Part 27 (1/2)

Enthralled by the prospect, I asked hi words He related a wondrous story of his first uru, Babaji {FN13-3} Around ht Ram Gopal fell into silence, and I lay down on ; the vast space within ht I openedradiance The room became a part of that infinite vault which I beheld with interior vision

”Why don't you go to sleep?”

”Sir, how can I sleep in the presence of lightning, blazing whether my eyes are shut or open?”

”You are blessed to have this experience; the spiritual radiations are not easily seen” The saint added a feords of affection

At dawn Raave me rock candies and said I must depart I felt such reluctance to bid him farewell that tears coursed down i spoke tenderly ”I will do so for you”

He sround, peace rushi+ng like a ates of my eyes I was instantaneously healed of a pain in my back, which had troubled me intermittently for years Renewed, bathed in a sea of lu the saint's feet, I sauntered into the jungle, le until I reached Tarakeswar

There I e to the famous shrine, and prostrated ed beforewithin ring, zone after zone, all dowered with divinity

I entrained happily an hour later for Calcutta My travels ended, not in the lofty mountains, but in the Himalayan presence of my Master

{FN13-1} Hand-played drums, used only for devotional music

{FN13-2} One is reminded here of Dostoevski's observation: ”Acan never bear the burden of himself”

{FN13-3} See chapter 35

CHAPTER: 14

AN EXPERIENCE IN COSMIC CONSCIOUSNESS

”I am here, Guruji” My shao to the kitchen and find so to eat” Sri Yukteswar's manner was as natural as if hours and not days had separated us

”Master, I must have disappointed you by ht be angry with s only fro from others, so their actions cannot be in opposition to wishes of mine I would not use you for my own ends; I am happy only in your own true happiness”

”Sir, one hears of divine love in a vague way, but for the first tielic self! In the world, even a father does not easily forgive his son if he leaves his parent's business without warning But you show not the slightest vexation, though you reat inconvenience by the many unfinished tasks I left behind”

We looked into each other's eyes, where tears were shi+ning A blissful wave engulfed uru, was expanding the small ardors of my heart into the incos later Iroom

I planned to meditate, but hts They scattered like birds before the hunter

”Mukunda!” Sri Yukteswar's voice sounded from a distant inner balcony

I felt as rebellious as es me to meditate,” I muttered to myself ”He should not disturb me when he knohy I caain; I remained obstinately silent The third ti,” I shouted protestingly

”I kno you are uru called out, ”with your mind distributed like leaves in a storm! Come here to me”

Snubbed and exposed, I made my way sadly to his side