There was once a very famous composer of Carnatic music named Tyagaraja. He lived in what is now Tamil Nadu, and he was deeply devoted to Lord Rama. Tyagaraja was a very prolific composer – his whole life was given to music, and through the course of his life he made thousands of songs in praise of his Lord.

Once, it is said, Tyagaraja was walking from one village to another, and his way led through very dense jungle. In this jungle there lived two thieves, who used to prey on travellers, and when they saw Tyagaraja walking on the path, they began to follow him, intent on stealing whatever he had.

Unaware that he was being stalked by thieves, Tyagaraja walked along quietly, immersed in musical contemplation, humming songs in praise of Rama.

After several hours walking through the forest, as Tyagaraja came near his destination, suddenly the two thieves ran in front of him, and to his enormous surprise, threw themselves at his feet, offering reverence to him.

Deeply puzzled, Tyagaraja asked them what was the meaning of their behaviour.

“Sir,” they said humbly, “we are thieves, and we followed you through the jungle, intending to rob you. But your guards would not let us. They walked on either side of you, keeping us away, and finally they caught us and would not let us go unless we did reverence to you.”

“My guards?” said Tyagaraja. He looked around, but the jungle and the path behind were empty. “What guards? I do not travel with guards. What did they look like?”

“They were young men, sir. One had a bow and a quiver of arrows on his shoulder. The other had a crown.”

Then Tyagaraja understood and his eyes filled with tears. “Sri Ram! Jai Ram! You, uneducated thieves with no devotion, have had the vision of Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman that I, in spite of all my devotions, have never had!”

Marvelling at the miracle, Tyagaraja laughed ruefully. “Perhaps I would do better to also be a thief!”