358 IN THE VISION OF GOD
The haze lent a weird charm to the view of tbc chequered
verdure and the snow-capped mountains.
About five o'clock a young man of Peshawar,
Shambunath, alighted from his horse. He was dressed after
the European fashion. He came to the spot where Ramdas
stood gazing on the snows of the hills, rapt in the vision,
Hamdas could not resist giving vent to his feelings,
"What a wonderful spectacle; how sublime is this
manifestation of God! He has assumed various forms, but
this particular one unfolding before our sight is simply
glorious. Look all round; everywhere it is He, in the snow,
the mountain, the river and the greon valley—"
Ramdas stopped. Thoughts melted away and words
failed. For, the scene was simply indescribable! Shambu-
nath listened with concentration to Ramdas' outburst and
a change came over him. His face erstwhile pale and
gloomy brightened and a smile played about it.
"Swamiji, I am blest by your darshan,'1 cried out the
young man, "I was sinking under dejection which I feared
to be a precursor of illness. The sight of you and your
exalting utterance have lifted me from depression. I now
feel braced up and cheerful. I am fortunate in having met
you.1'
Later, he introduced Ramdas to his mother, a very pious
lady, and his other friends, who showered kindness and
love on Ramdas.
(iii) A Woman in Distress—Amarnath Cave
Panchatarni is only four miles from the shrine of
Amarnath. The pilgrims usually settle down, here and go
up for a few hours for the darshan of Amarnath and re-
turn to their tents in Panchatarni. Night passed and it was
planned that the party in the doctor's tent should start on
the short journey about nine o'clock the next morning,
return by one o'clock, and leave Panchatarni that very day
aad pass Yavjin the same 'night.