CHAPTER XXVIII
HIMALAYAS-VASISHTASHRAM
(i) Upon the precipitous rock
Now, they set out on the journey, trusting solely to
divine guidance. At first a shopman pointed out the
direction they had to take. They passed through several
fields and then waded past the thick growth of a jungle-
As they emerged from it they came upon the bank of the
Ganges, Here they met a cultivator who directed them to
proceed along the river bank. At the same time, he also
warned them that there was no beaten track to Yasisht-
ashram and that, without a guide who knew the route, it
would not be possible for them to reach the place. The
distance to be covered was over twenty miles. God was their
guide. They went forward.
The bank of the Ganges was strewn with big boulders,
and they had to pass over these stones by jumping from one
to another. They trod on thus for about three miles,
when they came face to face with a sloping projection of a
hill or headland at the edge of the river. So, here, further
progress was cut off. They had then to climb the mountain
to their left and pass through a labyrinth of trees, shrubs
and creepers for about a mile. Then after a short descent
they came again in sight of the river bank. While journey-
ing over the mountain, they had to traverse through a tract
called Brahmapuri which they did not notice at the time.
On the banks they continued their journey again skipping
from boulder to boulder. They went on like this for about
two miles.
Here an accident happened which partly disabled
Bhavanishankerrao. The jumping feat sprained his ankle.
SsO he began to slow down. Ramcharandas kept him
company, whereas Ramdas was running in advance. Ramdas
stopped at a spot where further progress was again cut off.
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