30 IN THE VISION OF GOD
""Why do you come near our habitation? Our children
get frightened on seeing you. Will it not be better for you
to adhere to your solitary retreat?"
Ramdas heard and passed on.
On another occasion he unconsciously directed his steps
towards the seaside which lay about a mile and a half
from the retreat. He had to pass through a small village
peopled by Muslims. When he was walking along one of
the streets, a number of Muslim boys clustered round him
and stopped his progress. They began to pat on his head,
pull his ears and nose, make faces at and dance round him.
He liked the fun. and also danced in wild delight with
them. All the while, some Muslim mothers were observing
the scene from a distance. Thinking that the boys were
harassing Ramdas, they rushed forward and drove
them, away.
He continued his stroll to the seashore. He sat on the
sands looking on the giant -waves rolling noisily and lash-
ing against the rocks on the shore. He remained for a time
in a state of complete abstraction as his eyes swept on the
limitless azure sheet of water before him. Then lie retraced
his steps to his abode.
(Ii) The Battle of the Elements
In tMs blissful and undisturbed retreat, insects and
birds freely gave Ramdas the joy of their society. They
"would unhesitatingly enter the rooms and play about fear-
lessly. They seemed to have instinctively understood that he
was their friend. Surely, for Ramdas they were manifesta-
tions of the great Truth that he adored and loved. He would
share his eatables "with them.
At this place, as inspired by the Lord, he composed some
poems, prayers and essays. These have already been pub-
lished in the book "At the Feet of G-od".
The season being monsoon the nights were attended