34 IN THE VISION OF GOD
function. A girl in the house was bed-ridden on account of
serious illness. Ramdas saw her and prayed to the girl's
father to entertain the poor of the town with a dinner in
the name of God and for the sake of the ailing girl.
Generous-hearted man as he was, he agreed to the sugges-
tion. He said that he had already resolved to do so. The
feeding of the poor came about in due course, but Ramdas
was not in Mangalore for the occasion, as he had left the
place earlier. A year later he learnt that the suffering girl
had recovered soon after the feeding of the poor. Trust in
God is always rewarded.
Meanwhile, Madhav had developed a great attachment
for Eamdas. One day ftamdas told Mm that the Lord
willed that His child, that is Ramdas, should take once
more to a wandering life. Now the boy appealed, in a
piteous voice, that he might also be permitted to go with
him. He added that it would be utter misery for him
to live separated from Ramdas. At this Ramdas warn-
ed him:
"Well, Ram, the path which Ramdas follows is a hard
one. For him danger and death have no terror. You must
know that he is a reckless, wild and fearless wanderer. He
deliberately courts suffering because he has discovered joy
in it, Your case is different. So be advised. Do not seek to
accompany him."
Madhav would not yield to persuasion. He was very
obstinate. He assured Banidas that he was prepared to go
through any trial in his company, but would never give him
up. Ramdas had to acquiesce.
Barndas decided to start on foot on a long travel to the
north, via G-okarn—an important place of pilgrimage on
the west coast of India—and informed Madhav about it.
Madhay got things ready for the journey. He equipped
himself with some cooking utensils and foodstuffs which he
shoved into a scrip prepared for the purpose. At this stage
he made a request to Eamdas. He desired to change his name,