As though instinctively aware that some
spiritual power was at work, he rose resentfully from his seat on
the ground. I saw him running behind the temple; he approached me,
shaking his fist.
The all-embracing vision disappeared. No longer could I see the
glorious Goddess; the towering temple was reduced to its ordinary
size, minus its transparency. Again my body sweltered under the
fierce rays of the sun. I jumped to the shelter of the pillared
hall, where Satish pursued me angrily. I looked at my watch. It
was one o'clock; the divine vision had lasted an hour.
"You little fool," my brother-in-law blurted out, "you have been
sitting there cross-legged and cross-eyed for six hours. I have
gone back and forth watching you. Where is my food? Now the temple
is closed; you failed to notify the authorities; we are left without
lunch!"
The exaltation I had felt at the Goddess' presence was still vibrant
within my heart. I was emboldened to exclaim, "Divine Mother will
feed us!"
Satish was beside himself with rage. "Once and for all," he shouted,
"I would like to see your Divine Mother giving us food here without
prior arrangements!"
His words were hardly uttered when a temple priest crossed the
courtyard and joined us.
"Son," he addressed me, "I have been observing your face serenely
glowing during hours of meditation. I saw the arrival of your party
this morning, and felt a desire to put aside ample food for your
lunch.
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