CHAPTEK III
KUDLU-KADRI HILL
(i) Pranayama
Kudln is a countryside two miles to the north of
Kasaragod. Ramdas was lodged in a tiled house of three
rooms on the slope of a valley, above which was an
extensive uninhabited plateau, green with verdure and
shrubs. At the foot of the house was a shallow excavation,
from one side of which was flowing down a narrow jet of
pure sparkling water, supplied by a hidden spring. Majestic
silence reigned over the valley. It was a fit abode for
undisturbed meditation. God willed that Ramdas should
live in such a place.
In right earnest Eamdas started the practice of
pranayama. For long hours he would sit up for the exercise.
He became in regard to food highly eccentric. The supplies
came from Anandrao who was visiting him every morning
to look after his needs. His pure love made him bear with
remarkable patience Ramdas1 innumerable freaks and
fancies in the matter of diet. He changed his diet from day
to day from one thing to another, and at last, went for some
days on mere water-fast. Then he would again revert to
the usual meals.
These experiments in diet coupled with incessant
practice of pranayama reduced his body and gradually
weakened it. The mind lapsed into a state of perfect
listlessness and torpor. It seemed to have descended into
the very depths of inexpressible stillness and silence. On
and on the practice continued. The utterance of the
mantram stopped entirely. All the hours of the day and
night were devoted, almost without break, for control of
breath. At times due to over-exhaustion he would drop
down an emaciated and limp figure. The raja yogi who
initiated him came on a visit. He watched the keen struggle