HA:;DA- GCHKAH ?ARVAT 3 55
other forming below a big cavity, having an ^peiiing right
jit the top where the rocks met. The entrance to the cave
-A"S0 it narrow passage through which one ^onld not pas?
abreast. One had to force oneself sideways.
He went inside and saw that the space witbSn was
satiicie&t to accommodate one person. Cav^s exerted a
Grange influence on him. The moment he saw one he
would decide to spend some days in it. This cave also
appeared to invite him for a stay, but on condition
that he should remain in it witLont food and drink,
not even water, observing at the same time the vow of
silence.
Going down to Balak Ram, he said: ta4Bain;i, a little way
up there is a cave. Ham wills that Ramuas should dwell in
it and go on an absolute fast. He should not drink even
\vater, and should hold perfect silence/"
**For what period is the fast to last r"" questioned he.
"Earn*las has no idea. Ram will determine it." Ramdas
answered.
Balak Earn obtained through the visitors a basketful
of cow-dung and, having the inside of the cave \vf*ll swept,
smeared it with a layer of it. After the floor was dry he
spread on it a torn mat he had. In making these arrange-
ments Balak Ram manifested great enthusiasm. In the
evening Ramdas occupied the cave. He sat up on the mat
in utter darkness, mentally repeating the Sam-mantram.
Where the rocks that formed the cave met were deep
recesses filled with dry leaves. In the darkness the rustling
noises produced by creeping creatures living in these
recesses would fall on his ears. Sometimes he would feel
they were crawling quite near him. Fear had gone out of
his life. He was calm and undisturbed. An upward glance
revealed the distant blue heavens, glittering with twinkling
stars through the angular opening, at the summit of the
cave.
The day dawned. Balak Bain came to see him and
24