KASARAGOD 429
the ashram and they were sitting on the verandah. Now
Purnanand's son, a young man, dropped in. Coming straight
to Ramdashe squatted facing him. He said: "I have come to
teach you, if you would condescend to become my disciple.1'
Ramdas replied: "Ramdas is your humblest disciple and
would be highly grateful to you if you would teach him."
Ramdas awaited his reply in an attitude of perfect humility.
All the time Purnauand was fuming with rage at the
behaviour of his son, but Ramdas signed to him to keep
quiet. The son proceeded:
"You have to know that the world is the manifestation
of Ram. He dwells in all beings, creatures and things.
This vision you have to attain if you aspire for absolute
liberation. Do you understand?"
"Yes, by your grace," Ramdas replied.
Purnanand was restraining himself from dancing with
fury, and curbing his tongue from hurling curses on his son.
No more questions were asked. There was silence for some
time. Then the son spoke again.
"Swatniji, T have a question to ask you."
"What is it, Ramji?" Ramdas said.
"You see, in the nights when I sit up for meditation,
my mind wanders. Can you prescribe a method by which I
can have steady concentration and meditation ? "
"Earn, yon are simply wonderful. Have you forgotten
that you are the guru of Ramdas who has come to teach
him what he does not know, vi;s. about God-realization?
Whence is this question about the restless mind and all
that? You are veritably Ram Himself."
"No, no," he impatiently cried out, "I am not Ram.
T am Ravana. Hit me so that I may behave better." Say-
ing this he laid his head at the feet of Ramdas, and when
Ramdas raised him, found that the friend's face was wet
with tears. Soon after ho left, Ramdas learnt from
Purnanand that his son had a bet with his friends in the
bazaar that they should stand him a treat in a tiffin shop if