Ajmer

AT daybreak, he directed his steps towards the city. When he was going through the thickly populated streets of Ajmer, knowing not where he was being led – he was always engaged in the contemplation of Ram – a tall and stout Mohammedan stopped Ramdas and made a sign to follow him. He had no choice in such matters. He always thinks that all calls are from Ram. So, without any hesitation he obeyed the Mohammedan guide, not knowing, nor caring to know, where the friend was taking him. They walked through the streets for nearly a mile and at last stopped at an arched gate. The friend entered closely followed by him. After passing through a courtyard, and on descending some flight of steps and then going through a doorway, a beautiful Masjid came into view. Going in here, he found himself in front of a huge silver Mandap or Tabooth, domed and carved picturesquely.

“This is Khaja Pir,” exclaimed the Muslim friend, “Kneel down here and enlist yourself as the Chela of Mohammed.”

At once Ramdas knelt as bidden by him, in all reverence. Then looking up to the kind friend, he said:

“Brother, there is no need of his enlisting himself here as Mohammed’s Chela, because he has already been a Chela of Mohammed.”

O Ram O Mohammed! How wonderful are Thy ways! In fulfilment of the fervent wish of that young Muslim friend of Raipur, Thou hadst brought Ramdas on a visit to the sacred shrine of the Mohammedans. All glory to Thee, O Ram – O Mohammed!

Leading him out of this holy place, the Muslim friend left him on the main road. Soon after this, he was taken up by a Sannyasi named Swami Ramchandra – a man of pure and tender heart. He became greatly attached to Ramdas and undertook to look after him in everyway. O Ram! How can Thy ignorant slave understand Thy ways! He knows only this much – Thou art all kindness, all love. First the Swamiji inquired in the bazaar for an Annakshetra, and having received the information and got two meal-Chits, took him there; and after finishing meals, led him to a rest-house where he shared his meagre bedding with Ramdas in spite of his remonstrances. His kindness to the poor slave of Ram was indeed unbounded.

O Ram – it is Thyself who appearest in the form of these guides to lead, feed, and take care of Thy slave. Why, for that matter, Ramdas has now come to look upon all human beings, all creatures, all life, all things as nothing but the manifestation of the Divine Ram, whom he is meditating upon day and night. The Swamiji and he remained in Ajmer for three days, and then left for Pushkar Raj. Travelling on the hill for about five miles, they reached a large natural reservoir of water, on one side of which were erected temples and Dharmashalas. The Swamiji and he occupied one of them. Here Ramdas spent five days in Bhajan of Sri Ram. Swami Ramchandra had to stay in Pushkar Raj for some days more.

So Ramdas, at Ram’s command, left the place alone for Ajmer, where he secured the company of a Sadhu. Prevented from travelling by train by Ram’s will, they walked for about 16 miles and then got into a train. The Sadhuram who was complaining of indigestion at Ajmer recovered his health completely by this walk of 16 miles, receiving on the way very little food. Ram does everything for the best. At a junction named Mehsana, the Sadhus met another Sannyasi at whose suggestion they accompanied him to a station called Dharmapuri, where, alighting, they walked straight to the Ashram of a Sadhu residing near the Mandir of Mahadev. The Sadhu gave a hearty welcome to the guests and provided them with accommodation, food, etc.

Ramdas was pressed to remain in that Ashram for some days. But, as the Sadhuram could not do so, he left the place after a stay of two days and proceeded on his journey. A week passed in this Ashram when two Sannyasis from a neighbouring village came there on a visit, and took him to their Ashram which was in a jungle. He remained in this jungle which he found best suited for Rambhajan. The Sannyasis were very kind to him. In this jungle there was a small Mandir of Narahari. The interior of this Mandir was a perfect square – the sides corresponding exactly to Ramdas’ height. Except for one or two hours of sleep in the night, he was repeating the whole night the glorious Mantram of Sri Ram. Here, he proved for himself beyond all doubt that Ram protects with the greatest care the devotees who entirely trust Him and solely depend upon Him.

The jungle was infested with wild pigs, serpents, scorpions and other venomous creatures. Every night a herd of about 20 to 30 wild pigs would surround the Mandir, the door of which was always open. The wild animals would come to dig out roots with their snouts from the marshy land surrounding the Mandir, for these roots were their food. Ramdas was freely going out in the nights when they were about. But by Ram’s grace they never harmed him. The villagers who were coming there during the day would warn him of the ferocious nature of these wild beasts. But complete trust in Ram means full protection and no fear. Moreover day and night the Mandir was freely visited by long black serpents, none of which, however, molested him. Again every morning when he lifted up the gunny or sack piece spread for him by the kind Sannyasis as Asan or seat – which Ramdas would use also for a bed at night – he would discover beneath it a number of reddish yellow scorpions. But none of these stung him.

O Ram! When Thy loving arm is ever ready to protect Thy humble slave, who could harm him? Thou art – O Ram – everywhere – in all creatures – the whole universe and all in it is Thy own manifestation. O Ram – all glory to Thee! Ramdas, by Ram’s command, remained in this jungle for about a month and a half. The afternoons were mostly spent in the society of cowherd boys who would come to this forest for grazing cattle. They would play upon flutes and give him the pleasure of listening to their sweet music. These boys appeared to him as so many cheerful, active, little Krishnas. By Ram’s grace the stay there proved altogether a most delightful one.

On one occasion, the kind Sannyasi friend took him on a visit to a village, several stations away from Dharmapuri – the name of which is Yadavpur. Here, there was a great congregation of Sadhus. There were in all about 200 in number. It was a feast of Satsang; the beauty of it all was to observe the unstinted hospitality of the villagers. Every article of comfort which they possessed was at the disposal of the Sadhus. One day Ram’s command came to Ramdas to move on. Accordingly he left the jungle against the wishes of the Sannyasis, who wanted him to remain for some months more. Ram passed him on to the care of a merchant at the railway station, who undertook to escort him as far as the merchant travelled. An incident that took place here requires to be related now.