394 IN THE VISION OF GOD
To this Ramdas replied: "Ramdns is reminded of the
popular song of Kabir in which he says: The fish is thirsty
in water; at this I cannot help laughing. Bo although we
always live, move and have our being in the infinite
ocean of pure bliss, still we complain that we are
miserable.1'
Then the learned and \voll-informod lady said: "True,
the fish can drink water only when it turns on its side,
otherwise not."
"Yes, in onr case," Kamclas replied, "to completely
surrender to the will of God is to turn on the side, then
we are filled with the nectar of immortality,"
One morning mother Elizabeth introduced Ramdas to
an American tourist, a young lady, Mrs. Pym. At the first
meeting she discussed about the movement of Mahatma
Gandhi and her interview with him. She held a prejudiced
view about the Mahatma and his pi'inciples of public
action. Eamdas told her at the close ol" the conversation
that she was welcome to differ from the Mahatma, but to
ascribe to him a deliberate aim at fame and self-importance
as she did, was wrong. He added that she must admit
it was but right that India should be self-sullieient and
independent. India must learn to maintain herself with
regard to her main needs of life, namely, food and clothing
from her own produce and manufacture* Ramdas did not
believe in India's isolation from the rest oŁ the world,
which would mean her decay and death- She must have
free intercourse with other countries of the world, but such
intercourse should be based xipon equality and indepen-
dence. The cult of hate was ruinous. Ramdas might not,
agree with Mahatmaji in all that he said and did, but he
had deep regard and love for him, so be it with her and
all.
In the afternoon, the same day, there was a meeting at
Shet Mohanlal'8 residence. This time three ladies were
present, each of them belonging to a different nationality.