Jhansi

MAKING enquiries, they straightaway went to a Dharmashala, and resting here for sometime, at the suggestion of the Sadhuram, directed their steps to the bazaar and obtaining some flour, etc. from a charitable merchant, the Sadhuram prepared a few Rotis and Dal Curry. After finishing dinner they remained in the Dharmashala till evening. Then the Sadhuram proposed a move towards the station which was reached before dark. The same ticket-clerk, whom Ram had brought in touch with the previous night, was found at the gate. Ramdas went to him and requested him to allow them to proceed to Bombay by the night train. Although at first he consented to do so, when the train arrived at 2 a.m. he refused them admission to the platform. It was all Ram’s wish. So they had to spend another night in the station, which meant cold, stiffening and swelling of the limbs for a second time.

Next morning, they retraced their steps again to the city. The state of the Sadhuram’s mind at this time was most miserable. Coming to the same Dharmashala, they met two Telugu Sadhus. The Sadhuram after a short talk with these Sadhus at once made up his mind to give up the company of Ramdas and join them. It was again all Ram’s making. His ways are always inscrutable. Total submission to Him means no anxiety, no fear, no pain and all assurance. About half an hour later Ramdas was left alone in the company of Ram whose name he was uttering without cessation. The new Sadhus and the Sadhuram – who was so long his guide and foster-mother, as it were – departed from the Dharmashala. Ramdas was meditating on Ram unconcerned at the severance of the Sadhuram’s company; for complete resignation to the will of Ram had deprived him of all sense of anxiety and cares for the future. Thus, time was passing in Rambhajan when two friends coming up to him dropped into his hands two one anna pieces, suggesting that he might purchase some eatables from the bazaar and break his fast. Accordingly, he directed his steps to the bazaar. Here, while purchasing some eatables from a sweetmeat shop, he felt at his elbow somebody pulling him. He had now received the eatables. Turning round he heard the friend address him:

“Maharaj, a Seth desires you to go over to him.”

Ramdas instantly followed the friend who led him into a shop, wherein were piled up wheat bags. As he entered the place, a friend came up from inside the shop and fell prostrate at the feet of Ramdas – the mendicant. Rising up with folded hands, the friend requested him to accept Bhiksha at his house that day. This friend was the merchant who had sent for him. He was then asked to sit on a thick white mattress – called Gadi – with cushions to lean against. But Ramdas was a humble slave of Ram. So he preferred to sit on the floor. Here again he was offered a gunny bag on which he sat. After dinner the kind-hearted merchant sat beside him and put him some questions in regard to his movements, etc. – which were all duly answered in terms of Ram’s will, which was alone his sole guide. He further told the Seth of Ram’s kindness and love for his Bhaktas and how he who trusts Ram knows no sorrow and can be happy under all circumstances.

To have Ram’s name on the lips means joy – pure joy – nothing but joy. The merchant was visibly affected to hear these words for he was himself a great Rama-Bhakta. “Sitaram, Sitaram,” was always on his tongue. After a few minutes’ talk, the Seth entreated Ramdas to remain with him for some days. He said that Ramdas’ body, which was then in a most neglected condition, required to be taken care of and that Ram had specially sent Ramdas to him with this sole object. It must be related here that the clothes in which he was clad were all rags. Mahadev Prasad – such was the name of the merchant in whose care he was placed by Ram, – provided him with new clothes dyed in Gerrua, and every care was taken of him by this kind host. Mahadev became extremely fond of him. At nights, in spite of remonstrances, Mahadev Prasad would sit beside the sleeping Ramdas and press his feet. O, the kindness he showered on poor and humble Ramdas was unbounded. ‘O Ram, it was Thee who was doing it all through that friend. O Ram, how good, how loving Thou art!’ Weep on – weep on Ramdas – in silence, weep on – weep not in sorrow but in joy, because Ram’s grace is upon you.

For a month he was detained by Mahadev with him. Throughout the day and night he would not give up the company of Ramdas. At his request Ramdas was explaining to him the meaning of some Slokas from the Bhagavad Gita with the help of the small understanding with which he was gifted by Ram, and Mahadev in return would read out and explain that monumental work of Tulsidas – the Hindi Ramayan. All people in his house were also very hospitable and kind to Ramdas. To prevent any cold affecting the heart of frail-bodied Ramdas, Mahadev got a tight woolen jacket made for him. ‘O Ram, how kind of Thee! When Thou art out to show Thy fondness and love for thy slave, Thou shameth the very human mother who gave birth to Ramdas’ body. Such is Thy unlimited love.’

During Ramdas’ stay at Jhansi, Mahadev Prasad took him on a visit to two Mohammedan Saints. The first was an aged Saint named Mirzaji. He might have been over 60 years of age, lean and bent. He would not speak, but there was a cheerful twinkle in his eyes. In short, he was a mere baby – simple, innocent and free. Mahadev Prasad had brought some eatables with him which he thrust into the Saint’s mouth bit by bit. There was not a single tooth in the Saint’s mouth. The eatables were soft sweets. He chewed and swallowed them unconcernedly. He seemed to recognize nobody. His eyes had an absent and vacant look, though bright. He was visited twice. On the second occasion, he was found sitting on the ground outside his cottage, quietly tearing to bits stray pieces of paper scattered around him.