JWALAJEE-PATHANKOT 313
I am here! Hunger is welcome, but tasting food from the
hands of Muslims and chamars—well, I- draw the line
there."
"Ah! Ram," Ramdas exclaimed, "you have failed the
test. The distinction you are making are unnatural.
You are out for universal vision and yet you adhere to these
ignorance-born prejudices! The Muslim and the chamar
ought to be the beloved Ram for you. Is He nut dwelling
in all?"
"You are right," he agreed, "but to rise above the
distinction of caste is very hard. Look at the way how
I was fooled by it."
"One more attempt," he said and left. In a few
minutes he returned with a bland smile.
" Swamiji, come on. We have an invitation for supper
in a Hindu household."
Ramdas followed him. The kind host was a touring
officer. After the meal they rested on the verandah and
early at daybreak took their departure. By noon they
arrived at Kangra, Kangra is a hilly tract of land full of
shady trees and clear water springs. The climate here is
cool and bracing, and so it is a health resort. Ramdas
passing through the streets, went outside the city and, enter-
ing the enclosure of a Mahadeva's temple, beneath two giant
banyan trees, sat down on a stone pedestal in front of the
temple. Ramcharandas stayed behind in the city. His
first concern was to arrange for meals. A visitor to the
temple seeing Ramdas came to Mm.
" Maharaj, I shall be so happy to offer you bhiksha in
my house," he said. " Or if you wish to have the food here
I shall bring it here."
"Ramji, Ramdas will visit your house for bhiksha,"
replied Ramdas; " but you have to feed also another who
is Ramdas' companion. He will be here presently."
"All right, maharaj, I shall come here to fetch you
both at exactly twelve," he said and returned to the city.
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