Swami tells this story:
Once Ekanath, the great mystic poet was carrying a pot of water from the sacred Ganga, as it emerged from the Himalayas to Rameshwaram, at the southern most point of India. He had made a vow to walk the distance of fifteen hundred miles and bathe the Siva Linga at this sacred spot, at the confluence of three seas.
The long pilgrimage was almost ended, he was nearing the shrine, when his eyes fell on a donkey writhing in agony as it lay dying of thirst. Ekanath ran up to it and poured the holy water, without hesitation, into that gasping parched mouth. The animal's eyes gleamed with gratitude as it looked up at its saviour but his companions were struck dumb with shock at this unorthodox breach of the vow, after so long a journey, when it was almost on the edge of fulfillment.
Ekanath however exclaimed in great joy, "The purpose is realised! Shiva asked and received. Shiva came and accepted."
(From: "Pathway to Peace" by Prof. N. Kasturi)
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