{"id":551,"date":"2013-07-13T01:28:50","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=551"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:28:50","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:28:50","slug":"52-anandamath-vol-08-translations-volume-08","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/08-translations-volume-08\/52-anandamath-vol-08-translations-volume-08","title":{"rendered":"-52_Anandamath.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n

\n\tANANDAMATH <\/span>
\n\tOF<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n\tBANKIM CHANDRA
\n\tCHATTERJEE<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tFirst thirteen
\n\tchapters only<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span>PROLOGUE<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 \n\t<\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t            <\/span>
\n\tA <\/span><\/b>
\n\twide interminable forest. Most
\n\tof the trees are Sāls,<\/i> but other kinds are not wanting. Treetop
\n\tmingling with treetop, foliage melting into foliage, the interminable lines
\n\tprogress; without crevice, without gap, without even a way for the light to
\n\tenter, league after league and again league after league the boundless ocean
\n\tof leaves ad\u00advances, tossing wave upon wave in the wind. Underneath, thick
\n\tdark\u00adness; even at midday the light is dim and uncertain; a seat of terrific
\n\tgloom. There the foot of man never treads; there, except the illimitable
\n\trustle of the leaves and the cry of wild beasts and birds, no sound is
\n\theard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            In this
\n\tinterminable, impenetrable wilderness of blind gloom, if is night. The hour
\n\tis midnight, and a very dark midnight; even outside the wood-land it is dark
\n\tand nothing can be seen. Within the forest the piles of gloom are like the
\n\tdarkness in the womb of the earth itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Bird and beast are
\n\tutterly and motionlessly still. What hundreds of thousands, what millions of
\n\tbirds, beasts, insects, flying things have their dwelling within that
\n\tforest! But not one is giving forth a sound. Rather the darkness is within
\n\tthe imagination; but inconceivable is that noiseless stillness of the ever-murmurous,
\n\tever noise-filled earth. In that limitless empty forest, in the solid
\n\tdarkness of that midnight, in that unimaginable silence, there was a sound:
\n\t\u201cShall the desire of my heart ever be fulfilled ?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           After that sound the
\n\tforest reaches sank again into stillness. Who would have said then that a
\n\thuman sound had been heard in those wilds ? A little while after, the sound
\n\tcame again, again the voice of man rang forth troubling the hush: \u201cShall the
\n\tdesire of my heart ever be fulfilled?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           
\n\t<\/font><\/span>Three times the wide
\n\tsea of darkness was thus shaken. Then the answer came: \u201cWhat is the stake
\n\tput down?\u201d                     <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The first voice
\n\treplied, \u201cI have staked my life and all its riches.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The echo answered,
\n\t\u201cLife! it is a small thing which all can sacrifice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            \u201cWhat else is there?
\n\tWhat more can I give?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t             This was the answer,
\n\t\u201cThy soul\u2019s worship.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 317<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n


\n\t
\n\tANANDAMATH<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\tCHAPTER ONE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t                                                            <\/span>
\n\tI<\/span><\/b>t
\n\tis a summer day of the Bengali year 1176, The glare and heat of the sun lies
\n\tvery heavy on the village of Padachinha. The village is crowded with houses,
\n\tyet there is not a man to be seen. Line upon line of shops in the bazaar,
\n\trows upon rows of booths in the mart, hundreds of earthen houses
\n\tinterspersed with stone mansions, high and low, in every quarter. But today
\n\tall is silent. In the bazaar the shops are closed, and where the shopkeeper
\n\thas fled no man can tell. It is market day today, but in the mart there is
\n\tno buying and selling. It is the beggars\u2019 day, but the beggars are not out.
\n\tThe weaver has shut up his loom and lies weeping in his house; the trader
\n\thas forgotten his traffic and weeps with his infant in his lap; the givers
\n\thave left giving and the teachers closed their schools; the very infant, it
\n\twould seem, has no longer heart to cry aloud. No wayfarers are to be seen in
\n\tthe highways, no bathers in the lake, no human forms at door and threshold,
\n\tno birds in the trees, no cattle in the pastures; only in the burning-ground
\n\tdog and jackal crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            In that crowded
\n\tdesolation of houses one huge building, whose great fluted pillars could be
\n\tseen from afar, rose glorious as the peak of a hill. And yet where was the
\n\tglory ? The doors were shut, the house empty of the concourse of men, hushed
\n\tand voiceless, difficult even to the entry of the wind. In a room within
\n\tthis dwelling where even noon was a darkness, in that darkness, like a pair
\n\tof lilies flowering in the midnight, a wedded couple sat in thought.
\n\tStraight in front of them stood Famine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The harvest of the
\n\tyear 1174 had been poor, consequently in the year 1175 rice was a little
\n\tdear; the people suffered, but the Government exacted its revenues to the
\n\tlast fraction of a farthing. As a result of this careful reckoning the poor
\n\tbegan to eat only once a day. The rains in 1175 were copious, and people
\n\tthought Heaven had taken pity on the land. Joyously once more the herdsman
\n\tsang his ditty in the fields; the tiller\u2019s wife again began to tease her
\n\thusband for a silver bracelet. Suddenly in the month of Aswin Heaven turned
\n\taway its face. In Aswin and Kartick not a drop of rain fell; the grain in
\n\tthe fields withered and turned to straw as it stood.            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 318<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tWherever a ear or two
\n\tflourished, the officials bought it for the troops. The people no longer had
\n\tanything to eat. First, they stinted themselves of one meal in the day; then
\n\teven from their single meal they rose with half-filled stomachs; next the
\n\ttwo meal-times became two fasts. The little harvest reaped in Chaitra was
\n\tnot enough to fill the hungry mouths. But Mahomed Reza Khan, who was in
\n\tcharge of the revenues, thought fit to show himself off as a loyal servant
\n\tand immediately enhanced the taxes by ten per cent. Throughout Bengal arose
\n\ta clamour of great weeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            First, people began
\n\tto live by begging but afterwards who could give alms? They began to fast.
\n\tNext they fell into the clutch of disease. The cow was sold, plough and yoke
\n\twere sold, the seed-rice was eaten, hearth and home were sold, land and
\n\tgoods were sold. Next they began to sell their girls. After that they began
\n\tto sell their boys. After that they began to sell their wives. Next, girl,
\n\tboy, or wife, \u2014who would buy? Purchasers there were none, only sellers. For
\n\twant of food men began to eat the leaves of trees, they began to eat grass,
\n\tthey began to eat weeds. The lower castes and the forest men began devouring
\n\tdogs, mice and cats. Many fled, but ,| those who fled only reached some
\n\tforeign land to die of starvation. Those \u2018 who remained ate uneatables or
\n\tsubsisted without food till disease took hold of them and they died.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Disease had its day,
\n\t\u2014 fever, cholera, consumption, small-pox. The virulence of small-pox was
\n\tespecially great. In every house men began to perish of the disease. There
\n\twas none to give water to his fellow, none who would touch him, none to
\n\ttreat the sick. Men would not turn to care for each other\u2019s sufferings, nor
\n\twas there any to take up the corpse from where it lay. Beautiful bodies lay
\n\trotting in wealthy mansions. For where once the small-pox made its entry,
\n\tthe dwellers fled from the house and abandoned the sick man in their fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Mohendra Singha was
\n\ta man of great wealth in the village of Padachinha. but today rich and poor
\n\twere on one level. In this time of crowding afflictions his relatives,
\n\tfriends, servants, maid-servants had all been \u2018 seized by disease and gone
\n\tfrom him. Some had died, some had fled. In that once peopled household there
\n\twas only himself, his wife and one infant girl. This was the .couple of whom
\n\tI spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The wife, Kalyani,<\/u>
\n\tgave up thinking and went to the cowshed to milk the cow; then she warmed
\n\tthe milk, fed her child and went again to give the cow its grass and water.
\n\tWhen she returned from her task Mohendra said, \u201cHow long can we go on in
\n\tthis way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 319<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n\u201cNot long,\u201d answered Kalyani, \u201cas long as
\nwe can. So long as possible I will keep things going, afterwards you and the
\ngirl can go to the town.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/b><\/font><\/span> <\/span>
\n
\nmohendra<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

If we have to go to the town at the end,
\nwhy should I inflict all this trouble on you at all? Come, let us go at once.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>After
\nmuch arguing and contention between husband and wife, Kalyani said, \u201cWill there
\nbe any particular advantage in going to the town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font><\/span><\/b> <\/span>
\nmohendra<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Very possibly that place too is as empty of
\nmen and empty of means of subsistence as we are here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b><\/font><\/span> <\/span>
\nkalyani<\/font>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

If you go to Murshidabad, Cossimbazar or
\nCalcutta, you may save your life. It is in every way best to leave this place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Mohendra
\nanswered, \u201cThis house has been full for many years of the gathered wealth of
\ngenerations. All this will be looted by thieves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font><\/span>
\n<\/b> <\/span>kalyani<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

If thieves come to loot it, shall we two be
\nable to protect the treasure? If life is not saved who will be there to enjoy?
\nCome, let us shut up the whole place this moment and go. If we survive, we can
\ncome back and enjoy what remains.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWill
\nyou be able to do the journey on foot?\u201d asked Mohendra. \u201cThe palanquin-bearers
\nare all dead. As for cart or carriage, where there are bullocks there is no
\ndriver; and where there is a driver there are no bul\u00adlocks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font><\/span>
\n<\/b> <\/span>kalyani <\/font>
\n<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, I shall be able to walk, do not fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>In
\nher heart she thought, even if she fell and died on the way, these two at least
\nwould be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The
\nnext day at dawn the two took some money with them, locked up room and door,
\nlet loose the cattle, took the child in their arms and set out for the capital.
\nAt the time of starting Mohendra said, \u201cThe road is very difficult, at every
\nstep dacoits and highwaymen are hovering about, it is not well to go
\nempty-handed.\u201d So saying Mohendra returned to the house and took from it
\nmusket, shot, and powder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When
\nshe saw the weapon, Kalyani said, \u201cSince you have remembered to take arms with
\nyou, hold Sukumari for a moment and I too will<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 320<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

bring a weapon with me.\u201d With these words she put her daughter into
\n<\/font> <\/span>Mohendra\u2019s arms and in her turn entered the
\nhouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Mohendra
\ncalled after her, \u201cWhy, what weapon can you take with you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>As
\nshe came, Kalyani hid a small casket of poison in her dress. Fear\u00ading what fate
\nmight befall her in these days of misfortune, she had already procured and kept
\nthe poison with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It
\nwas the month of Jyaistha, a savage heat, the earth as if a flame, the wind
\nscattering fire, the sky like a canopy of heated copper, the dust of the road
\nlike sparks of fire. Kalyani began to perspire profusely. Now resting under the
\nshade of a bāblā<\/i> tree, now sitting in the shelter of a
\ndate-palm, drinking the muddy water of dried ponds, with great difficulty she
\njour\u00adneyed forward. The girl was in Mohendra\u2019s arms and sometimes he fanned her
\nwith his robe. Once the two refreshed themselves, seated under the boughs of a
\ncreeper-covered tree flowering with odorous blooms and dark-hued with dense
\nshade-giving foliage. Mohendra wondered to see Kalyani\u2019s endurance under
\nfatigue. He drenched his robe with water from a neighbouring pool and sprinkled
\nit on his and Kalyani\u2019s face, forehead, hands and feet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kalyani
\nwas a little cooled and refreshed, but both of them were dis\u00adtressed with great
\nhunger. That could be borne, but the hunger and thirst of their child could not
\nbe endured, so they resumed their march. Swim\u00adming through those waves of fire
\nthey arrived before evening at an inn. Mohendra had cherished a great hope that
\non reaching the inn he would be able to give cool water to his wife and child
\nto drink and food to save their lives. But he met with a great disappointment.
\nThere was not a man in the inn. Big rooms were lying empty, the men had all
\nfled. Mohendra after looking about the place made his wife and daughter lie
\ndown in one of the rooms. He began to call from outside in a loud voice, but
\ngot no answer Then Mohendra said to Kalyani, \u201cWill you have a little courage
\nand stay here alone? If there is a cow to be found in this region, may Sri Krishna
\nhave pity on us and I shall bring you some milk.\u201d He took an earthen water jar
\nin his hand and went out. A number of such jars were lying about the place. <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 321<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/span><\/b>CHAPTER TWO<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Mohendra departed. Left alone with no one
\nnear her but her little girl, Kalyani in that solitary and unpeopled place, in
\nthat almost pitch-dark cottage began to study closely every side. Great fear
\nwas upon her. No one anywhere, no sound of human existence to be heard, only
\nthe howling of the dogs and the jackals. She regretted letting her husband
\ngo\u2014hunger and thirst might after all have been borne a little longer. She
\nthought of shutting all the doors and sitting in the security of the closed
\nhouse. But not a single door had either panel or bolt. As she was thus gazing
\nin every direction suddenly something in the doorway that faced her caught her
\neye, something like a shadow. It seemed to her to have the shape of a man and
\nyet not to be human. Something utterly dried up and withered, some\u00adthing like a
\nvery black, a naked and terrifying human shape had come and was standing at the
\ndoor. After a little while the shadow seemed to lift a hand \u2014 with the long
\nwithered finger of a long withered hand, all skin and bone, it seemed to make a
\nmotion of summons to someone outside. Kalyani\u2019s heart dried up in her with
\nfear. Then just such another shadow, withered, black, tall, naked, came and
\nstood by the side of the first. Then another came and yet another came. Many came,
\n\u2014 slowly, noiselessly they began to enter the room. The room with its almost
\nblind darkness grew dreadful as a midnight burning-ground. All those
\ncorpse-like figures gathered round Kalyani and her daughter. Kalyani almost
\nswooned away. Then the black withered men seized and lifted up the woman and
\nthe girl, carried them out of the house and entered into a jungle across the
\nopen fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A
\nfew minutes afterwards Mohendra arrived with the milk in the water jar. He<\/b>
\nfound the whole place empty. Hither and thither he searched, often called aloud
\nhis daughter\u2019s name and at last even his wife\u2019s. There was no answer, he could
\nfind no trace of his wife and child. <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 322<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nCHAPTER THREE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

It was a very beautiful woodland in which
\nthe robbers set down Kalyani There was no light, no eye to see the loveliness,
\n\u2014 the beauty of the wood remained invisible like the beauty of soul in a poor
\nman\u2019s heart. There might be no food in the country, but there was a wealth of
\nflowers in the woodland; so thick was the fragrance that even in that darkness
\none seemed to be conscious of a light. On a clear spot in the middle covered
\nwith soft grass, the thieves set down Kalyani and her child and themselves sat around
\nthem. Then they began to debate what to do with them, for what ornaments
\nKalyani had with her were already in their possession. One group was very busy
\nwith the division of this booty. But when the ornaments had been divided, one
\nof the robbers said, \u201cWhat are we to do with gold and silver ? Someone give me
\na handful of rice in exchange for an ornament; I am tortured with hunger, I
\nhave eaten today nothing but the leaves of trees.\u201d No sooner had one so spoken
\nthan all echoed him and a clamour arose. \u201cGive us rice, give us rice, we do not
\nwant gold and silver!\u201d The leader tried to quiet them, but no one listened to
\nhim. Gradually high words began to be exchanged, abuse flowed freely, a fight
\nbecame imminent. Everyone in a rage pelted the leader with his whole allotment
\nof ornaments. He also struck one or two and this brought all of them upon<\/i>
\nhim striking at him in a general assault. The robber captain was emaciated and
\nill <\/i>with starvation; one or two blows laid him prostrate and lifeless,
\nThen one in that hungry, wrathful, excited, maddened troop of plunderers cried
\nout, \u201cWe have eaten the flesh of dogs and jackals and now we are racked with
\nhunger; come, friends, let us feast to-day on this rascal.\u201d Then all began to
\nshout aloud, \u201cGlory to. Kali! Bom Kali! today we will eat human flesh.\u201d And
\nwith this cry those black emaciated corpse-like figures began to shout with
\nlaughter and dance and clap their hands in the congenial darkness. One of them
\nset about lighting a fire to roast the body of the leader. He gathered dried
\ncreepers, wood and grass, struck flint and iron and set light to the collected fuel.
\nAs the fire burned up a little, the dark green foliage of the trees that were
\nneighbors to the spot, mango, lemon, jackfruit and palm, tamarind and date, were
\nlit up faintly with the toes. Here the leaves seemed ablaze, there the grass
\nbrightened in the light; in some places the darkness only became more crass and
\ndeep, <\/i>Mien the fire was ready, one began to drag the corpse by the leg and
\nwas to throw it on the fire, but another intervened and said, \u201cDrop it! <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 323<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

stop, stop! if it is on the grand meat that
\nwe must keep ourselves alive today, then why the tough and juiceless flesh of
\nthis old fellow? We shall eat what we have looted and brought with us today.
\nCome along, there is that tender girl, let us roast and eat her.\u201d Another said,
\n\u201cRoast anything you like, my good fellow, but roast it; I can stand this hunger
\nno longer.\u201d Then all gazed greedily towards the place where Kalyani and her
\ndaughter had lain. They saw the place empty; neither child nor mother was
\nthere. Kalyani had seen her opportunity when the robbers were disputing, taken
\nher daughter into her arms, put the child\u2019s mouth to her breast and fled into
\nthe wood. Aware of the escape of their prey, the ghost-like ruffian crew ran in
\nevery direction with a cry of \u201cKill, Kill\u201d. In certain conditions man is no
\nbetter than a ferocious wild beast. <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 324<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nCHAPTER FOUR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The darkness of the wood was very deep and
\nKalyani could not find her way. In the thickly-woven entanglement of trees, creepers,
\nand thorns there was no path at the best of times and on that there came this
\nimpene\u00adtrable darkness. Separating the branches and creepers, pushing through
\nthorn and briar, Kalyani began to make her way into the thickness of the wood.
\nThe thorns pierced the child\u2019s skin and she cried from time to time; and at
\nthat the shouts of the pursuing robbers rose higher. In this way with torn and
\nbleeding body, Kalyani made farther progress into the woodland. After a little
\nwhile the moon rose. Until then there was some slight confidence in Kalyani\u2019s
\nmind that in the darkness the robbers would not be able to find her and after a
\nbrief and fruitless search would desist from the pursuit, but, now that the
\nmoon had risen, that confidence left her. The moon, as it mounted into the sky,
\nshed its light on the woodland tops, and the darkness within was suffused with
\nit. The darkness bright\u00adened, and here and there, through gaps, the outer
\nluminousness found its way inside and peeped into the thickets. The higher the
\nmoon mounted, the more the light penetrated into the reaches of foliage, the
\ndeeper all the shadows took refuge in the thicker parts of the forest. Kalyani
\ntoo with her child hid herself farther and farther in where the shadows re\u00adtreated.
\nAnd now the robbers shouted higher and began to come running from all sides,
\nand the child in her terror wept louder. Kalyani then gave up the struggle and
\nmade no further attempt to escape. She sat down with the girl on her lap on a
\ngrassy thornless spot at the foot of a great tree and called repeatedly, \u201cWhere
\nart Thou? Thou whom I worship daily, to whom daily I bow down, in reliance on
\nwhom I had the strength to penetrate into this forest, where art Thou, 0 Madhusudan?\u201d
\nAt this time, what with fear, the deep emotion of spiritual love and worship
\nand the lassitude of hunger and thirst, Kalyani gradually lost sense of her
\noutward surround\u00adings and became full of an inward consciousness in which she
\nwas aware of a heavenly voice singing in mid-air,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c0
\nHari, 0 Murari, <\/b>0 foe of<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh
\nand Madhu!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>0
\nGopal, O Govinda, O Mukunda,<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>0 Shauri!<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage\u2013 325<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>0 Hari, 0 Murari, O foe of<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh
\nand Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kalyani
\nhad heard from her childhood, in the recitation of the Puranas, that the sages
\nof Paradise roam the world on the paths of the sky, crying aloud to the music
\nof the harp the name of Hari. That imagination took shape in her mind and she
\nbegan to see with the inner vision a mighty ascetic, harp in hand,
\nwhite-bodied, white-haired, white-bearded, white-robed, tall of stature,
\nsinging in the path of the azure heavens,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c0
\nHari, 0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Gradually the song grew nearer, louder she
\nheard the words,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c0
\nHari, 0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh
\nand Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Then still nearer, still clearer, \u2014<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c0 Hari, 0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

At last over Kalyani\u2019s head the chant rang
\nechoing in the woodland,<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c0 Hari, 0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then
\nKalyani opened her eyes. In the half-lustrous moonbeams suffused and shadowed
\nwith the darkness of the forest, she saw in front of her that white-bodied,
\nwhite-haired, white-bearded, white-robed image of a sage. Dreamily all her
\nconsciousness centred on the vision. Kalyani thought to bow down to it, but she
\ncould not perform the salutation; even as she bent her head, all consciousness
\nleft her and she lay fallen supine on the ground.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 326<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nCHAPTER FIVE<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

In a huge tract of ground in the forest
\nthere was a great monastery engirt with ruined masses of stone. Archaeologists
\nwould tell us that this was formerly a monastic retreat of the Buddhists and
\nafterwards became a Hindu monastery. Its rows of edifices were two-storeyed; in
\nbetween were temples and in front a meeting-hall. Almost all these buildings
\nwere sur\u00adrounded with a wall and so densely hidden with the trees of the forest
\nthat, even at day-time and at a short distance from the place, none could
\ndivine the presence of a human habitation here. The buildings were broken in
\nmany places, but by daylight one could see that the whole place had been
\nrecently repaired. A glance showed that man had made his dwelling in this profound
\nand inaccessible wilderness. It was in a room in this monastery, where a great
\nlog was blazing, that Kalyani first returned to consciousness and beheld in
\nfront of her that white-bodied, white-robed Great One. Kalyani began once more
\nto gaze on him with eyes large with wonder, for even now memory did not return
\nto her. Then the Mighty One of Kalyani\u2019s vision spoke to her: \u201cMy child, this
\nis a habitation of the Gods, here have no apprehension. I have a little milk,
\ndrink it and then I will talk with you.\u201d <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>At
\nfirst Kalyani could understand nothing, then, as by degrees her mind recovered
\nsome firm foundation, she threw the hem of her robe round her neck and made an
\nobeisance at the Great One\u2019s feet. He replied with. a blessing and brought out
\nfrom another room a sweet-smelling earthen pot in which he warmed some milk at
\nthe blazing fire. When the milk was warm he gave it to Kalyani and said, \u201cMy
\nchild, give some to your daughter to drink and then drink some yourself,
\nafterwards you can talk.\u201d Kalyani, with joy in her heart, began to administer
\nthe milk to her daughter. The unknown then said to her, \u201cWhile I am absent,
\nhave no anxiety,\u201d and left the temple. After a while he returned from outside
\nand saw that Kalyani had finished giving the milk to her child, but had herself
\ndrunk nothing; the milk was almost as it was at first, very little had been
\nused. \u201cMy child,\u201d said the unknown, \u201cyou have not drunk the milk; I am going
\nout again, and until you drink I will not return.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The
\nsage-like personage was again leaving the room, when Kalyani once more made him
\nan obeisance and stood before him with folded hands. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat
\nis it you wish to say?\u201d asked the recluse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then
\nKalyani replied, \u201cDo not command me to drink the milk, there ;ii an obstacle. I
\nwill not drink it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 327<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The
\nrecluse answered in a voice full of compassion, \u201cTell me what is the obstacle;
\nI am a forest-dwelling ascetic, you are my daughter; what can you have to say
\nwhich you will not tell me? When I carried you un\u00adconscious from the forest,
\nyou then seemed to me as if you had been sadly distressed with thirst and
\nhunger; if you do not eat and drink, how can you live?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kalyani
\nanswered, the tears dropping from her eyes, \u201cYou are a god and I will tell you.
\nMy husband remains still fasting and until I meet him again or hear of his
\ntasting food, how can I eat?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The
\nascetic asked, \u201cWhere is your husband?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI
\ndo not know,\u201d said Kalyani, \u201cthe robbers stole me away after he had gone out in
\nsearch of milk.\u201d Then the ascetic by question after ques\u00adtion elicited all the
\ninformation about Kalyani and her husband. Kalyani did not indeed utter her
\nhusband\u2019s name, \u2014 she could not; but the other information the ascetic received
\nabout him was sufficient for him to under\u00adstand. He asked her, \u201cThen you are
\nMohendra Singha\u2019s wife?\u201d Kalyani, in silence and with bowed head, began to heap
\nwood on the fire at which the milk had been warmed. Then the ascetic said, \u201cDo
\nwhat I tell you, drink the milk; I am bringing you news of your husband. Unless
\nyou drink the milk, I will not go.\u201d Kalyani asked, \u201cIs there a little water
\nanywhere here?\u201d The ascetic pointed to ajar of water. Kalyani made a cup of her
\nhands, the ascetic filled it with water; then Kalyani approaching her hands
\nwith the water in them to the ascetic\u2019s feet, said, \u201cPlease put the dust of
\nyour feet in the water.\u201d When the ascetic had touched the water with his foot,
\nKalyani drank it and said, \u201cI have drunk nectar of the gods, do not tell me to
\neat or drink anything else; until I have news of my husband I will take nothing
\nelse.\u201d The ascetic answered, \u201cAbide without fear in this temple. I am going in
\nsearch of your husband.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 328<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nCHAPTER SIX<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

It was far on in the night and the moon
\nrode high overhead. It was not the full moon and its brilliance was not so
\nkeen. An uncertain light, confused with shadowy hints of darkness, lay over an
\nopen common of im\u00admense extent the two extremities of which could not be seen
\nin that pale lustre. This plain affected the mind like something illimitable
\nand desert-like, a very abode, of fear. Through it there ran the road between
\nMurshi dabad and Calcutta.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>On
\nthe road-side was a small hill which bore upon it a goodly number of
\nmango-trees. The tree-tops glimmered and trembled with a sibilant rustle in the
\nmoonlight, and their shadows, too, black upon the blackness of the rocks, shook
\nand quivered. The ascetic climbed to the top of the hill and there in rigid
\nsilence listened, but for what he listened, it is not easy to say; for in that
\ngreat plain that seemed as vast as infinity, there was not a sound except the
\nmurmurous rustle of the trees. At one spot there was a great jungle near the
\nfoot of the hill, \u2014 the hill above, the high road below, the jungle between. I
\ndo not know what sound met his ear from the jungle, but it was in that
\ndirection the ascetic went. Entering into the denseness of the growth he saw in
\nthe forest, under the darkness of the branches at the foot of long rows of
\ntrees, men sitting, \u2014 men tall of stature, black of hue, armed; their burnished
\nweapons glittered fierily in the moonlight where it fell through gaps in the
\nwoodland leafage. Two hundred such armed men were sitting there, not one
\nuttering a single word. The ascetic went slowly into their midst and made some
\nsignal, but not a man rose, Bone spoke, none made a sound. He passed in front
\nof all, looking at each is he went, scanning every face in the gloom, as if he
\nwere seeking someone lie could not find. In his search he recognised one,
\ntouched him and made a sign, at which the other instantly rose. The ascetic
\ntook him to a distance and they stood and talked apart. The man was young; his
\nhandsome face we a thick black moustache and beard; his frame was full of
\nstrength; his whole presence beautiful and attractive. He wore an
\nochre-coloured robe and on all his limbs the fairness and sweetness of sandal
\nwas smeared. The Brahmacharin said to him,<\/i> \u201cBhavananda, have you any
\nnews of Mohendra Singha?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bhavananda
\nanswered, \u201cMohendra Singha and his wife and child left their house today; on
\nthe way, at the inn, \u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>At
\nthis point the ascetic interrupted him, \u201cI know what happened at <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 329<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n\tthe inn. Who did it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            \u201cVillage rustics, I
\n\timagine. Just now the peasants of all the villages have turned dacoits from
\n\tcompulsion of hunger. And who is not a dacoit nowadays ? Today we also have
\n\tlooted and eaten. Two maunds<\/span> of rice belonging
\n\tto the Chief of Police were on its way; we took and consecrated it to a
\n\tdevotee\u2019s dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The ascetic laughed
\n\tand said, \u201cI have rescued his wife and child from the thieves. I have just
\n\tleft them in the monastery. Now it is your charge to find out
\n\tMohendra<\/span> and deliver his wife and daughter into
\n\this keeping. Jivananda\u2019s<\/span> presence here will be
\n\tsufficient for the success of today\u2019s busi\u00adness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           
\n\tBhavananda<\/span> undertook the mission and the ascetic departed else\u00adwhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 330<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t
\n\tCHAPTER SEVEN<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n


\n\tMohendra<\/span><\/span>
\n\trose from the floor of the inn where he was sitting, for no\u00adthing could be
\n\tgained by sitting there and thinking over his loss. <\/b>He <\/b>started
\n\tin the direction of the town with the idea of taking the help of the
\n\tofficials in the search for his wife and child. After journeying for some
\n\tdistance he saw on the road a number of bullock-carts surrounded by a great
\n\tcompany of sepoys<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            In the Bengali year
\n\t1175 the province of Bengal had not become sub\u00adject to British
\n\tadministration. The English were then the revenue officials of Bengal. They
\n\tcollected the taxes due to the treasury, but up to that time they had not
\n\ttaken upon themselves the burden of protecting the life and property of the
\n\tBengali people. The burden they had accepted was to take the country\u2019s
\n\tmoney; the responsibility of protecting life and property lay upon that
\n\tdespicable traitor and disgrace to humanity, Mirzafar<\/span>.
\n\tMirzafar<\/span> was incapable of protecting even
\n\thimself; it was not likely that he would or could protect the people of
\n\tBengal. Mirzafar<\/span> took opium and slept; the
\n\tEnglish raked in the rupees and wrote despatches<\/span>;
\n\tas for the people of Bengal they wept and went to destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The taxes of the
\n\tprovince were therefore the due of the English, but the burden of
\n\tadministration was on the Nawab<\/span>. Wherever the
\n\tEnglish them\u00adselves collected the taxes due to them, they had appointed a
\n\tcollector, but the revenue collected went to Calcutta. People might die of
\n\tstarvation, but the collection of their monies did not stop for a moment.
\n\tHowever, very much could not be collected; for if Mother Earth does not
\n\tyield wealth, no one can create wealth out of nothing. Be that as it may,
\n\tthe little that could be collected, had been made into cart-loads and was on
\n\tits way to the Company\u2019s treasury at Calcutta in charge of a military
\n\tescort. At this time there was great danger from dacoits, so fifty armed
\n\tsepoys<\/span> inarched with fixed bayonets, ranked
\n\tbefore and behind the carts. Their captain was an English soldier who went
\n\ton horseback in the rear of the force. On account of the heat the
\n\tsepoys<\/span> did not march by day but only by night.
\n\tAs they marched, Mohendra\u2019s<\/span> progress was stopped
\n\tby the treasure carts and this military array. Mohendra<\/span>,
\n\tseeing his way barred by sepoys<\/span> and carts, stood
\n\tat the side of the road; but as the sepoys<\/span> still
\n\tjostled him in passing, holding this to be no fit time for debate, he went
\n\tand stood at the edge of the jungle by the road. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Then a
\n\tsepoy<\/span> said in Hindustani, \u201cSee, there\u2019s a dacoit
\n\tmaking off.\u201d            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 331<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tThe sight of the gun in
\n\tMohendra\u2019s<\/span> hand confirmed this belief. He went
\n\tfor Mohendra<\/span>, caught hold of his neck and, with
\n\tthe salutation \u201cRogue! thief!\u201d suddenly gave him a blow of the fist and
\n\twrested the gun from his hand. Mohendra<\/span>,
\n\tempty-handed, merely returned the blow. Needless to say,
\n\tMohendra<\/span> was something more than a little angry,
\n\tand the worthy sepoy<\/span> reeled with the blow and
\n\twent down stunned on the road. Upon that, three or four
\n\tsepoys<\/span> came up, took hold of Mohendra<\/span>
\n\tand, dragging him forcibly to the commander, told the
\n\tSaheb<\/span>, \u201cThis man has killed one of the sepoys<\/span>.\u201d
\n\tThe Saheb<\/span> was smoking and a little bewildered
\n\twith strong drink; he replied, \u201cCatch hold of the rogue and marry him.\u201d The
\n\tsoldiers did not understand how they were to marry an armed highwayman, but
\n\tin the hope that, with the passing of the intoxication, the
\n\tSaheb<\/span> would change his mind and the marriage
\n\twould not be forced on them, three or four sepoys<\/span>
\n\tbound Mohendra<\/span> hand and foot with the halters of
\n\tthe cart-bullocks and lifted him into the cart.
\n\tMohendra<\/span> saw that it would be in vain to use force against so many,
\n\tand, even if he could effect his escape by force, what was the use ?
\n\tMohendra<\/span> was depressed and sorrowful with grief
\n\tfor his wife and child and had no desire for life. The
\n\tsepoys<\/span> bound Mohendra<\/span> securely to the
\n\twheel of the cart. Then with a slow and heavy stride the escort proceeded on
\n\tits march. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 332<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tCHAPTER EIGHT<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPossessed of the ascetic\u2019s
\n\tcommand, Bhavananda<\/span>, softly crying the name of
\n\tHari<\/span> went in the direction of the inn where
\n\tMohendra<\/span> had been sitting; for he thought it
\n\tlikely that there he would get a clue to Mohendra\u2019s<\/span>
\n\twhereabouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            At that time the
\n\tpresent roads made by the English were not in exis\u00adtence. In order to come
\n\tto Calcutta from the district towns, one had to travel by the
\n\tmarvellous<\/span> roads laid down by the Mogul
\n\tEmperors. On his way from Padachinha<\/span> to the
\n\ttown, Mohendra<\/span> had been
\n\ttravelling<\/span> from south to north; thus it was that he met the soldiers
\n\ton the way. The direc\u00adtion Bhavananda<\/span> had to
\n\ttake from the Hill of Palms towards the inn, was also from south to north:
\n\tnecessarily, he too on his way fell in with the se\u00adpoys<\/span>
\n\tin charge of the treasure. Like Mohendra<\/span>, he
\n\tstood aside to let them pass. Now, for one thing, the soldiers naturally
\n\tbelieved that the dacoits would be sure to attempt the plunder of this
\n\tdespatch<\/span> of treasure, and on that apprehension
\n\thad come the arrest of a dacoit on this very highway. When they saw
\n\tBhavananda<\/span> too standing aside in the night-time,
\n\tthey inevitably concluded that here was another dacoit. Accordingly, they
\n\tseized him on the spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           
\n\tBhavananda<\/span> smiled softly and said, \u201cWhy so, my good fellow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            \u201cRogue!\u201d answered a
\n\tsepoy<\/span>, \u201cyou are a robber.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            \u201cYou can very well
\n\tsee I am an ascetic wearing the yellow robe. Is this the appearance of a
\n\trobber?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            \u201cThere are plenty of
\n\trascally ascetics and Sannyasins<\/span> who rob,\u201d
\n\tretorted the sepoy<\/span>, and he began to push and
\n\tdrag Bhavananda<\/span>.
\n\tBhavananda\u2019s<\/span> eyes Hashed in the darkness, but he only said very
\n\thumbly, \u201cGood master, let me know your commands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The
\n\tsepoy<\/span> was pleased at
\n\tBhavananda\u2019s<\/span> politeness and said, \u201cHere, rascal, take this load and
\n\tcarry it,\u201d and he clapped a bundle on Bhava\u00adnanda\u2019s<\/span>
\n\thead. Then another of the sepoys<\/span> said to the
\n\tfirst, \u201cNo, he will runaway; tie up the rascal on the cart where the other
\n\trogue is bound.\u201d Bhavananda<\/span> grew curious to know
\n\twho was the man they had bound; he threw away the bundle on his head and
\n\tadministered a slap on the cheek of the soldier who had put it there. In
\n\tconsequence, the sepoys<\/span> bound
\n\tBhava-nanda<\/span>, lifted him on to the cart and flung
\n\thim down near Mohendra<\/span>.
\n\tBhavananda<\/span> at once recognised<\/span>
\n\tMohendra<\/span> Singha<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The
\n\tsepoys<\/span> again marched on, carelessly and with
\n\tnoise, and the            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 333<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tcreaking of the carts-wheels
\n\trecommenced. Then, softly and in a voice audible only to
\n\tMohendra<\/span>, Bhavananda<\/span>
\n\tsaid, \u201cMohendra<\/span> Singha<\/span>,
\n\tI know you and am here to give you help. There is no need for you to know
\n\tjust at present who I am. <\/b> Do very carefully what I tell you. Put the
\n\trope that ties your hands on the wheel of the cart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           
\n\tMohendra<\/span>, though astonished, carried out
\n\tBhavananda\u2019s<\/span> suggestion without a word. Moving a little towards the
\n\tcart-wheel under cover of darkness, he placed the rope that tied his hands
\n\tso as to just touch the wheel. The rope was gradually cut through by the
\n\tfriction of the wheel. Then he cut the rope on his feet by the same means.
\n\tAs soon as he was free of his bonds, by Bhavananda\u2019s<\/span>
\n\tadvice, he lay inert in the cart. Bhavananda<\/span>
\n\talso severed his bonds by the same device. Both lay utterly still and
\n\tmotion\u00adless.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The path of the
\n\tsoldiers took them precisely by the road where the
\n\tBrahmacharin<\/span> had stood on the highway near the jungle and gazed round
\n\thim. As soon as they arrived near the hill, they saw under it, on the top of
\n\ta mound, a man standing. Catching sight of his dark figure silhouetted
\n\tagainst the moonlit azure sky, the havildar<\/span>
\n\tsaid, \u201cThere is another of the rogues; catch him and bring him here: he
\n\tshall carry a load.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            At that a soldier
\n\twent to catch the man, but, though he saw the fellow coming to lay hold of
\n\thim, the watcher stood firm; he did not stir. When the soldier laid hands on
\n\thim, he said nothing. When he was brought as a prisoner to the
\n\thavildar<\/span>, even then he said nothing. The
\n\thavildar<\/span> ordered a load to be put on his head; a
\n\tsoldier put the load in place; he took it on his head. Then the
\n\thavildar<\/span> turned away and started marching with
\n\tthe cart. At this moment a pistol shot rang suddenly out, and the
\n\thavildar<\/span>, pierced through the head, fell on the
\n\troad and breathed his last. A soldier shouted, \u201cThis rascal has shot the
\n\thavildar<\/span>,\u201d and seized the luggage-bearer\u2019s hand.
\n\tThe bearer had still the pistol in his grasp. He threw the load from him and
\n\tstruck the soldier on the head with the butt of his pistol; the man\u2019s head
\n\tbroke and he dropped further proceedings. Then with a cry of \u201cHari<\/span>!
\n\tHari<\/span>! Hari<\/span>!\u201d two
\n\thundred armed men surrounded the soldiery. The sepoys<\/span>
\n\twere at that moment awaiting the arrival of their Eng\u00adlish captain, who,
\n\tthinking the dacoits were on him, came swiftly up to the cart, and gave the
\n\torder to form a square; for an Englishman\u2019s intoxi\u00adcation vanishes at the
\n\ttouch of danger. The sepoys<\/span> immediately formed
\n\tinto a square facing four ways and at a further command of their captain
\n\tlifted their guns in act to fire. At this critical moment some one wrested            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 334<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tsuddenly the Englishman\u2019s sword
\n\tfrom his belt and with one blow severed his head from his body. With the
\n\trolling of the Englishman\u2019s head from his shoulders the unspoken command to
\n\tfire was silenced for ever. Alt looked and saw,, a man standing on the cart,
\n\tsword in hand shouting loud the cry of \u201cHari<\/span>,
\n\tHari<\/span>\u201d and calling \u201cKill, kill the soldiers.\u201d It
\n\twas Bhavananda<\/span>.    <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            The sudden sight of
\n\ttheir captain headless and the failure of any officer to give the command
\n\tfor defensive action kept the soldiers for a few moments passive and
\n\tappalled. The daring assailants took advantage of this opportunity to slay
\n\tand wound many, reach the carts and take posses\u00adsion of the money chests.
\n\tThe soldiers lost courage, accepted defeat and took to flight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Then the man who had
\n\tstood on the mound and afterwards assumed the chief leadership of the attack
\n\tcame to Bhavananda<\/span>. After a mutual embrace
\n\tBhavananda<\/span> said, \u201cBrother
\n\tJivananda<\/span>, it was to good purpose that you took the vow of our
\n\tbrotherhood.\u201d \u201cBhavananda<\/span>,\u201d replied
\n\tJivananda<\/span>, \u201cjustified be your name.\u201d
\n\tJivananda<\/span> was charged with the office of
\n\tarranging for the removal of the plundered treasure to its proper place and
\n\the swiftly departed with his following. Bhavananda<\/span>
\n\talone remained standing on the field of action.            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 335<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

\nCHAPTER NINE<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Mohendra<\/span><\/span> had descended from the cart, wrested a
\nweapon from one of the sepoys<\/span> and made ready to join
\nin the fight. But at this moment it came home clearly to him that these men
\nwere robbers and the plunder of the treasure the object of their attack on the
\nsoldiery. In obedience to this idea he stood away from the scene of the fight,
\nfor to help the robbers meant to be a partner in their ill-doing. Then he flung
\nthe sword away and was slowly leaving the place when Bhavananda<\/span>
\ncame and stood near him. Mohendra<\/span> said to him, \u201cTell
\nme, who are you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bhavananda<\/span> replied, \u201cWhat need have you to know that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI
\nhave a need,\u201d said Mohendra<\/span>. \u201cYou have done me today
\na very great service.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI
\nhardly thought you realized it,\u201d said Bhavananda<\/span>, \u201cyou
\nhad a weapon in your hand, and yet you stood apart. A landholder are .you, and
\nthat\u2019s a man good at being the death of milk and ghee, but when work has to be
\ndone, an ape.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Before
\nBhavananda<\/span> had well finished his tirade Mohendra<\/span> answered with contempt and disgust, \u201cBut this is
\nbad work,\u2014a robbery!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRobbery
\nor not,\u201d retorted Bhavananda<\/span>, \u201cwe have done you some
\nlittle service and are willing to do you a little more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou
\nhave done me some service, I own,\u201d said Mohendra<\/span>, \u201cbut
\nwhat new service can you do me? And at a dacoit\u2019s hands I am better unhelped<\/span> than helped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhether
\nyou accept our proffered service or not,\u201d said Bhavanada<\/span>,
\n\u201cdepends on your own choice. If you do choose to take it, come with me. I will
\nbring you where you can meet your wife and child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Mohendra<\/span> turned and stood still. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d he cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bhavananda<\/span> walked on without any reply, and Mohendra<\/span> had no choice but to walk on with him, wondering
\nin his heart what new kind of robbers were these.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 336<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\nCHAPTER
\nTEN<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nSilently in the moonlit
\nnight the two crossed the open country. Mohendra was silent, sorrowful, full of
\npride, but also a little curious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n       
\nSuddenly Bhavananda’s whole aspect changed. No longer was he the ascetic,
\nserious of aspect, calm of mood; no longer the skilful fighter, the heroic
\nfigure of the man who had beheaded the English captain with the sweep of a
\nsword; no longer had he that aspect with which even now he had proudly rebuked
\nMohendra. It was as if the sight of that beauty of plain and forest, river and
\nnumerous streams,. all the moonlit peaceful earth, had stirred his heart with a
\ngreat gladness; it was as if the Ocean were laughing in the moonbeams.
\nBhavananda became smiling, eloquent, courteous of speech. He grew very eager to
\ntalk and made many efforts to open a conversation, but Mohendra would not speak.
\nThen Bhavananda, having no other resource, began to sing himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n           
\n"Mother, I bow to thee!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nRich with thy hurrying streams,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nBright with thy orchard gleams,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nCool with thy winds of delight,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nDark fields waving, Mother of might,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nMother free!"<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n        The song
\nastonished Mohendra, and he could understand nothing of it. Who might be this
\nrichly-fruited Mother, cool with delightful winds and dark with the harvests?
\n"What Mother?" he asked.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n        
\nBhavananda without any answer continued his song:<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n           
\n"Glory of moonlit dreams<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nOver thy branches and lordly streams;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nMother, giver of ease,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nLaughing low and sweet!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nMother, I kiss thy feet.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nSpeaker sweet and low!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n           
\nMother, to thee I bow.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n        Mohendra
\nsaid, "That is the country, it is not the Mother."<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 337<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n       
\nBhavananda replied, "We recognize no other Mother.’Mother and Motherland is more
\nthan heaven itself.’ We say the motherland is our mother. We have neither mother
\nnot father not brother nor friend, wife nor son nor house nor home. We have her
\nalone, the richly-watered, richly-fruited, cool with delightful winds, rich with
\nharvests \u2014 "<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Then
\nMohendra understood and said, "Sing it again." Bhavananda sang once more:<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\nMother, I bow to thee!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nRich with thy orchard gleams,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nBright with thy winds of delight,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nDark fields waving, Mother of might,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nMother free.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\nGlory of moonlight dreams<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nOver thy branches and lordly streams, \u2014 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nClad in thy blossoming trees,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nMother, giver of ease,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nLaughing low and sweet,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nSpeaker sweet and low!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nMother, to thee I bow.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nWho hath said thou art weak in thy lands,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nWhen the swords flash out in seventy million hands<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nAnd seventy million voices roar<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nThy dreadful name from shore to shore?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nWith many strengths who art mighty and stored,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nTo thee I call,. Mother and Lord!<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\nThou who savest, arise and save!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nTo her I cry ever her foeman drave<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nBack from plain and sea<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nAnd shook herself free.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\nThou art wisdom, thou art law,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nThou our heart, our soul, our breath, <\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 338<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

           
\nThou the love divine, the awe<\/p>\n

           
\nIn our hearts that conquers death.<\/p>\n

           
\nThine the beauty, thine the charm.<\/p>\n

           
\nEvery image made divine<\/p>\n

           
\nIn our temples is but thine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

           
\nThou art  Durga, Lady and Queen,<\/p>\n

           
\nWith her hands that strike and her swords of sheen<\/p>\n

           
\nThou art Lakshmi lotus-throned.<\/p>\n

           
\nPure and perfect, without peer,<\/p>\n

           
\nMother, lend thine ear.<\/p>\n

           
\nRich with thy hurrying streams,<\/p>\n

           
\nBright with thy orchard gleams,<\/p>\n

           
\nDark of hue, with jewelled hair<\/p>\n

           
\nAnd thy glorious smile divine,<\/p>\n

           
\nLoveliest of all earthly lands,<\/p>\n

           
\nShowering wealth from well-stored hands!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

       
\nMohendra saw the robber shedding tears as he sang. In wonder he asked, "Who are
\nyou?"<\/p>\n

       
\nBhavananda replied, "We are the Children."<\/p>\n

           
\n"What is meant by the Children?" asked Mohendra, "Whose children are you?"<\/p>\n

       
\nBhavananda replied, "The children of the Mother."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Good," said Mohendra. "Do the children worship their mother with theft and
\nlooting? What kind of filial piety is that?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"We do not thieve and loot," answered Bhavananda.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why, just now you plundered the carts."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Is that theft and looting? Whose money did we plunder?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why, The ruler’s."<\/p>\n

       
\n"The ruler’s! What right has he to the money, that he should take it?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"It is his royal share of the wealth of the country."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Who rules and does not protect his kingdom, is he a ruler at all?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"I see you will be blown one day from the cannon’s mouth by the sepoys."      \n<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 339<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

       
\n"I have seen your rascal sepoys more than once: I dealt with some today too."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Oh, that was not a real experience of them; one day you will get it."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Suppose it is so, a man can only die once."<\/p>\n

       
\n"But what profit is there in going out of one’s way to die?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Mohendra Singha," said Bhavananda, "I had a kind of idea that you were a man
\nworth the name, but now I see you are what all the rest of them are, merely the
\ndeath of ghee and milk. Look you, the snake crawls on the ground and is the
\nlowest of living things, but put our foot on the snake’s neck and even he will
\nrise with lifted hood. Can nothing overthrow your patience, then? Look at all
\nthe countries you know. Magadh, Mithila, Kashi, Kanchi, Delhi, Cashmere; in what
\nother country do men from starvation eat grass? Eat thorns? Eat the earth white
\nants have gathered? Eat the creepers of the forest? Where else are men forced to
\neat dogs and jackals, yes, even the bodies of the dead? Where else can men have
\nno ease of heart because of fear for the money in their chests, the household
\ngods on the sacred seats, the young women in their homes, the unborn children in
\nthe women’s wombs? Ay, here they rip open the womb and tear out the child. In
\nevery country the relation with the ruler is that of protector and protected,
\nbut what protection do our Mussalman rulers give us? Our religion is destroyed,
\nour caste defiled, our honour polluted, our family honour shamed; and now our
\nvery lives are go89ng the same way. Unless we drive out these vice-besodden
\nlongbeards, the Hinduism of the Hindu is doomed."<\/p>\n

       
\n"How will you drive them out?" asked Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\n"By blows".<\/p>\n

       
\n"You will drive them out single-handed? With one slap, I suppose." The robber
\nsang:<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

           
\n"Who hath said thou art weak in they lands,<\/p>\n

           
\nWhen the swords flash out in seventy million hands<\/p>\n

           
\nAnd seventy million voices roar<\/p>\n

           
\nThy dreadful name from shore to shore?"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

       
\n"But," said Mohendra, "I see you are alone."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why, just now you saw two hundred men."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Are they all Children?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"They are all Children."            <\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 340<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

       
\n"How many more are there of them?" <\/p>\n

       
\n"Thousands like these, and by degrees there will be yet more!"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Even if there were ten or twenty thousand, will you be able with that number to
\ntake the throne from the Mussalman?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"What army had the English at Plassey?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Can Englishmen and Bengalis be compared?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why not? What does physical strength mater? Greater physical strength will not
\nmake the bullet fly further."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Then," asked Mohendra, "why is there such a difference between an Englishman
\nand a Mussalman?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Take this first," said Bhavananda, "an Englishman will not run away even from
\nthe certainty of death. A Mussalman runs as soon as he perspires and roams in
\nsearch of a glass of sherbet. <\/i>Next take this, that the Englishman has
\ntenacity; if he takes up a thing, he carries it through. ‘Don’t care’ is a
\nMussalman’s motto. He is giving his life for a hire, and yet the soldiers don’t
\nget their pay. Then the last thing is courage. A cannon ball can fall only in
\none place, not in ten; so there is no necessity for two hundred men to run from
\none cannon ball. But one cannon ball will send a Mussalman with his whole clan
\nrunning, while a whole clan of cannon balls will not put even a solitary
\nEnglishman to flight."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Have you all these virtues?" asked Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\n"No," said Bhavananda, "but virtues don’t fall from the nearest tree. You have
\nto practise them."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Do you practise them?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Do you not see we are Sannyasins? It is for this practice that we have made
\nrenunciation. When our work is done, when our training is complete, we shall
\nagain become householders. We also have wives and daughters."<\/p>\n

       
\n"You have abandoned all those ties, but have you been able to overcome Maya?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"The Children are not allowed to speak falsely, and I will not make a lying
\nboast to you. Who has the strength to conquer Maya? When a man says, ‘I have
\nconquered Maya,’ either he never had any feeling or he is making a vain boast.
\nWe have not conquered Maya, we are only keeping our vow. Will you be one of the
\nChildren?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Until I get news of my wife and daughter, I cannot say anything."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Come then, you shall see your wife and child."<\/p>\n

       
\nThe two went on their way; and Bhavananda began again to sing Bande Mataram.<\/i>       \n<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 341<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mohendra had a good voice and was a little proficient in singing and fond of it;
\ntherefore he joined in the song, and found that, as he sang, the tears came into
\nhis eyes. Then Mohendra said, "If I have not to abandon my wife and daughter,
\nthen initiate me into this vow."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Whoever," answered Bhavananda, "takes this vow, must abandon wife and child. If
\nyou take this vow, you cannot be allowed to meet your wife and daughter.
\nSuitable arrangements will be made for their protection, but until the vow is
\ncrowned with success, to look upon their faces if forbidden."<\/p>\n

       
\n"I will not take your vow," answered Mohendra.<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 342<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\n CHAPTER
\nELEVEN<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The day had dawned. That
\nunpeopled forest, so long dark and silent, now grew full of light, blissful with
\nthe cooing and calling of the birds. In that delightful dawn, in that joyous
\nforest, that "Monastery of Bliss," Satyananda, seated on a deerskin, was
\nperforming his morning devotions. Jivananda sat near. It was at such a time that
\nBhavananda appeared with Mohendra Singha behind. The ascetic without a word
\ncontinued his devotions and no one ventured to utter a sound. When the devotions
\nwere finished, Bhavananda and Jivananda saluted him and with humility seated
\nthemselves after taking the dust of his feet. The Satyananda beckoned to
\nBhavananda and took him outside. What conversation took place between them, we
\ndo not know; but on the return of the two into the temple the ascetic, with
\ncompassion and laughter in his countenance, said to Mohendra, "My son, I have
\nbeen greatly distressed by your misfortune; it was only by the grace of the
\nFriend of the poor and miserable that I was able to rescue your wife and
\ndaughter last night." The ascetic then told Mohendra the story of Kalyani’s
\nrescue and said at the end, "Come, lit me take you where they are."<\/p>\n

       
\nThe ascetic in front, Mohendra behind, they entered into the inner precincts of
\nthe temple. Mohendra beheld a wide and lofty hall. Even in this cheerful dawn,
\nglad with the youth of the morning, when the neighbouring groves glittered in
\nthe sunshine as if set and studded with diamonds, in this great room, there was
\nalmost a gloom as of night. Mohendra could not at first see what was in the
\nroom; but by gazing and gazing and still gazing he was able to distinguish a
\nhuge image of the four-armed Vishnu, bearing the shell, the discus, the club,
\nthe lotus-blossom, adored with the jewel Kaustubha on his breast; in front the
\ndiscus called Sudarshan, the Beautiful, seemed visibly to be whirling round. Two
\nhuge headless images representing Madhu and Kaitabh were painted before the
\nfigure, as if bathed in their own blood. On the left stood Lakshmi with flowing
\nlocks garlanded with wreaths of hundred-petalled lotuses, as if distressed with
\nfear. On the right stood Saraswati, surrounded by books, musical instruments,
\nthe incarnate strains and symphonies of music. On Vishnu’s lap sat an image of
\nenchanting beauty, lovelier than Lakshmi and Saraswati, more splendid with
\nopulence and lordship. Gandharva and Kinnara and god and elf and giant paid her
\nhomage. The ascetic asked Mohendra in a voice of deep solemnity and awe, "Can
\nyou see all?"<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 343<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

"Yes", replied Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Have you seen what is in the lap of Vishnu?" asked the ascetic.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Yes," answered Mohendra, "who is she?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"It is the Mother."<\/p>\n

       
\n"What mother?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"She whose children we are," replied the ascetic.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Who is she."<\/p>\n

       
\n"In time you will recognise here. Cry ‘Hail to the Mother!’ Now come, you shall
\nsee."<\/p>\n

       
\nThe ascetic took Mohendra into another room. There he saw an image of
\nJagaddhatri, Protectress of the world, wonderful, perfect, rich with every
\nornament. "Who is she?"   asked Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\nThe Brahmacharin replied, "The Mother as she was."<\/p>\n

       
\n"What is that?" asked Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\n"She trampled underfoot the elephants of the forest and all wild beasts, and in
\nthe haunt of the wild beasts she erected her lotus-throne. She was covered with
\nevery ornament, full of laughter and beauty. She was in hue like the young sun,
\nsplendid with all opulence and empire. Bow down to the Mother."<\/p>\n

       
\nMohendra saluted reverently the image of the Motherland as the protectress of
\nthe world. The Brahmacharin then showed him a dark underground passage and said,
\n"Come by this way." Mohendra with some alarm followed him. In a dark room in
\nthe bowels of the earth an insufficient light entered from some unperceived
\noutlet. By that faint light he say an image of Kali.<\/p>\n

       
\nThe Brahmacharin said, "Look on the Mother as she now is."<\/p>\n

       
\nMohendra said in fear, "It is Kali."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Yes, Kali enveloped in darkness, full of blackness and gloom. She is stripped
\nof all, therefore naked. Today the whole country is a burial ground, therefore is
\nthe Mother garlanded with skulls. Her own God she tramples under her feet. Alas,
\nmy Mother!"<\/p>\n

       
\nThe tears began to stream from the ascetic’s eyes.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why," asked Mohendra, "has she in her hands the club and the skull?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"We are the Children, we have only just given weapons into our Mother’s hands.
\nCry ‘Hail to the Mother!’ "<\/p>\n

       
\nMohendra said, "Bande Mataram" and bowed down to Kali..<\/p>\n

       
\nThe ascetic said, "Come by this way," and began to ascend another<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 344<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

underground passage.
\nSuddenly the rays of the morning sun shone in their eyes and from every side the
\nsweet-voiced family of birds shrilled in song. In a wide temple built in stone
\nof marble they saw a beautifully fashioned image of the Ten-armed Goddess made
\nin gold, laughing and radiant in the light of the early sun. The ascetic saluted
\nthe image and said, "This is the Mother as she shall be. Her ten arms are
\nextended towards the ten regions and they bear many a force imaged in her
\nmanifold weapons; her enemies are trampled under her feet and the lion on which
\nher foot rests is busy destroying the foe. Behold her, with the regions for her
\narms" \u2014 as he spoke, Satyananda began to sob,
\n\u2014"with the regions for her arms, wielder of manifold weapons, trampler-down of
\nher foes, with the lion-heart for the steed of her riding; on her right :Lakshmi
\nas Prosperity, on her left Speech, giver of learning and science, Kartikeya with
\nher as strength, Ganesh as Success. Come, let us both bow down to the Mother."
\nBoth with lifted faces and folded hands began to cry with one voice, "O
\nauspicious with all well-omened things, O thou ever-propitious who effectest all
\ndesire, O refuge of men, three-eyed and fair of hue, O Energy of Narayan,
\nsalutation to thee!"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        The two
\nmen bowed down with awe and love; and when they rose Mohendra asked in a broken
\nvoice, "When shall I see this image of the Mother?" "When all the Mothers’
\nsons," replied the Brahmacharin, "learn to call the Mother by that name, on that
\nday the Mother will be gracious to us."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Suddenly
\nMohendra asked, "Where are my wife and daughter?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "Come,"
\nsaid the ascetic, "you shall see them."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "I shall
\ntake up this mighty vow."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "Where
\nwill you send them to?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\nthought for a little and then said, "There is no one in my house, and I have no
\nother place. Yet in this time of famine, what other place can I find?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "Go out
\nof the temple," said the ascetic, "by the way by which you came here. At the
\ndoor of the temple you will see your wife and child. Up to this moment Kalyani
\nhas eaten nothing. You will find articles of food in the place where they are
\nsitting. When you have made her eat, do whatever you please; at present you will
\nnot again meet any of us. If this mind of yours holds, at the proper time I
\nshall show myself to you."<\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 345<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The suddenly by some
\npath unknown the ascetic vanished from the place. Mohendra went forth by the way
\npointed out to him and saw Kalyani with her daughter sitting in the court of
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n

       
\nSatyananda on his side descended by another underground passage into a secret
\ncellar under the earth. There Jivananda and Bhavananda sat counting rupees and
\narranging them in piles. In that room gold, silver, copper, diamonds,. corals,
\npearls were arrayed in heaps. It was the money looted on the previous night that
\nthey were arranging. Satyananda, as he entered the room, said, "Jivananda,
\nMohendra will come to us. If he comes, it will be a great advantage to the
\nChildren, for in that case the wealth accumulated in his family from generation
\nto generation will be devoted to the Mother’s service. But so long as he is not
\nbody and soul devoted to the Mother, do not take him into the order. As soon as
\nthe work you have in hand is completed, follow him at various times; and when
\nyou see it is the proper season, bring him to the temple of Vishnu. And in
\nseason or out of season, protect their lives. For even as the punishment of the
\nwicked is the duty of the Children, so is the protection of the good equally
\ntheir duty."    <\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 346<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\nCHAPTER TWELVE   
\n<\/font><\/b>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was after much
\ntribulation that Mohendra and Kalyani met again. Kalyani flung herself down and
\nwept. Mohendra wept even more than she. The weeping over, there was much ado of
\nwiping the eyes, for as often as the eyes were wiped, the tears began to come
\nagain. But when at last the tears had ceased to come, the thought of food
\noccurred to Kalyani. She asked Mohendra to partake of the food which the
\nascetic’s followers had kept with her. In this time of famine there was no
\nchance of ordinary food and vegetables, but whatever there was in the country
\nwas to be had in plenty among the Children. That forest was inaccessible to
\nordinary men. Wherever there was tree with fruit upon it, famishing men stripped
\nit of what it bore, but none other than the Children had access to the fruit of
\nthe trees in this impenetrable wilderness. For this reason the ascetic’s
\nfollowers had been able to bring for Kalyani plenty of forest fruits and some
\nmilk. In the property of the Sannyasin were included a number of cows. At
\nKalyani’s request, Mohendra first took some food. Afterwards Kalyani sat apart
\nand ate something of what he had left. She gave some of the mild to her child
\nand kept the rest to feed her with again. Then both of them, overcome with
\nsleep, took rest for a while. When they woke, they began to discuss where they
\nshould go next. "We left home," said Kalyani," in fear of danger and misfortune,
\nbut I now see there are greater dangers and misfortunes abroad that at home.
\nCome then, let us return to our own house." That also was Mohendra’s intention.
\nIt was his wish to keep Kalyani at home under the care of some suitable guardian
\nand take upon himself this beautiful, pure and divine vow of service to the
\nMother. Therefore he gave his consent very readily. Husband and wife, rested
\nfrom fatigue, took their daughter in their arms and set forth in the direction
\nof Padachinha.<\/p>\n

       
\nBut which way led to Padachinha, they could not at all make out in that thick
\nand difficult forest. They had thought that once they could find the way out of
\nthe wood, they would be able to find the road. But now they could not find the
\nway out of the wood itself. After long wandering in the thickets, their
\ncirclings began to bring them round to the monastery once more; no way of exit
\ncould be found. In front of them they saw an unknown ascetic in the dress of a
\nVaishnav Gosain, who stood in the path and laughed at them. Mohendra, in some
\nirritation, said to his, "What are you laughing at Gosain?"<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 347<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

       
\n"How did you enter the forest?" asked the Gosain.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Well, we have entered it, it does not mater how."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Then, when you have entered, how is it you cannot get out again?" So saying,
\nthe ascetic resumed his laughter.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Since you laugh," said Mohendra much provoked, "I presume you can yourself get
\nout?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"Follow me," said the Vaishnav, "I will show you the way. You must undoubtedly
\nhave entered the forest in the company of one of the ascetics. No one else knows
\nthe way either into or out of the forest."<\/p>\n

       
\nOn this Mohendra asked, "Are you one of the Children?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"I am," answered the Vaishnav, "Come with me. It is to show you the was that I
\nam standing here."<\/p>\n

       
\n"What is your name?" asked Mohendra.<\/p>\n

       
\n"My name," replied the Vaishnav, "is Dhirananda Goswami."<\/p>\n

       
\nDhirananda proceeded in front, Mohendra and Kalyani followed. Dhirananda took
\nthem out of the forest by a very difficult path and again plunged back among the
\ntrees.<\/p>\n

       
\nOn leaving the forest, one came after a little while to a common with trees. To
\none side of it there was the highway running along the forest, and in one place
\na little river flowed out of the woodland with a murmuring sound. Its water was
\nvery clear but dark like a thick cloud. On either bank beautiful dark-green
\ntrees of many kinds threw their shadows over the river, and in their branches
\nbirds of different families sat and gave forth their various  notes. Those
\nnotes too were sweet and mingled with the sweet cadence of the stream. With a
\nsimilar harmony the shadows of the trees agreed and mingled with the colour of
\nthe stream. Kalyani sat under a tree on the bank and bade her husband sit near.
\nMohendra sat down, and she took her child from her husband’s lap into her own.
\nKalyani held her husband’s hand in hers and for some time sat in silence. Then
\nshe asked, "Today I see that you are very melancholy. The calamity that was on
\nus, we have escaped; why then are you so sad?"<\/p>\n

       
\nMohendra answered with a deep sigh, "I am no longer my own man, and what I am to
\ndo, I cannot understand."<\/p>\n

       
\n"Why?" asked Kalyani.<\/p>\n

       
\n"Hear what happened to me after I lost you," said Mohendra, and he gave a
\ndetailed account of all that had happened to him.<\/p>\n

       
\nKalyani said, "I too have suffered greatly and gone through many misadventures.
\nIt will be of no advantage to you to hear it. I cannot say<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 348<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

how I managed to sleep
\nin such exceeding misadventure, but today in the early hours of the morning I
\nfeel asleep, and in my sleep I saw a dream. I saw \u2014
\nI cannot say by what force of previous good works I went there , \u2014 but I saw
\nmyself in a region of wonder, where there was no solid Earth, but only light, a
\nvery soft sweet light, as if of a cool lustre broken by clouds. There was no
\nhuman being there, only luminous forms; no noise, only a sound as if of sweet 
\nsong and music at a great distance. Myriads of flowers seemed to be ever newly
\nin bloom, for the scent of them was there, jasmines of many kinds and other
\nsweet-smelling blossoms. There in a place high over all,. the cynosure of all,
\nsomeone seemed to be sitting, like a dark blue hill that has grown bright as
\nfire and burns softly from within. A great fiery crown was on his head, his arms
\nseemed to be four. Those who sat on either side of him, I could not recognize;
\nbut I think they were women by their forms, but so full of beauty, light and
\nfragrance that every time I gazed in that direction, my senses were perplex \u2014 I
\ncould not fix my gaze nor see who they were. In front of the Four-Armed another
\nwoman’s form seemed to be standing. She too was luminous, but surrounded by
\nclouds so that the light could not well manifest itself; it could only be dimply
\nrealised that one in the form of a woman wept, one full of heart’s distress, one
\nworn and thin, but exceedingly beautiful. It seemed to me that the worn and
\ncloud-besieged woman pointed to me and said, ‘This is she, for whose sake
\nMohendra will not come to my bosom.’ Then there was a sound like the sweet clear
\nmusic of a flute; it seemed that the Four-Armed said to me, ‘Leave your husband
\nand come to Me.’ I wept and said, ‘How shall I come, leaving my husband?’ Then
\nthe flute-like voice came again, ‘I am husband, father, mother, son, daughter;
\ncome to Me.’ I do not remember what I said. Then I woke." Kalyani spoke and was
\nagain silent.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\nalso, astonished, amazed, alarmed, kept silent. Overhead the doyel <\/i> began
\nits clamour, the pāpiā <\/i>flooded heaven with its voice, the call of the
\ncuckoo set the regions echoing, the bhringarāj <\/i>made the grove quiver with
\nits sweet cry. At their feet the stream murmured softly between its banks. The
\nwind carried to them the soft fragrance of the woodland flowers. In places bits
\nof sunlight glittered on the waves of the revulet. Somewhere palm-leaves rustled
\nin the slow wind. Far off a blue range of<\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 349<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

mountains met the eye.
\nFor a long time they remained silent in delight. Then Kalyani again asked, "What
\nare you thinking?"<\/p>\n

       
\n"I am thinking what I should do. The dream is nothing but a thought of fear, it
\nis born of itself in the mind and of itself it disappears,
\n\u2014 a bubble from the waking life. Come, let us go
\nhome."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "Go
\nwhere God bids you," said Kalyani and put her child in her husband’s lap.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\ntook his daughter in his lap and said, "And you, \u2014 where will you go?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Kalyani,
\ncovering her eyes with her hands and pressing her forehead between them,
\nanswered, "I too will go where God has bid me."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\nstarted and said, "Where is that? How will you go?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Kalyani
\nshowed him the small box of poison.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "I meant
\nto take it, but \u2014 " Kalyani became silent and began to think. Mohendra kept his
\ngaze on her face and every moment seemed to him a year, but when he saw that she
\ndid not complete her unfinished words, he asked: "But what? What were going to
\nsay?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "I meant
\nto take it, but leaving you behind, leaving Sukumari behind, I have no wish to
\ngo to Paradise itself. I will not die."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        With
\nthese words Kalyani set down the box on the earth. Then the two began to talk of
\nthe past and future and became absorbed in their talk. Taking advantage of their
\nabsorption, the child in her play took up the box of poison. Neither of them
\nobserved it.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Sukumari
\nthought, "This is a very fine toy." She held it in her left hand and slapped it
\nwell with her right, put it in her right, and slapped it with her left. Then she
\nbegan pulling at it with both hands. As a result the box opened and the pill
\nfell out.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Sukumari
\nsaw the little pill fall on her father’s cloth and took it for another toy. She
\nthrew the box away and pounced on the pill.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        How it
\nwas that Sukumari had not put the box into her mouth, it is hard to say, but she
\nmade no delay in respect of the pill. "Eat it as soon as you get it;" \u2014 Sukumari
\ncrammed the pill into her mouth. At that moment her mother’s attention was
\nattracted to her.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "What
\nhas she eaten? What has she eaten?" cried Kalyani, and she thrust her finger
\ninto the child’s mouth. Then both say that the box of poison was lying empty.
\nThen Sukumari, thinking that here was another game, clenched her teeth, \u2014 only a
\nfew had just come out, \u2014 and smiled <\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 350<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nin her mother’s face. By this time the taste of the
\npoison-pill must have begun to feel bitter in the mouth, for a little after she
\nloosened the clench of her teeth herself, and Kalyani took out the pill and
\nthrew it away. The child began to cry.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        The pill
\nfell on the ground. Kalyani dipped the loose end of her robe in the stream and
\npoured the water into her daughter’s mouth. In a tone of pitiful anxiety she
\nasked Mohendra, "Has a little of it gone down her throat?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        It is
\nthe worst that comes first to a parent’s mind \u2014 the greater the love, the
\ngreater the fear. Mohendra had not seen how large the pill was before, but now,
\nafter taking the pill into his hand and scrutinising it for some time., he said
\n"I think she has sucked in a good deal of it."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n       
\nNecessarily, Kalyani adopted Mohendra’s belief. For a long time she too held the
\npill in her hand and examined it. Meanwhile the child, owing to the little she
\nhad swallowed, became a little indisposed; she grew restless, cried, and at last
\ngrew a little dull and feeble. Then Kalyani said to her husband, "What more?
\nSukumari has gone the way God calls me to go. I too must follow her."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        And with
\nthe words Kalyani put the pill into her mouth and in a moment had swallowed it.
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\ncried out, "What have you done, Kalyani, what have you done?"<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Kalyani
\nreturned to answer, but taking the dust of her husband’s feet on her head, only
\nsaid, "Lord and Master, words will only multiply words. I take farewell."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        But
\nMohendra cried out again, "Kalyani, what have you done?" and began to weep
\naloud. Then Kalyani said in a very soft voice, "I have done well. You might
\notherwise neglect the work give you by Heaven for the sake of so worthless a
\nthing as a woman. See, I was transgressing a divine command, therefore my child
\nhas been taken from me. If I disregarded it further, you too might go."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        Mohendra
\nreplied with tears, "I could have kept you somewhere and come back, \u2014 when our
\nwork had been accomplished, I could have again been happy with you. Kalyani, my
\nall! Why have you done this thing? You have cut from me the hand by whose
\nstrength I could have held the sword. What am I without you?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n        "Where
\ncould you have taken me? Where is there any place? Mother, father, friends, all
\nin this terrible time of calamity have perished. In whose <\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 351<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nhouse is there any place for us, where is the road
\nwe can travel, where will you take me? I am a burden hanging on your neck. I
\nhave done well to die. Give me this blessing that when I have gone to that
\nluminous world, I may again see you." With these words Kalyani again took the
\ndust of her husband’s feet and placed it on her head. Mohendra made no reply,
\nbut once more began to weep. Kalyani again spoke, \u2014 her voice was very soft,
\nvery sweet, very tender, as she again said, "Consider who has the strength to
\ntransgress what God has willed, He has laid his command on me to go; could I
\nstay, if I would? If I had not died of my own will, inevitably someone else
\nwould have slain me. I do well to die. Perform with your whole strength the vow
\nyou have undertaken; it will create a force of well-doing by which I shall
\nattain heaven and both of us together will enjoy celestial bliss to all
\neternity."<\/font><\/p>\n

\n       
\nMeanwhile the little girl threw up the milk she had drunk and recovered, \u2014 the
\nsmall amount of poison that she had swallowed was not fatal. But at that time
\nMohendra’s mind was not turned in that direction. He put his daughter in
\nKalyani’s lap and closely embracing both of them began to weep incessantly. Then
\nit seemed that in the midst of the forest a soft yet thunder-deep sound arose, \u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\n"O Hari, O Murari, O foe of<\/font><\/p>\n

\n               
\nKaitabh and Madhu!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nO Gopal, O Govinda, O Mukunda,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n               
\nO Shauri!"<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n        By that
\ntime the poison had begun to act on Kalyani. Her consciousness was being
\nsomewhat taken from her; in her half-unconscious condition she seemed to hear
\nthe words ringing out in the marvellous flute-like voice she had heard in the
\nVaikuntha of her dream:<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\n"O Hari, O Murari, O foe of<\/font><\/p>\n

\n               
\nKaitabh and Madhu!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n           
\nO Gopal, O Govinda, O Mukunda,<\/font><\/p>\n

\n               
\nO Shauri!"<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n        Then
\nKalyani in her semi-unconsciousness began to sing in a voice sweeter than any
\nApsara’s:<\/font><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 352<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n


\n           
\n<\/span><\/font><\/span>
\n\u201c0 Hari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe<\/span><\/p>\n


\n               
\n<\/span><\/font><\/span>
\n
\nKaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

        She cried to Mohendra<\/span>:
\n\u201cSay,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>0
\nHari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

        Deeply moved by the sweet voice that rose
\nfrom the forest and the sweet voice of Kalyani<\/span> and in
\nthe grief of his heart thinking, \u201cGod is my only helper,\u201d Mohendra<\/span>
\ncalled aloud,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>\u201c0
\nHari<\/span> 0 Murari<\/span>, O foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

        Then from all sides the sound arose,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>\u201c0
\nHari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\n       
\n<\/span>Then it seemed as if the very birds in the
\ntrees were singing,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>\u201c0 Hari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\n<\/span>        It seemed as if the murmurs of the river
\nrepeated,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>\u201c0 Hari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\n       
\n<\/span>Then Mohendra<\/span>,
\nforgetting his grief and affliction and, full of ecstasy, sang in one voice
\nwith Kalyani<\/span>,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n           
\n<\/font><\/span>\u201c0 Hari<\/span>, 0 Murari<\/span>, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n               
\n<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh<\/span> and Madhu<\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n


\n       
\n<\/span>From the forest the cry seemed to rise in
\nchorus with their song, <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 353<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n


\n\t           
\n\t<\/font><\/span>\u201c0 Hari
\n\tO Murari, 0 foe of<\/span><\/p>\n


\n\t                 
\n\t<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t        Kalyani\u2019s voice became fainter
\n\tand fainter, but still she cried,<\/span><\/p>\n

 \n\t<\/p>\n

\n\t           
\n\t<\/font><\/span>\u201c0 Hari,
\n\t0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t                 
\n\t<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t
\n        <\/span>
\n\tThen by degrees her voice grew
\n\thushed, no sound came from her lips, her eyes closed, her body grew cold,
\n\tand Mohendra understood that Kalyani had departed to Vaikuntha with the cry
\n\tof \u201c0 Hari, 0 Murari\u201d, on her lips. Then Mohendra began to call out loudly
\n\tlike one frantic, making the forest quiver and startling the birds and
\n\tbeasts,<\/span><\/p>\n

 \n\t<\/p>\n

\n\t             \u201c0 Hari,
\n\t0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t               
\n\t<\/font><\/span>Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t
\n        <\/span>
\n\tAt that time one came and,
\n\tembracing him closely, began to call with him in a voice as loud as his<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t           <\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n

           
\n\t<\/span> \u201c0 Hari,
\n\t0 Murari, 0 foe of <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t                   Kaitabh and Madhu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t
\n        <\/span>
\n\tThen in that glory of the
\n\tInfinite, in that boundless forest, before the body of her who now travelled
\n\tthe eternal way, the two sang the name of Eternal God. The birds and beasts
\n\twere voiceless, the earth full of a miraculous beauty, \u2014 the fitting temple
\n\tfor this highest anthem. Satyananda sat down with Mohendra in his arms. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 354<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tCHAPTER THIRTEEN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tMeanwhile there was a great
\n\tcommotion on the high road in the capital. The noise went abroad that
\n\tSannyasins had plundered the revenue that was being despatched from the
\n\troyal treasury to Calcutta. Then by order of the Government sepoys and
\n\tspearsmen sped on all sides to seize Sannya\u00adsins. Now at that time in that
\n\tfamine-stricken country there was no great number of real Sannyasins; for
\n\tthese ascetics lived upon alms, and when people themselves get nothing to
\n\teat, there is not likely to be anyone to give alms to the mendicant.
\n\tTherefore all the genuine ascetics had fled from the pinch of hunger to the
\n\tcountry about Benares and Prayag.<\/u> Only the Children wore the robe of
\n\tthe Sannyasin when they willed, abandoned it when abandonment was needed.
\n\tNow too, many, seeing trouble abroad, left the dress of the ascetic. For
\n\tthis reason the hungry retainers of power, unable to find a Sannyasin
\n\tanywhere, could only break the water-jars and cooking-pots of the
\n\thouseholders and return with their empty bellies only half-filled.
\n\tSatyananda alone would at no time leave his saffron robe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            At the moment when
\n\ton the bank of that dark and murmurous rivulet, on the borders of the high
\n\troad, at the foot of the tree on the water\u2019s verge, ^ Kalyani lay still and
\n\tMohendra and Satyananda in each other\u2019s embrace were calling on God with
\n\tstreaming eyes, Jamadar Nazir-ud-din and his sepoys arrived at the spot.
\n\tForthwith he put his hand on Satyananda\u2019s throat and said, \u201cHere is a rascal
\n\tof a Sannyasin.\u201d Immediately another seized Mohendra, for a man who consorts
\n\twith Sannyasins must necessarily be a Sannyasin. A third hero was about to
\n\tarrest the dead body of Kalyani where it lay at length on the grass. Then he
\n\tsaw that it was the corpse of a woman and very possibly might not be a
\n\tSannyasin, and did not proceed with the arrest. On the same reasoning they
\n\tleft the little girl alone. Then without colloquy of any kind they bound the
\n\ttwo prisoners and marched them off. The corpse of Kalyani and the still
\n\tliving body of her little daughter remained lying unprotected at the foot of
\n\tthe tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Mohendra was at
\n\tfirst almost senseless with the oppression of grief and the frenzy of divine
\n\tlove; he could not understand what was toward or what had happened and made
\n\tno objection to being bound; but when they had gone a few paces, he awoke to
\n\tthe fact that they were being led away in bonds. Immediately it occurred to
\n\thim that Kalyani\u2019s corpse was left lying without funeral rites, that his
\n\tlittle daughter was left lying unprotected            <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tPage\u2013 355<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\tand that even now wild beasts
\n\tmight devour them; he wrenched his hands apart by sheer force and with the
\n\tone wrench tore his bonds apart. With one kick he sent the jamadar sprawling
\n\tto the ground and fell upon one of the sepoys; but the other three seized
\n\thim from three sides and once more over\u00adpowered him and rendered him
\n\thelpless. Then Mohendra in the wretched\u00adness of his grief said to the
\n\tBrahmacharin Satyananda: \u2014 \u201cIf only you had helped me a little, I would have
\n\tslain these five miscreants.\u201d \u201cWhat strength is there,\u201d answered Satyananda,
\n\t\u201cin this aged body of mine, \u2014 except Him on whom I was calling, I have no
\n\tother strength. Do not struggle against the inevitable. We shall not be able
\n\tto overpower these five men. Come, let us see where they will take us. The
\n\tLord will be our protection in all things.\u201d Then both of them without
\n\tfurther attempt at escape followed the soldiers. When they had gone a little
\n\tdistance, Satyananda asked the sepoys, \u201cMy good fellows, I am in the habit
\n\tof calling on the name of Hari; is there any objection to my calling on His
\n\tname?\u201d The Jamadar thought Satyananda to be a simple and inoffensive man,
\n\tand he said, \u201cCall away, I won\u2019t stop you. You are an old Brahmacharin and I
\n\tthink there will be an order for your discharge; this ruffian will be
\n\thanged.\u201d Then the Brahmacharin began softly to sing,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            With the lingering
\n\twind in her tresses, <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Where the stream its
\n\tbanks caresses, <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            There is one in the
\n\twoodland, <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            A woman and fair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Arise, 0 thou hero,
\n\tlet speed <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Be swift in thy feet
\n\tto her need;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            For the child who is
\n\tthere <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t            Is full of sorrow
\n\tand weeping and care.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n


\n\t                On arriving in the city they were taken to the Chief of
\n\tPolice, who sent word to the Government and put the Brahmacharin and
\n\tMohendra for the time into confinement. That was a dreadful prison, for it
\n\twas seldom that he who entered came out, because there was no one to judge.
\n\tIt was not the <\/span>British
\n\tjail with which we are familiar \u2014 at that time there was not the British
\n\tsystem of justice. Those were the days of no procedure, these are the days
\n\tof procedure. Compare the two! <\/span><\/p>\n

Page\u2013 356<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ANANDAMATH OF BANKIM CHANDRA CHATTERJEE  First thirteen chapters only    PROLOGUE               A wide interminable forest. Most of the trees are Sāls, but other…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-08-translations-volume-08","wpcat-12-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=551"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}