RAWALPINDI-KASARAGOD 471
articles that were in the ashram including a framed board
containing the name * Anandashram' artistically formed
in glass beads. He handed over these things to the visitors
without any hesitation, and asked them if they wanted
anything more. When this business was going on, he was
standing just at the entrance of the room on the verandah
and Krishna Bai was beside him. The lamp was on the raised
pedestal on which he usually sat, to the right side of the
entrance. As soon as the visitors thought that the time for
carrying out their intention had arrived, one of them took
the lantern and with a sweep sent it flying into the court-
yard, by which act the lantern broke and was suddenly
extinguished. Now they found themselves in utter
darkness. The man, who threw away'the lantern, rushing
up towards Krishna Bai fell upon her. Beside her was a
copper pot filled with water. Ramdas was at the time a little
^away from the front door. Realizing the situation he closed
his arms upon the body of the man who was attacking
Krishna Bai with the object of preventing Mm from doing
harm to her, but the other man who was watching the
situation pulled Ramdas from behind with all his strength,
making him give up the hold on the other man, and held him
tight within his arms. Ramdas' whole body thrilled and he
in a loud voice uttered the Name " Ram" three times.
Simultaneously as it were, the Name "Ram" issued twice
from Krishna Bai's lips. At the sound of this Name, the
man who had well-nigh clutched Krishna BaTs throat to
strangle her, let go his hands and started like a scared
creature to run away from the place. Beholding him
taking to his heels, the other man, who was holding
Ramdas in a tight embrace, set him free and jumping
down the verandah followed suit. When leaving
Krishna Bai the man who attacked her pushed her
down causing the small of her back to strike with great
force upon the hard rim of the copper vessel, and the next
instant she rolled down the verandah to the surrounding