BANGALORE-BOMBAY 127
The answer nettled her a great deal and she placed
tefore him a lurid picture of his dereliction of duty and
lack of responsibility. He listened to her with a cool
indifference and said:
"Why do yon worry over the matter? God's \vill is
supreme. All things happen as He wills and at the time
determined by Him/'
"How can you say so ? Do you mean to say then that
human effort has no value?" she retorted.
"Human effort,'4 he replied, "is necessary only to learn
that human effort as snch is useless, and God's will alone is
the real power that controls and brings about all eyents.
When you realize this truth, human effort ceases and clrrine
will starts its work in you, and then you do all things in
the freedom of the soul, liberated from care, fear and sorrow,
This is the real life to be attained. So leave all things to
the Lord by complete surrender to Him."
The mother did not seem to be impressed with this
philosophy. The talk on the subject came to an end. Next
day he returned to Sanjivrao'sinthe evening.
From Bombay he sailed by steamboat to Veraval. On the
boat he f onnd himself in the company of Muhammadans who
were very kind to him- There was also a brahman lad on
the boat in charge of a tea shop. He took a great liking for
Ranidas and provided him with eatables. The other
passengers were also very kind.