"
We strolled to the inviting sunshine at the entrance, where throngs
of devotees were passing to and fro.
"You are young." The sage surveyed me thoughtfully. "India too is
young. The ancient RISHIS {FN5-3} laid down ineradicable patterns
of spiritual living. Their hoary dictums suffice for this day
and land. Not outmoded, not unsophisticated against the guiles
of materialism, the disciplinary precepts mold India still. By
millenniums-more than embarrassed scholars care to compute!-the
skeptic Time has validated Vedic worth. Take it for your heritage."
As I was reverently bidding farewell to the eloquent SADHU, he
revealed a clairvoyant perception:
"After you leave here today, an unusual experience will come your
way."
I quitted the temple precincts and wandered along aimlessly. Turning
a corner, I ran into an old acquaintance-one of those long-winded
fellows whose conversational powers ignore time and embrace eternity.
"I will let you go in a very short while, if you will tell me all
that has happened during the six years of our separation."
"What a paradox! I must leave you now."
But he held me by the hand, forcing out tidbits of information.
He was like a ravenous wolf, I thought in amusement; the longer I
spoke, the more hungrily he sniffed for news. Inwardly I petitioned
the Goddess Kali to devise a graceful means of escape.
My companion left me abruptly. I sighed with relief and doubled my
pace, dreading any relapse into the garrulous fever.
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