290 IN THE VISION OF GOD

The ''gfcl at first rebelled against the suggestion, but
at last yielded when Ramdas asked him to choose between
him and the money. He lowered the Lug from the peg on
the wall and poured out its contents. The amount was
about five rupees, mostly in copper coins. The sadhu was
for the time being convinced of what Ramdas told him on
the question of money.
"What shall we do with this money? — shall we give it
to some other sadhu?" he asked.
"How can you hand over a thing to another sadhu
when you have found it bad for yourself?" remarked
Ramdas*
"Then, what is to be done?" he queried.
"The only way,1' said Ramdas "is to throw away the
money and have done with it,"
At this hint the sadhu opened his eyes wide at Ramdas
in surprise.
"Come along, fetch the coins," saying thus Ramdas
walked out. The sadhu blindly obeyed, Ramdas led him,
both his hands full of coins, to a meshy, thorny bush which
was perfectly inaccessible.
"Now, throw the coins into the bush," Ramdas
advised.
At one fling the coins flew into the thick bush and dis-
appeared from view. Now they returned to the kuti. This
happened in the evening. Next day, as usual, the pilgrims
had again their indefatigable quest for sadhus and came
in larger numbers than before. They were appealed to, both
by Ramdas and the sadhu, not to make presents of money,
but in spite of their pleading they threw coins on the
floor of the room at its entrance, as was their wont. This
time not only copper coins but also silver rupees rolled
down. In the evening they found that the collection
amounted to several rupees.
Ramdas gave it up— it was Ram's will -and kept quiet
over the matter. The sadhu coolly, as if nothing had