal. Thus the tiger has converted the man, in his own mind, to a state as nerveless as the pussycat’s. It is possible for a man, owning a fairly strong body and an immensely strong determination, to turn the tables on the tiger, and force it to a conviction of pussycat defenselessness. How often I have done just that!”

“Many men with enormous strength have still been frightened into complete helplessness by a royal Bengal tiger’s attack. In this way, the tiger has made the man feel as weak and helpless as a house cat. But a man with a fairly strong body and an immensely strong determination can turn the tables on the tiger. He can make the tiger believe it is as defenseless as a house cat. How often I have done just that!”

I was quite willing to believe that the titan before me was able to perform the tiger-pussycat metamorphosis. He seemed in a didactic mood; Chandi and I listened respectfully.

I was quite willing to believe that the giant before me could turn a tiger into a pussycat. He seemed ready to teach us a lesson. Chandi and I listened respectfully.

“Mind is the wielder of muscles. The force of a hammer blow depends on the energy applied; the power expressed by a man’s bodily instrument depends on his aggressive will and courage. The body is literally manufactured and sustained by mind. Through pressure of instincts from past lives, strengths or weaknesses percolate gradually into human consciousness. They express as habits, which in turn ossify into a desirable or an undesirable body. Outward frailty has mental origin; in a vicious circle, the habit-bound body thwarts the mind. If the master allows himself to be commanded by a servant, the latter becomes autocratic; the mind is similarly enslaved by submitting to bodily dictation.”

“The mind controls the muscles. The force of a hammer blow depends on the energy applied. The power a man expresses through his body depends on his forceful will and courage. The mind literally creates and sustains the body. Under pressure from instincts carried over from past lives, strengths or weaknesses gradually enter human consciousness. These strengths or weaknesses emerge as habits, which then harden into a desirable or undesirable body. Physical frailty begins in the mind. In a vicious circle, the body, bound by habit, then holds the mind back. If a master lets a servant give him orders, the servant becomes a tyrant. In the same way, the mind becomes enslaved when it submits to the body’s demands.”

At our entreaty, the impressive swami consented to tell us something of his own life.

At our urging, the impressive swami agreed to tell us a little about his own life.

“My earliest ambition was to fight tigers. My will was mighty, but my body was feeble.”

“My first ambition was to fight tigers. My will was powerful, but my body was weak.”

An ejaculation of surprise broke from me. It appeared incredible that this man, now “with Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear,” could ever have known weakness.

I cried out in surprise. The man now had “Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear.” It seemed incredible that he could ever have known weakness.

“It was by indomitable persistency in thoughts of health and strength that I overcame my handicap. I have every reason to extol the compelling mental vigor which I found to be the real subduer of royal Bengals.”

“I overcame my limitation by never giving up my thoughts of health and strength. I have every reason to praise the powerful mental strength I discovered was the true force for subduing royal Bengals.”

“Do you think, revered swami, that I could ever fight tigers?” This was the first, and the last, time that the bizarre ambition ever visited my mind!

“Do you think, respected swami, that I could ever fight tigers?” That was the first and last time such a bizarre ambition ever crossed my mind!

“Yes.” He was smiling. “But there are many kinds of tigers; some roam in jungles of human desires. No spiritual benefit accrues by knocking beasts unconscious. Rather be victor over the inner prowlers.”

“Yes.” He was smiling. “But there are many kinds of tigers. Some roam in the jungles of human desire. Knocking beasts unconscious brings no spiritual benefit. Instead, overcome the beasts prowling within you.”

“May we hear, sir, how you changed from a tamer of wild tigers to a tamer of wild passions?”

“Sir, could you tell us how you went from taming wild tigers to taming wild passions?”

The Tiger Swami fell into silence. Remoteness came into his gaze, summoning visions of bygone years. I discerned his slight mental struggle to decide whether to grant my request. Finally he smiled in acquiescence.

The Tiger Swami fell silent. His gaze grew distant as memories of years gone by came to him. I could sense his slight inner struggle as he decided whether to grant my request. Finally, he smiled in agreement.

“When my fame reached a zenith, it brought the intoxication of pride. I decided not only to fight tigers but to display them in various tricks. My ambition was to force savage beasts to behave like domesticated ones. I began to perform my feats publicly, with gratifying success.

“When my fame reached its peak, I became drunk with pride. I decided not only to fight tigers but also to show them performing various tricks. My ambition was to force wild beasts to behave like tame animals. I began performing my feats in public, with success that pleased me.

“One evening my father entered my room in pensive mood.

“One evening my father came into my room in a thoughtful mood.

“‘Son, I have words of warning. I would save you from coming ills, produced by the grinding wheels of cause and effect.’

“‘Son, I have a warning for you. I want to spare you the troubles ahead, brought on by the grinding wheels of cause and effect.’

“‘Are you a fatalist, Father? Should superstition be allowed to discolor the powerful waters or my activities?’

“‘Do you believe everything is determined by fate, Father? Should superstition be allowed to muddy the powerful currents of my actions?’

“‘I am no fatalist, son. But I believe in the just law of retribution, as taught in the holy scriptures. There is resentment against you in the jungle family; sometime it may act to your cost.’

“‘I don’t believe everything is predetermined, son. But I believe in the fair law of retribution taught in the holy scriptures. The jungle family resents you. Someday that resentment may bring you harm.’

“‘Father, you astonish me! You well know what tigers are-beautiful but merciless! Even immediately after an enormous meal of some hapless creature, a tiger is fired with fresh lust at sight of new prey. It may be a joyous gazelle, frisking over the jungle grass. Capturing it and biting an opening in the soft throat, the malevolent beast tastes only a little of the mutely crying blood, and goes its wanton way.

“‘Father, you amaze me! You know very well what tigers are: beautiful but merciless! Even just after a huge meal of some unfortunate creature, a tiger feels a fresh bloodlust at seeing new prey. The prey may be a joyful gazelle, bounding through the jungle grass. The cruel beast catches the gazelle and bites into its soft throat. The tiger tastes only a little of the blood that cries out silently, then wanders off, killing without need.

“‘Tigers are the most contemptible of the jungle breed! Who knows? my blows may inject some slight sanity of consideration into their thick heads. I am headmaster in a forest finishing school, to teach them gentle manners!

“‘Tigers are the most contemptible animals in the jungle! Who knows? My blows may knock some small measure of sense and consideration into their thick heads. I’m the headmaster of a finishing school in the forest, teaching tigers gentle manners!

“‘Please, Father, think of me as tiger tamer and never as tiger killer. How could my good actions bring ill upon me? I beg you not to impose any command that I change my way of life.’”

“‘Please, Father, think of me as a tiger tamer, never a tiger killer. How could my good actions bring me harm? I beg you not to order me to change my way of life.’”

Chandi and I were all attention, understanding the past dilemma. In India a child does not lightly disobey his parents’ wishes.

Chandi and I paid close attention, understanding the earlier dilemma. In India, a child does not take disobeying their parents’ wishes lightly.

“In stoic silence Father listened to my explanation. He followed it with a disclosure which he uttered gravely.

“Father listened to my explanation in silence, showing no emotion. Then he revealed something in a serious tone.

“‘Son, you compel me to relate an ominous prediction from the lips of a saint. He approached me yesterday as I sat on the veranda in my daily meditation.

“‘Son, you leave me no choice but to share a saint’s ominous prediction. He approached me yesterday as I sat on the veranda during my daily meditation.

“’”Dear friend, I come with a message for your belligerent son. Let him cease his savage activities. Otherwise, his next tiger-encounter shall result in his severe wounds, followed by six months of deathly sickness. He shall then forsake his former ways and become a monk.“’

“’”Dear friend, I bring a message for your aggressive son. He must stop his savage activities. Otherwise, his next encounter with a tiger will leave him severely wounded, followed by six months of life-threatening illness. He will then give up his old ways and become a monk.“’

“This tale did not impress me. I considered that Father had been the credulous victim of a deluded fanatic.”

“This story did not impress me. I thought Father had been too trusting and had fallen victim to a deluded fanatic.”

The Tiger Swami made this confession with an impatient gesture, as though at some stupidity. Grimly silent for a long time, he seemed oblivious of our presence. When he took up the dangling thread of his narrative, it was suddenly, with subdued voice.

The Tiger Swami made this confession with an impatient gesture, as though reacting to some stupidity. He stayed grimly silent for a long time, seeming unaware of our presence. Then he suddenly picked up his unfinished story in a quiet voice.

“Not long after Father’s warning, I visited the capital city of Cooch Behar. The picturesque territory was new to me, and I expected a restful change. As usual everywhere, a curious crowd followed me on the streets. I would catch bits of whispered comment:

“Not long after Father’s warning, I visited the capital city of Cooch Behar. I had never visited this beautiful region before and expected a restful change. As usual, a curious crowd followed me through the streets, just as crowds did everywhere I went. I would overhear bits of whispered comments:

“‘This is the man who fights wild tigers.’

“‘This is the man who fights wild tigers.’

“‘Has he legs, or tree-trunks?’

“‘Does he have legs or tree trunks?’

“‘Look at his face! He must be an incarnation of the king of tigers himself!’

“‘Look at his face! He must be the king of tigers himself in human form!’

“You know how village urchins function like final editions of a newspaper! With what speed do the even-later speech-bulletins of the women circulate from house to house! Within a few hours, the whole city was in a state of excitement over my presence.

“You know how village children act like the final editions of a newspaper! How quickly the women’s even newer spoken news updates spread from house to house! Within a few hours, the whole city was excited about my presence.

“I was relaxing quietly in the evening, when I heard the hoofbeats of galloping horses. They stopped in front of my dwelling place. In came a number of tall, turbaned policemen.

“I was relaxing quietly one evening when I heard the hoofbeats of galloping horses. The horses stopped in front of my home. Several tall policemen wearing turbans came inside.

“I was taken aback. ‘All things are possible unto these creatures of human law,’ I thought. ‘I wonder if they are going to take me to task about matters utterly unknown to me.’ But the officers bowed with unwonted courtesy.

“I was startled. ‘All things are possible for these agents of human law,’ I thought. ‘I wonder if the officers are going to call me to account for things I know nothing about.’ But the officers bowed with unusual courtesy.

“‘Honored Sir, we are sent to welcome you on behalf of the Prince of Cooch Behar. He is pleased to invite you to his palace tomorrow morning.’

“‘Sir, we have been sent to welcome you on behalf of the Prince of Cooch Behar. He is happy to invite you to his palace tomorrow morning.’

“I speculated awhile on the prospect. For some obscure reason I felt sharp regret at this interruption in my quiet trip. But the suppliant manner of the policemen moved me; I agreed to go.

“I thought about the prospect for a while. For some unclear reason, I deeply regretted the interruption to my quiet trip. But the policemen’s pleading manner moved me, and I agreed to go.

“I was bewildered the next day to be obsequiously escorted from my door into a magnificent coach drawn by four horses. A servant held an ornate umbrella to protect me from the scorching sunlight. I enjoyed the pleasant ride through the city and its woodland outskirts. The royal scion himself was at the palace door to welcome me. He proffered his own gold-brocaded seat, smilingly placing himself in a chair of simpler design.

“I was bewildered the next day when I was escorted from my door with excessive deference. I was led into a magnificent coach drawn by four horses. A servant held a decorated umbrella to shield me from the scorching sun. I enjoyed the pleasant ride through the city and its wooded outskirts. The prince himself stood at the palace door to welcome me. He offered me his own seat, covered in gold brocade. Smiling, he sat in a simpler chair.

“‘All this politeness is certainly going to cost me something!’ I thought in mounting astonishment. The prince’s motive emerged after a few casual remarks.

“‘All this politeness is definitely going to cost me something!’ I thought, growing more astonished. After a few casual remarks, the prince’s motive became clear.

“‘My city is filled with the rumor that you can fight wild tigers with nothing more than your naked hands. Is it a fact?’

“‘There’s a rumor all over my city that you can fight wild tigers with just your bare hands. Is that true?’

“‘It is quite true.’

“‘It's quite true.’

“‘I can scarcely believe it! You are a Calcutta Bengali, nurtured on the white rice of city folk. Be frank, please; have you not been fighting only spineless, opium-fed animals?’ His voice was loud and sarcastic, tinged with provincial accent.

“‘I can hardly believe it! You are a Calcutta Bengali, raised on the white rice city people eat. Be honest, please. Haven’t you been fighting only spineless animals fed on opium?’ His voice was loud and sarcastic, with a hint of a provincial accent.

“I vouchsafed no reply to his insulting question.

“I gave no reply to his insulting question.

“‘I challenge you to fight my newly-caught tiger, Raja Begum. [^6] If you can successfully resist him, bind him with a chain, and leave his cage in a conscious state, you shall have this royal Bengal! Several thousand rupees and many other gifts shall also be bestowed. If you refuse to meet him in combat, I shall blazon your name throughout the state as an impostor!’

“‘I challenge you to fight my newly captured tiger, Raja Begum. [^6] If you can withstand his attacks, chain him, and leave his cage still conscious, this royal Bengal tiger is yours! You will also receive several thousand rupees and many other gifts. If you refuse to fight him, I will publicly declare you an impostor throughout the state!’

“His insolent words struck me like a volley of bullets. I shot an angry acceptance. Half risen from the chair in his excitement, the prince sank back with a sadistic smile. I was reminded of the Roman emperors who delighted in setting Christians in bestial arenas.

“His insulting words hit me like a volley of bullets. I snapped back an angry acceptance. The prince had half risen from his chair in excitement. He sank back with a sadistic smile. He reminded me of the Roman emperors who delighted in putting Christians in arenas with wild beasts.

“‘The match will be set for a week hence. I regret that I cannot give you permission to view the tiger in advance.’

“‘The match will be scheduled for a week from now. I’m sorry I can’t let you see the tiger beforehand.’

“Whether the prince feared I might seek to hypnotize the beast, or secretly feed him opium, I know not!

“I don’t know whether the prince feared I might try to hypnotize the beast or secretly feed him opium!

“I left the palace, noting with amusement that the royal umbrella and panoplied coach were now missing.

“I left the palace, amused to notice that the royal umbrella and richly decorated carriage were now missing.

“The following week I methodically prepared my mind and body for the coming ordeal. Through my servant I learned of fantastic tales. The saint’s direful prediction to my father had somehow got abroad, enlarging as it ran. Many simple villagers believed that an evil spirit, cursed by the gods, had reincarnated as a tiger which took various demoniac forms at night, but remained a striped animal during the day. This demon-tiger was supposed to be the one sent to humble me.

“The following week I carefully prepared my mind and body for the ordeal ahead. Through my servant, I heard fantastic tales. The saint’s grim prediction to my father had somehow spread, growing more exaggerated as people repeated it. Many simple villagers believed an evil spirit, cursed by the gods, had been reborn as a tiger. They believed the tiger took various demonic forms at night but remained a striped animal during the day. This demon-tiger was supposedly the one sent to humble me.

“Another imaginative version was that animal prayers to Tiger Heaven had achieved a response in the shape of Raja Begum. He was to be the instrument to punish me-the audacious biped, so insulting to the entire tiger species! A furless, fangless man daring to challenge a claw-armed, sturdy-limbed tiger! The concentrated venom of all humiliated tigers-the villagers declared-had gathered momentum sufficient to operate hidden laws and bring about the fall of the proud tiger tamer.

“Another imaginative story claimed that animal prayers to Tiger Heaven had been answered in the form of Raja Begum. He would be the instrument to punish me, the brazen two-legged creature who so insulted the entire tiger species! A man without fur or fangs daring to challenge a tiger armed with claws and powerful limbs! The villagers declared that the combined hatred of all humiliated tigers had gathered enough force to set hidden laws working. Those laws would bring down the proud tiger tamer.

“My servant further apprized me that the prince was in his element as manager of the bout between man and beast. He had supervised the erection of a storm-proof pavilion, designed to accommodate thousands. Its center held Raja Begum in an enormous iron cage, surrounded by an outer safety room. The captive emitted a ceaseless series of blood- curdling roars. He was fed sparingly, to kindle a wrathful appetite. Perhaps the prince expected me to be the meal of reward!

“My servant also told me that the prince was in his element organizing the fight between man and beast. He had overseen the construction of a storm-proof pavilion built to hold thousands. At its center, Raja Begum was held in an enormous iron cage, surrounded by an outer safety room. The captive let out a constant stream of blood-curdling roars. He was given little food to make him angry and hungry. Perhaps the prince expected me to be his reward, a meal!

“Crowds from the city and suburbs bought tickets eagerly in response to the beat of drums announcing the unique contest. The day of battle saw hundreds turned away for lack of seats. Many men broke through the tent openings, or crowded any space below the galleries.”

“Crowds from the city and suburbs eagerly bought tickets in response to drumbeats announcing the unique contest. On the day of the battle, hundreds were turned away because there were no seats left. Many men forced their way through openings in the tent or crowded into any space below the galleries.”

As the Tiger Swami’s story approached a climax, my excitement mounted with it; Chandi also was raptly mute.

As the Tiger Swami’s story neared its climax, my excitement grew. Chandi, too, listened in captivated silence.

“Amidst piercing sound-explosions from Raja Begum, and the hubbub of the somewhat terrified crowd, I quietly made my appearance. Scantily clad around the waist, I was otherwise unprotected by clothing. I opened the bolt on the door of the safety room and calmly locked it behind me. The tiger sensed blood. Leaping with a thunderous crash on his bars, he sent forth a fearsome welcome. The audience was hushed with pitiful fear; I seemed a meek lamb before the raging beast.

“Raja Begum’s piercing roars mixed with the noise of the somewhat frightened crowd as I quietly appeared. I wore only a small covering around my waist, with no other clothing to protect me. I unbolted the safety room door and calmly locked it behind me. The tiger sensed blood. He leaped against his bars with a thunderous crash and gave me a terrifying welcome. The audience fell silent with a fear that was pitiful to see. I seemed like a meek lamb before the raging beast.

“In a trice I was within the cage; but as I slammed the door, Raja Begum was headlong upon me. My right hand was desperately torn. Human blood, the greatest treat a tiger can know, fell in appalling streams. The prophecy of the saint seemed about to be fulfilled.

“In an instant, I was inside the cage. But as I slammed the door, Raja Begum lunged straight at me. My right hand was badly torn. Human blood, the greatest treat a tiger can know, poured out in horrifying streams. The saint’s prophecy seemed about to come true.

“I rallied instantly from the shock of the first serious injury I had ever received. Banishing the sight of my gory fingers by thrusting them beneath my waist cloth, I swung my left arm in a bone-cracking blow. The beast reeled back, swirled around the rear of the cage, and sprang forward convulsively. My famous fistic punishment rained on his head.

“I recovered instantly from the shock of the first serious injury I had ever suffered. I hid my bloodied fingers beneath my waist cloth to put them out of sight. Then I swung my left arm in a bone-cracking blow. The beast staggered back, wheeled around the rear of the cage, and lunged forward with a violent jerk. I rained my famously punishing punches on his head.

“But Raja Begum’s taste of blood had acted like the maddening first sip of wine to a dipsomaniac long-deprived. Punctuated by deafening roar, the brute’s assaults grew in fury. My inadequate defense of only one hand left me vulnerable before claws and fangs. But I dealt out dazing retribution. Mutually ensanguined, we struggled as to the death. The cage was pandemonium, as blood splashed in all directions, and blasts of pain and lethal lust came from the bestial throat.

“But Raja Begum’s taste of blood was like a maddening first sip of wine for an alcoholic long denied alcohol. With deafening roars, the beast’s attacks grew fiercer. Defending myself with only one hand was not enough, leaving me vulnerable to claws and fangs. But I struck back with stunning blows. Both covered in blood, we fought as if to the death. The cage was chaos, with blood splashing in all directions. Cries of pain and a fierce desire to kill burst from the beast’s throat.

“‘Shoot him!’ ‘Kill the tiger!’ Shrieks arose from the audience. So fast did man and beast move, that a guard’s bullet went amiss. I mustered all my will force, bellowed fiercely, and landed a final concussive blow. The tiger collapsed and lay quietly.

“‘Shoot him!’ ‘Kill the tiger!’ The audience shrieked. The man and tiger moved so fast that a guard’s bullet missed. I gathered all my willpower, roared fiercely, and delivered one final, crushing blow. The tiger collapsed and lay still.

“Like a pussycat!” I interjected.

“Like a pussycat!” I chimed in.

The swami laughed in hearty appreciation, then continued the engrossing tale.

The swami laughed heartily in appreciation, then continued the captivating story.

“Raja Begum was vanquished at last. His royal pride was further humbled: with my lacerated hands, I audaciously forced open his jaws. For a dramatic moment, I held my head within the yawning deathtrap. I looked around for a chain. Pulling one from a pile on the floor, I bound the tiger by his neck to the cage bars. In triumph I moved toward the door.

“Raja Begum was finally defeated. I humbled his royal pride even further by boldly forcing his jaws open with my badly cut hands. For a dramatic moment, I held my head inside the gaping deathtrap. I looked around for a chain. I pulled one from a pile on the floor and chained the tiger’s neck to the cage bars. In triumph, I moved toward the door.

“But that fiend incarnate, Raja Begum, had stamina worthy of his supposed demoniac origin. With an incredible lunge, he snapped the chain and leaped on my back. My shoulder fast in his jaws, I fell violently. But in a trice I had him pinned beneath me. Under merciless blows, the treacherous animal sank into semiconsciousness. This time I secured him more carefully. Slowly I left the cage.

“But that devil in the flesh, Raja Begum, had stamina worthy of his supposed demonic origins. With an incredible lunge, he snapped the chain and leaped onto my back. With my shoulder gripped in his jaws, I fell hard. But in an instant, I had him pinned beneath me. Under my merciless blows, the treacherous animal became barely conscious. This time I secured him more carefully. Slowly I left the cage.

“I found myself in a new uproar, this time one of delight. The crowd’s cheer broke as though from a single gigantic throat. Disastrously mauled, I had yet fulfilled the three conditions of the fight-stunning the tiger, binding him with a chain, and leaving him without requiring assistance for myself. In addition, I had so drastically injured and frightened the aggressive beast that he had been content to overlook the opportune prize of my head in his mouth!

“I found myself surrounded by another uproar, this time of delight. The crowd cheered as though with one gigantic voice. Although badly mauled, I had still met the fight’s three conditions. I had stunned the tiger, bound him with a chain, and left him without needing help myself. In addition, I had injured and frightened the aggressive beast so badly that he had passed up an easy prize. He had let my head escape his mouth!

“After my wounds were treated, I was honored and garlanded; hundreds of gold pieces showered at my feet. The whole city entered a holiday period. Endless discussions were heard on all sides about my victory over one of the largest and most savage tigers ever seen. Raja Begum was presented to me, as promised, but I felt no elation. A spiritual change had entered my heart. It seemed that with my final exit from the cage I had also closed the door on my worldly ambitions.

“After my wounds were treated, I was honored and given flower garlands. Hundreds of gold coins showered down at my feet. The whole city began celebrating. Everywhere, people talked endlessly about my victory over one of the largest and most savage tigers ever seen. Raja Begum was given to me, as promised, but I felt no joy. A spiritual change had come over my heart. It seemed that when I left the cage for the last time, I also shut the door on my worldly ambitions.

“A woeful period followed. For six months I lay near death from blood poisoning. As soon as I was well enough to leave Cooch Behar, I returned to my native town.

“A painful time followed. For six months, I lay near death from blood poisoning. As soon as I was well enough to leave Cooch Behar, I returned to my hometown.

“‘I know now that my teacher is the holy man who gave the wise warning.’ I humbly made this confession to my father. ‘Oh, if I could only find him!’ My longing was sincere, for one day the saint arrived unheralded.

“‘I know now that my teacher is the holy man who gave the wise warning.’ I humbly admitted this to my father. ‘Oh, if only I could find him!’ My longing was sincere, for one day the saint arrived without warning.

“‘Enough of tiger taming.’ He spoke with calm assurance. ‘Come with me; I will teach you to subdue the beasts of ignorance roaming in jungles of the human mind. You are used to an audience: let it be a galaxy of angels, entertained by your thrilling mastery of yoga!’

“‘Enough tiger taming.’ He spoke with calm confidence. ‘Come with me. I will teach you to tame the beasts of ignorance roaming in the jungles of the human mind. You are used to an audience. Let your audience be a galaxy of angels, thrilled by your mastery of yoga!’

“I was initiated into the spiritual path by my saintly guru. He opened my soul-doors, rusty and resistant with long disuse. Hand in hand, we soon set out for my training in the Himalayas.”

“My saintly guru guided me onto the spiritual path. He opened the doors of my soul, rusty and hard to move after so long without use. Hand in hand, we soon set out for my training in the Himalayas.”

Chandi and I bowed at the swami’s feet, grateful for his vivid outline of a life truly cyclonic. I felt amply repaid for the long probationary wait in the cold parlor!

Chandi and I bowed at the swami’s feet, grateful for his vivid account of a truly turbulent life. I felt more than rewarded for the long, trying wait in the cold parlor!

6-1: Sohong was his monastic name. He was popularly known as the “Tiger Swami.”

6-1: Sohong was his name as a monk. He was widely known as the “Tiger Swami.”

6-2: “Prince Princess”-so named to indicate that this beast possessed the combined ferocity of tiger and tigress.

6-2: “Prince Princess”, named to show that the beast had the combined ferocity of a tiger and a tigress.