318 IN THE VISION OF GOD
few songs sung here. Hence we have come with the
musical instruments."
"All right," Ranadas replied, "Ranidas will only he too
happy to listen to your music."
The light was placed in the centre of the room and the
friends stationed themselves in aline to the left of Ram-
das at the base of the staircase. The music commenced.
The song was in Hindi composed by a well-known saint.
They sang the first verse which meant: "He is ajivanmukta,
or a liberated soul who has discovered the joy of having
Ramnam on his tongue." When they finished the first
verse, there was a sudden stoppage of their song. The
musical instruments also ceased to function. Ramdas
txirned to them to see what the matter was. All the three
of them with mouths wide open and frightened eyes were
looking in the direction beyond the light on the right side
of Ramdas. A venomous snake was observed slowly creep-
ing towards Ramdas. At one bound they stood up us one
man and exhorted Ramdas to do the same.
"Let us leave this place, maharaj, I can find you
accommodation elsewhere," said the piijari. "That snake is
the worst of its kind. It is full of poison from tail to
head. Do get up and follow ns."
Ramdas was cool and quiet, and replied: "Ram, why
are you so afraid of the snake? God himself has given
us darshan in that form. He has come with so much love to
hear your music. He won't do any harm. Sit down and go
on with the kirtan."
"Impossible," cried out the pujjiri, "to sing when the
messenger of Yama himself is so close at hand 1 We -are off.
We advise you to come away with us."
"Don't give way to fear. The snake will do no harm.
You need not sing, but don't run away. You will know
that the snake means no ill," urged Ramdas,
They would not sit down. As the serpent crept nearer
and nearer to Ramdas, they turned like the hand of a clock