264 IN THE VISION OF GOD
wherefrom he could observe the dome of the mandir
referred to by the mountaineer. Here commenced the
descent. It must be noted that the mountain was covered
with a dense forest. On occasions he had to wriggle through
the mazy growth of shrubs and trees. He ran down the
incline at full speed. At the bottom be met again the wel-
come river. He drank to his fill its nectar-like water, and
proceeded to Shivapuri which was now close by.
Ramdas found in the village, besides the temple, only
about five or six huts of cultivators. One of the cultivators,
seeing him, invited him to his hut. Ramdas entered and sat
on a mat spread out for him. He beheld a bonny baby
playing near a grinding stone. He got the baby at once on
his lap and began to fondle and laugh with it. The cultiva-
tor and his wife were tenderly watching him as though a
new child had come to them to play with theirs. Now he
told them that he was on his way to Vasishtashram. Both
of them gazed at him with wonder. He was not only alone
but had nothing with him except his long coat of khaddar,
a cheap sweater as underwear (which he handed to the
cultivator friend before leaving the place) and a piece of
blanket.
"Look here, sadhuji," the cultivator said, kfcit is getting
dark (it was then about half-past-six, evening, when Ramdas
reached the village); you may occupy the temple for the
night. My wife will send you some khichadi. As for your
trip to Vasishtashram I do not know what to tell you.
There is no proper route to it, and without a guide you
cannot dream of reaching it. I know people of your sort
cannot be persuaded to give up the venture. So I would
tell you this much. Go along the bank for about two miles
and you will see on the opposite side of the river a
projecting group of trees bending over the rive)*. Mark
this spot. Just facing this clump of trees, on your side of
the hill, you will discover a footpath. Here, abandoning
the river bank, take to the footpath and climb up the MIL