"Yes, my sister is living. She sometimes stays with me here, but at
present she is at our family home in Biur." Lambadar Babu glanced
doubtfully at the Ford. "I hardly think, Swamiji, that any automobile
has ever penetrated into the interior as far as Biur. It might be
best if you all resign yourselves to the ancient jolt of the bullock
cart!"
As one voice our party pledged loyalty to the Pride of Detroit.
"The Ford comes from America," I told the lawyer. "It would be a
shame to deprive it of an opportunity to get acquainted with the
heart of Bengal!"
"May Ganesh {FN46-4} go with you!" Lambadar Babu said, laughing.
He added courteously, "If you ever get there, I am sure Giri Bala
will be glad to see you. She is approaching her seventies, but
continues in excellent health."
"Please tell me, sir, if it is absolutely true that she eats
nothing?" I looked directly into his eyes, those telltale windows
of the mind.
[Illustration: GIRI BALA, This great woman yogi has not taken food
or drink since 1880. I am pictured with her, in 1936, at her home
in the isolated Bengal village of Biur. Her non-eating state has
been rigorously investigated by the Maharaja of Burdwan. She employs
a certain yoga technique to recharge her body with cosmic energy
from the ether, sun, and air.--see giribala.jpg]
"It is true." His gaze was open and honorable. "In more than five
decades I have never seen her eat a morsel.
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