144 IN THE VISION OF GOD
friend who with such studious care had tended him on Ms
journey to Badrinarayan. He was also "beside himself -with
delight on seeing Ram das. His stay was decided to he in
the Ram Mandir in which he had resided on the last
occasion. Hence Ramkinkar led him to the temple. The old
pandaji was there. He came out to welcome Ramdas. His
huge frame trembled with emotion and he repeatedly
hugged Ramdas to his bosom.
!Next day, news reaching the other friends, they came in
large numbers. Crowds collected in the temple in the
evenings, and Kamdas delivered in English—Ms knowledge
of Hindi being still poor—Ms message of love and joy.
Followers of different prevailing sects and creeds held talks
with him, either to clea-r their doubts or to press their views
on him. He appreciated their varied standpoints and recon-
ciled himself to them, because, after all, it was the Lord
who has planned tMs variegated world-play. It was given
to him to see and love Him in all.
Kamdas paid a visit to Sipri Bazaar where also he met
many friends and returned to the city. Now he expressed a
wish to live outside the city. A place was pitched upon
named Atkhamba. A small building consisting of a single
room and a verandah stood ou the far corner of the late
Lakshmi-talao, At the edge of the lake there was an eight-
pillared minaret, made of red stone, with a beautifully
shaped cupola, after the style of Moghul arcMtecture. On
account of the eight pillars it came to be called Atkhamba.
To sit on the pedestal of this structure, facing the lake, is to
view a charming sigLt—the still waters of the lake reflect-
ing as if in a mirror the surrounding scenery.
A peepal tree spread its extended branches over the
building. A stone image of Hanuman, besmeared with red
paint, stood below the tree enclosed in an open, rocky
chamber. Ramdas dwelt in Atkhamba for more than a
month. Crowds also gathered here in the evenings. Ram-
kinkar kept him company during nights. Mahadev Prasad