"What are your plans, my wandering brother?"
"Jitendra persuaded me to Agra. We shall view the beauties of the
Taj Mahal {FN11-2} here," I explained. "Then we are going to my
newly-found guru, who has a hermitage in Serampore."
Ananta hospitably arranged for our comfort. Several times during
the evening I noticed his eyes fixed on me reflectively.
"I know that look!" I thought. "A plot is brewing!"
The denouement took place during our early breakfast.
"So you feel quite independent of Father's wealth." Ananta's gaze
was innocent as he resumed the barbs of yesterday's conversation.
"I am conscious of my dependence on God."
"Words are cheap! Life has shielded you thus far! What a plight
if you were forced to look to the Invisible Hand for your food and
shelter! You would soon be begging on the streets!"
"Never! I would not put faith in passers-by rather than God! He can
devise for His devotee a thousand resources besides the begging-bowl!"
"More rhetoric! Suppose I suggest that your vaunted philosophy be
put to a test in this tangible world?"
"I would agree! Do you confine God to a speculative world?"
"We shall see; today you shall have opportunity either to enlarge
or to confirm my own views!" Ananta paused for a dramatic moment;
then spoke slowly and seriously.
"I propose that I send you and your fellow disciple Jitendra this
morning to the near-by city of Brindaban.
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