244 IN THE VISION OF GOD
While this open indictment was made to his face the
sannyasi, with one leg resting-in a lordly style on the other
and his right hand twisting one side of his moustache, was
smiling most approvingly as though he were, listening to
some glorious exploits of which he was the hero. Ramdas
then briefly spoke to him about the true qualities of a sadhn.
"If a sadhu were to remain for a long time at any
particular place, he must live outside the town and go to it
only to receive his bhiksha. He must never harass the
householders. He must cultivate patience and forgiveness.
He must never enter their houses without the permission of
the master of the house. He should not ask for money,
hut be satisfied only with the food that is offered him. To
wish ill of anybody or heap curses on anyone is quite
contrary to the principles of a sadhu. When he wears the
sannyasi robes, he should never bj- his conduct disgrace the
cloth. The cloth stands for absolute renunciation. If he
finds himself unfit for it, he must never adopt it, or, if he
has taken to it through an error of judgement, he ought to
give it up as soon as he discovers the mistake, lest people
be deceived by his appearance.
"He must never frequent the bazaars. He must adhere
to his solitary abode and do the necessary sadhanas. or
enlighten those who go to him for spiritual help. If his
trust in the supreme Truth and his confidence in his own
desireless efforts are weak and, as a consequence, he can-
not progress towards a life which is self-sufficient and in-
dependent, he would do well to abandon the sadhu's garb
and life and take to any honest profession for his living,
suited to his nature. To be a pest and burden to society is
to court evil for himself, besides being a nuisance to those
who come in contact with him."
The sannyasi listened with eagerness and concentration
to Ramdas1 speech, a smile playing about his lips.
In the night the sannyasi was given a cloth to cover
himself. Early next morning, as he got up from the mat on