68 IN THE VISION OF GOD
the seashore, He found there a huge rock jutting out into
the sea. Getting a perch upon it he would watch the giant
waves, lashing against the sides of the rocks. The sea-crabs
would be playing about him and white seagulls fle^r
overhead. The long belt of sand glistened in the sun. At
the close of the day he would meet with a most imposing
sight when the sun was setting. The gradual descent of the
flaming orb into the bosom of the blue sea charmed his
sight. Here, despite the loud roar of the waves, he
experienced a calmness that passes expression.
Day after day went by in silence, water-fast and baths
in the tank. Some villagers hearing of his fast attempted
to break it by making him drink milk and eat fruits. But
he was indifferent alike to the offerings and the offerers. One
day, in his aimless rambles, he approached the bazaar where
most of the shops were owned by Muslims.
'''Who is that man?" a passer-by enquired of a merchant
pointing at Banadas. The merchant replied, his forefinger
touching his temples, *4He is a half crack."
Bamdas heard the remark and going up to them
corrected the merchant's words: '"No, brother, not merely
a half crack; \vhy not say a full crack which is the
truth ?"
He was taken aback at this sudden and strange con-
fession. Bamdas passed on.
Now, what was the effect of the fast on Ramdas ? After
the third day he began to feel physical weakness. Again
three days more; Ms power of locomotion diminished
considerably. He could not walk to the tank at a stretch.
He had to sit down at several stages on the way. There \vas
also a marked emaciation of the body. Eight days later, he
could only crawl on all fours for his bath and drink. He
used to lie flat on his back on the smooth floor of the room.
While trying to rise he would feel as though the back was
glued to the floor. He was awake all the night and day.
There was no sleep for him. Except extreme physical