The life of a mendicant during pilgrimages helped me to develop in a great measure forbearance, equal vision and a balanced mind in pleasure and pain. I met many Mahatmas and learnt wonderful lessons. On some days I had to go without food and walk mile after mile. With a smile I faced all hardships.

As quoted by Swami Sadananda Saraswati in his Introduction to Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (2000 web edition)