BANGALORE—SHOLAPUR 437
the devotees who had come for the occasion from the various
villages he had visited. He received also an invitation from
Digambar Kulkarni, a vakil, to his place, TJsmanabad.
Eamdas promised to fulfil his wish after completing his
tour in the Sholapur District.
From Pandharpur Bamdas and party went to Angar
via Anjangaum. They had to halt at Anjangaum for a day.
There were now a dozen devotees in his company. As usual
they were guests of Madhavrao. Here an incident took place
which is worthy of note. Madhavrao and the members of
his family were overjoyed at his visit and set about making
preparations for a fine feast. Meantime, an old relation of
Madhavrao in a neighbouring house, was seriously ill.
Madhavrao had, of course, his fears because he had intima-
tion early that morning that the condition of the old
man was precarious. About nine o'clock news reached
"the ears of Madhavrao and his household that the old man
had passed away. Now Madhavrao was of orthodox belief
and practice. According to the orthodox rules, when a near
relation dies, the entire family is considered to be polluted
by the death, and under such pollution religious functions
of any kind are tabooed. Even to touch them or eat food at
their hands is held to bo irreligious. The sad news at this
nappy juncture greatly npset Madhavrao. All the work of
their preparations suddenly stopped. Madhavrao with a
face cast down with regret and disappointment came to
Rarndas and apprised him of the unpleasant tidings. In
reply he assured him that there was nothing wrong. uGod
would not have your function spoiled. The old man may
not have died. Let us wait for further news." Strange as it
would appear, a quarter of an hour had not passed after
this talk, when a messenger came running to tell Madhav-
rao that the old man still breathed and the supposition that
he had died was wrong. Hearing this Madhavrao's joy can
be better imagined than described. Cheer again lighted th&
faces of the members of his house on whom for a