'
"This alarming threat failed to interrupt my regular program; I spent
nearly every evening in my guru's presence. One night my employer
followed me and rushed rudely into the parlor. He was doubtless
fully bent on uttering the pulverizing remarks he had promised. No
sooner had the man seated himself than Lahiri Mahasaya addressed
the little group of about twelve disciples.
"'Would you all like to see a picture?'
"When we nodded, he asked us to darken the room. 'Sit behind one
another in a circle,' he said, 'and place your hands over the eyes
of the man in front of you.'
"I was not surprised to see that my employer also was following,
albeit unwillingly, the master's directions. In a few minutes Lahiri
Mahasaya asked us what we were seeing.
"'Sir,' I replied, 'a beautiful woman appears. She wears a
red-bordered SARI, and stands near an elephant-ear plant.' All the
other disciples gave the same description. The master turned to my
employer. 'Do you recognize that woman?'
"'Yes.' The man was evidently struggling with emotions new to his
nature. 'I have been foolishly spending my money on her, though
I have a good wife. I am ashamed of the motives which brought me
here. Will you forgive me, and receive me as a disciple?'
"'If you lead a good moral life for six months, I shall accept
you.' The master enigmatically added, 'Otherwise I won't have to
initiate you.'
"For three months my employer refrained from temptation; then he
resumed his former relationship with the woman.
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