We were soon joined
by an elderly woman of dignified bearing.
"Gauri Ma, the princes could not come." One of the men addressed
the ashram hostess. "At the last moment their plans went awry; they
send deep regrets. But we have brought two other guests. As soon
as we met on the train, I felt drawn to them as devotees of Lord
Krishna."
[Illustration: (Left to Right) Jitendra Mazumdar, my companion
on the "penniless test" at Brindaban; Lalit-da, my cousin; Swami
Kebelananda ("Shastri Mahasaya"), my saintly Sanskrit tutor; myself,
as a high school youth--see friends.jpg]
[Illustration: Ananda Moyi Ma, the Bengali "Joy-Permeated Mother."--see
amoyima.jpg]
[Illustration: One of the caves occupied by Babaji in the Drongiri
Mountains near Ranikhet in the Himalayas. A grandson of Lahiri
Mahasaya, Ananda Mohan Lahiri (second from right, in white), and
three other devotees are visiting the sacred spot.--see cave.jpg]
"Good-by, young friends." Our two acquaintances walked to the door.
"We shall meet again, if God be willing."
"You are welcome here." Gauri Ma smiled in motherly fashion on her
two unexpected charges. "You could not have come on a better day.
I was expecting two royal patrons of this hermitage. What a shame
if my cooking had found none to appreciate it!"
These appetizing words had disastrous effect on Jitendra: he burst
into tears. The "prospect" he had feared in Brindaban was turning
out as royal entertainment; his sudden mental adjustment proved
too much for him.
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