Ramdas* words did not elicit any reply nor did he evince
any sign that he had comprehended them. The night
passed. Early next morning the train reached the Chhraknt
station. Alighting, Ramdas and the bania move<l towards
the hills of Chitrakut which lay about three miles from the
station. On the way he had again a conversation with
the bania.
"Are yon doing any sadhana, Ramji, for conceutration
of mind?" Ramdas asked.
"Why not?," he returned, "I am taking God's Name
sometimes."
"Sometimes is no good,*' Ramdas said, '"you ought to
repeat the Name ceaselessly, and keep tip an unbroken flow
of remembrance in your thoughts."
"'So far as that is concerned I am all right,M he
cut short.
"Rainji, leave Ramdas alone. You live your own life,
because he zanders alone," Ramdas put in.
"No, no" he said with vehemence, "I am not giving
you up*
"The path Ramdas walks is beset with pains and dangers.
He is fearless and has no dread of death. To follow him
would mean for you so much discomfort and misery,"'
suggested Ramdas.
"I too am not afraid of anything. I can adapt myself to
any life you choose to live. I am determined to cast nay lot
with yon," he spoke with great emphasis.
Raoidas had no alternative but to submit. SoGk>d willed.
Now they reached the banks of the river MandakiBi in the
heart of the town. They came to a bathing gh-at where
Ramdas took his seat on a low, worn out table. The fit of
vairagya that had seized the bania was at work- He removed
his shirt and, calling a passing barber, squatted down on a
stone step.
"Shave me clean/' he instructed the barber, **I am
taking up sannyas."