HIMALAYAS- VASISHTASHRAM 265
Further, how shall I instruct you ? You are in the hands of
God and He will see to it."
With these words he accompanied Raindas to the
mandir where he left him. In due course the khichadi
came. It tasted heavenly, for it was full of prem-love.
The interior of the temple was about seven feet square.
Its spire was high up in the air. The whole structure was
built on a raised stone platform. The doors were open. The
last streaks of light of the dying day entering the temple
displayed to Ramdas1 view a number of small brass images
of God on a low, wide stool, standing against the back wall
of the temple. On the wall, over the images, on two pegs
was also hanging a coarse red Kashmir shawl. As evening
approached cold had wet in. Ramdas spread the blanket he
had brought with him on the floor, and removing the temple
shawl covered himself with it and lay down. Indeed,
the divine Mother of the universe is ever watchful to
protect Her children. No sooner had Ramdas closed his
eyes than he heard somebody stepping into the temple.
Ramdas opened his eyes and sat up to find a man sitting
before him. In the dim light his features were not-
visible.
441 am the pujari of this temple/1 he introduced
himself. He scrutinised Ramdas closely, then touched and
felt the shawl, and then looking at the pegs on the wall he
exclaimed:
" So you have taken the shawl. It belongs to ThakurjiY'-—
meaning God.
Ramdas then put him a simple question: ''Can you
show Ramdas where your Thakurji is ?"
At once he cried out: "I beg your pardon, blind fool
that I am. You are He, you are He. You have every right to
use it, mabarajV Instantly, he was all kindness and love.
He further said: " May I get you something to eat ? I have
food ready in my house. It will be no small joy for me to
feed you. Pray accept my humble fare."
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