CHAPTER XXX
RETURN JOURNEY
(i) God is an ocean of Compassion
By this time the roties and dal were ready. The sadhu
procured some large leaves from the shrubs outside, and
packing the food in them he called for the spare kaupin
of Ramdas, and fastening the parcel with it, handed it to
him saying:
uGo to the bank of the river, eat as much as you need
and pack up the remaining food which will serve you on
your way. After you have finished, I will escort you to the
edge of the river where you will find a man with a raft. He
will take you across. You can journey back by a new route,
along the other side of the river."
Accordingly, Ramdas went to the riverside and sitting
on a stone could not consume more than a quarter of a roti
and a small quantity of dal with it. The rest he tied up
again and prepared to start. The sadhu took him to the raft
and instructed the raftman to row him across the river.
Ramdas boarded the raft and the sadhu returned to his cave.
The current in the river was very strong, but the raftman
was equal to it. He rowed on. In mid-stream he asked
Ramdas what he was carrying in the parcel. Ramdas told
him that it was dal and roti. Then, with a bright smile
he said:
"I am so hungry. I shall thank you if you will give the
food to me."
Ramdas needed no asking twice and no thanks. With
the greatest delight he passed on the parcel to him. Ramdas
now understood that Ram wanted him to carry it for the
sake of the raftman.
Ramdas arrived at the other bank. As he proceeded on
the sands a few steps, he found an old man chopping a fallen
tree with a hatchet, for making a post. Ramdas went up to
him and sat beside him.