Chapter Fifteen

Night had fallen. Confined within the prison-house, Satyananda said to Mahendra, "This is a day of exceeding gladness. For we have been cast into bondage. Cry aloud, Hare Murare!" In a voice of anguish Mahendra answered, "Hare Murare!"

Satyananda said: Wherefore so stricken, my son? Hadst thou taken up this great vow, thou must of necessity have forsaken wife and child. No further bond would have remained between thee and them.

Mahendra: Renunciation is one thing, the rod of Yama another. The strength wherewith I might have taken up such a vow hath departed with my wife and child.

Satyananda: Strength shall come. I myself shall give it thee. Be initiated in the great mantra, take up the great vow.

Mahendra, in his vexation, made answer: "My wife and child are even now being devoured by jackals and dogs — speak to me no more of vows."

Satyananda: Set thine heart at rest concerning that. The Children have performed the last rites for thy wife — thy daughter they have borne to a fitting place of refuge.

Mahendra was astonished, and gave but slender credence; he said, "How camest thou by this knowledge? Thou hast been ever at my side."

Satyananda: We are initiates of the great vow. The gods show mercy unto us. This very night thou shalt have tidings of it; this very night thou shalt be set free from the prison-house.

Mahendra spoke no word. Satyananda perceived that Mahendra would not believe him. Then said Satyananda, "Thou dost not believe — put it to the proof." So saying, Satyananda came as far as the prison door. What he there did, Mahendra could not discern in the darkness; but that he held speech with some one, this much he understood. When Satyananda was returned, Mahendra asked, "What proof?"

Satyananda: Thou shalt at this very hour win thy release from the prison-house.

Even as he spoke these words, the door of the prison was thrown open. A man entered the chamber and said, "Which of you is named Mahendra Singh?"

Mahendra answered, "I am he."

The stranger said, "The order for thy release is come — thou art free to depart."

At first Mahendra was astonished; thereafter he set it down for a falsehood. To put it to the test, he stepped forth. None stayed his going. Mahendra passed clean out unto the King's highway.

In that interval the stranger said to Satyananda, "Maharaj! Wherefore goest not thou likewise? It is for thine own sake I am come."

Satyananda: Who art thou? Dhirananda Gossain?

Dhirananda: Even so, my lord.

Satyananda: How camest thou to be of the guard?