A devotee once went to a certain saint and said, “Sir, tell me a means by which I may obtain a vision of God.” The saint advised him to retire to seclusion and engage himself in worship of God for one full year.” Acting on this advice of the saint, the devotee started doing worship in right earnest in a secluded place. On the day when the devotee was to complete one year of his worship, the saint called a sweeper aside and, mentioning the place where the devotee was living, said, “There is a man engaged in the worship of God. When he finishes his bath, scatter dust over him with your broom.” The sweeper did as he was instructed to do. This terribly upset the devotee who, in his fit of anger, ran after the sweeper to beat him. “The scoundrel has defiled me”, said he and he took bath for the second time to purify himself. Then he came to the saint and said, “Sir, one year has been completed since you gave me the instructions to worship God. May I have the privilege now to have the vision of God ?” The saint replied, “Child, you are not yet pure. Even now you run in anger to bite like a snake. Go and worship for one more year. ”The devotee retired again to engage himself in worship of God for another year.

On the day when the second year was to be completed, the saint told the sweeper to touch the devotee with his broom, when the latter finished his faith. The sweeper did as he was asked to do. This time the devotee did not run after the sweeper to beat him but rebuked him in harsh words and after taking bath again he went to the saint. He repeated his prayer for a sight of God. The saint replied, “Even now you express your anger like a snake emitting terrible hisses. Go and worship God for a year more. Note, if you fail in the test next time, God will not favour you with His vision.” This time the devotee worshipped God with great care lest he should fail in the test. On the day when he was to complete the third year of worship, the saint asked the sweeper to throw upon him the entire lot of dirt he collected that morning. The sweeper carried out this instruction. But the devotee had now conquered anger. Bowing before the sweeper, he said, “Brother, you have done me a great favour. Had you not done this, how could I have freed myself from the grip of anger? I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Then again the devotee approached the saint. The saint was very happy to meet the devotee and blessed him. He said to him, “You have passed the test. Stay with me. Continue to worship God.” The devotee had the vision of God not long after that.