364 IN THE VISION OF GOD
Amarnath, feeling that he could not any longer withhold
the news of the letter from Gopalrao, delivered the epistle
to him. Ramdas now decided. "Janakinath," Ramdas said,
"Ram's will is that Kamclas shall respond to the call from
Gopalrao instead of going out of the way to soo a silent
sadhu, who is not eager to see him, Ho to-morrow
morning- he proceeds to Gandarbal, where Gopalrao appears
to be living in a house-boat, and will spend some days in
his company. It is his earnest desire and the love that he
bears for Ramdas that have defeated your plan of :i visit to
the silent sadhu."
Janakinath, for whom separation from Ramdas was
nothing short of a painful blow, was alarmed at tho pros-
pect. Similar were the feelings of Amaranth and Janaki-
nath's two daughters, those models of purity* simplicity and
devotion. But Ramdas had to obey the command of hip Lord.
The folio wing morning Ramdas stood up to depart fflr
Gandarbal with Ramcharandas as his companion. But
Janakinath stationed himself in tho doorway and said:
"Swamiji, I shall see how you will leave my house.
I obstruct your egress; you shall not go. I am your Ram.
It is Ram's will that you shall not leave me."
Ramdas was now fired with a grim determi nation. He
was not in a mood to brook any hindrance, however great.
He spoke, and his words rang out in a measured and
stern tone.
'Janakinath, Ramdas must go. He cannot be foiled*
Even if Ram Himself were to stand in his way he would
defy him and go."
These words and the manner of their utterance made
Janakinath understand that Ramdas was not to he trilled
with. He cleared out of the way and agreed to his departure.
He would have Ramdas go by tonga, but the distance being
only eleven miles Ramdas preferred to walk. After break-
fasting on milk and fruits, he took leave of Janakinath and
his family, accomDanied hv