ANJANGAUM-AKGAR 105
judiced. He had on the last occasion come in touch with
Ramdas and had been all Mndness and love. He ran down
to Anjangatun and took over Ramdas to Angar. Nearly
fifty villagers from Anjanganm followed Mm including
Madhavrac and many members of Ms household. Divine
love was fully at work in the hearts of these simple and
pure country-folk. It was a walk of about three miles;
Raindas and party duly reached Angar.
The brahman Ramdas was there. He came and sat near
Ramdas. His fooks were full of contempt and his manner
cold and overbearing. There was now quite a crowd around
Ramdas. The Brahman asked Ramdas a question: "What is
pancMkarana ?"
Ramdas replied that he was not learned and his know-
ledge of such matters was very little. At this he laughed
derisively and then raising his voice told the assembled
people that they were veritable fools to have come to pay
homage to an impostor whose only qualification was Ms
colossal ignorance. The hearers did not relish this pointed
attack and hung their heads down. As for Ramdas, he
broadened his usual smile and remained perfectly calm and
quiet. Hundreds of visitors streamed into Balwantrao's
house, and afforded Ramdas the happiness of their company.
Their love for him was marvellous. The brahman chafed
and burned with the fire of jealousy. The day passed. Next
day there was a big feast. The brahman openly refused to
join it.
In the evening he proposed to perform a harikatha. On
such occasions Ramdas was made to sit in a prominent
place, and the performance would take place in front of
him in the midst of a vast multitude. So also did it happen
tMs time. The brahman Ramdas, who brought about the
Situation to serve his purpose, indirectly levelled at Ramdas
a most spirited diatribe. After dilating at length upon the
qualities of a hypocritical sadhu, he concluded the katha
with tMs peroration:
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