22 IN THE VISION OF GOD
other, "I have been on the lookout for grass bundles for
the purpose bait could not procure any, as grass-vendors
could be rarely seen. I arn much worried."
"That is nothing," cried out the other. "My trouble is
worse. Our front-gate needs repair. Stray buffaloes get free
access to my garden and lay waste every blessed thing I
have planted. I called in carpenters for mending the gate
but they slipped out of niy hands like eels. I can hardly
sleep in peace at night."
So on and so forth ad infinitum. Ramclas listened for a
time to their frank exchange of confidences regarding their
private troubles. He felt he was one too many on the spot
and realized that they would better enjoy themselves with-
out the presence of a third party who had no interest in
their discourse. So he quietly glided out of the room and
made his way with rapid strides to the top of a hill outside
the town. Rambling- for an hour he retraced his steps to
his little room. But where were the birds? They had flown
away. However, they dropped in again the same evening
and beseeched him to forgive them for their indiscretion
in discussing1 their private worries, in his presence, at his
retreat.
"With all the sweetness that Ramdas could command
he said: "The room in which Ramdas lives is open to all
for, people who are beset with worldly troubles may freely
resort to it and gain peace and calmness through the re-
membrance of God. On the other hand, if they come to the
room with a bundle of their cares and opening it spread out
its contents, they are simply denying themselves the much
needed solace which the room would otherwise yield."
In one voice they agreed with what Ramdas said, and
promised not to commit the blunder again.
(hi) God assumes All Forms
Another extraordinary experience worth narrating in
some detail befell Ramdas. About ten o'clock in the night