VAS1SHTASHRAM 275
gave him some half-ripe berries. They were hard and yet,
for the sake of the love with which they were offered,
Ramdas put them into his mouth, chewed them a little and
then threw them away. Now the sadhu from the other
cave also came to the scene, and staring at Eamdas said:
4tYou have come here not for yoga but for atmaghata,
downright fool that you are!"
At this fresh fling, Ramdas1 risibility was again excited
and he burst into a hearty laugh.
Then Ramdas addressed him:
"0 Ram, having brought your child here you are
making him fast, and, on the top of it all, you are calling
Mm a fool. Well, do as you will."
Here Ramdas discovered the truth of the saying: "Man
is God playing the fool." The sadhu was uncontrollable in
Ms rage. He could not speak more. He turned round and
went back to MB cave. Another day passed. The sadhu was
careful thereafter to avoid Ramdas. Days were spent on the
rock, and nights in the cave-. Thus passed three more days-.
Now the memorable night. It was on the fifth day,
may be after midnight; the nights were pitch-dark.
Ramdas usually sat up the whale night in the cave. The
cave was suddenly lit up by a strange light. Ramdas
saw seated before him, on the floor about three or four feet
from him, the figure of a man. His face was dazzling with
a heavenly splendour. The feature* were fine, regular and
beautiful. There was a short, black, glossy beard and
moustache on the face. The lips were crimson red, reveal-
ing milk-white, lustrous teeth. Soft shining black curls
flowed down his shoulders. He wore a long, dark, choco-
late-coloured robe or gown with wide, loose sleeves. What
fascinated Ramdas were his eyes. They were scintillating
like twin stars. The rays they were emitting were filled
with tenderness, love and compassion.
Ramdas gazed on th«m, charmed and delighted. It
struck htm: "This is Jesus Christ". There was aniotber
35*