378 IN THE VISION OF GOD
German, an Agent for light machinery, and his two yoiing,
lively daughters. The German was making a new experi-
ment in the working of a small motor-engine fixed to the
boat. The boat now raced on the water at a brisk speed.
The girls were in great glee. They giggled and laughed.
The German conceived an affection for Ramdas. He said
that he held Indian yogis in high regard. He talked freely
with Ramdas on all matters. They went through ten miles
on the river and had a halt at a cool spot for an hour where
they enjoyed a pleasant picnic and a bath in the river. At
parting on their return, the German friend expressed a
desire to see Ramdas again in Bombay where ho would be
going shortly, if ever Ramdas visited the city in the near
future. He handed to Ramdas his card containing his
Bombay address which Ramdas preserved.
From Shambunath's house Ramdas, at the request of
Dnrgadas, shifted to his spacious residence and stayed with
him again for about a week. Now Ramdas had many a talk
with Durgadas. Ramdas found him a learned and well-
informed man. He possessed a clear head and a vast store
of knowledge. He could talk on every conceivable subject.
To converse with him generally was to enjoy an intellectual
feast. He spoke on philosophy and religion with as much
ease as he did on other topics. He was a great admirer of
Kabir and his works. One day ho read out original poems
of Kabir treating of the highest philosophy, and Durgadas,
who was a master in Hindi, expounded them, to Ramdas.
He explained the meaning, entering into the spirit of the
sublime teachings.
One afternoon, in the society of his son-in-law, Bhavani-
shankerrao who had newly come from Bombay with his
daughter, Ramdas had a drive in his motor-car to Verinag,
a place about fifty miles from Srinagar. Verinag, like other
beauty spots in Kashmir, offered a very charming view. It
wias a solitary spot over the hills fully shaded with trees
and watered with numerous springs. At two spots Ramdas