ERNAKULAM-KASARAGOD--ANGAR-SHOLAPUR 411
being sincere and honest, have an extremely kind and
hospitable disposition. No traveller or guest is allowed to
go from their doors without receiving due service from the
household. They are humble and unassuming in their
manners. They take it that the guest is Yithoba Himself,
the deity of Pandharpur and, on the side of the guest, he
too considers that he is fed and kindly treated by the same
deity. Their mode of living is quite plain; coarse but whole-
some food and thick clothing put on in the old fashion
suffice their needs. They are a hardy and industrious
people. Time is of no account with them and so they are
not bound by its tyranny. They are tolerant, generous, and
self-sacrificing to a degree. They do not harass their minds
and others' with sceptical doubts. They implicitly believe
in the workings of Providence and live always in sub-
mission to Him. Their women are also of the same
incorruptible nature.
(ii) A straight hit
For the Ekadashi, Ramdas was taken again to
Pandharpur where he came across troops of devotees whom
he had met on his visit to the villages. From Pandharpur
on his way to Akalkot, wherefrom he had an invitation,
he made a halt for a day in Sholapur.
Prem Singh, who was in his company, desired that he
should stop with a relation of his who was a great devotee.
Ramdas agreeing, the party consisting of Janardan Pant,
Prem Singh, Maruti and Madhavrao proceeded to the
devotee's house. Here already a noted saint was a guest of
the householder and a puja of a photo of the saint's guru
was in full progress when Ramdas entered. Ramdas"
directly went up to the verandah where the worship was
held. A seat of cushions was by the side of the photo, the
asan of the saint. Prem Singh, who carried a deerskin for
Ramdas, spread it on the cushion anc< beckoned him to
his seat on it. Ramdas unconscious!:" obeyed