Chapter Thirty Two

Bhabananda set forth toward the monastery, brooding as he went. As he journeyed the night drew on. He went alone upon the road. Alone he entered into a wood. He saw that within the wood there was another man going on before him. Bhabananda asked, "Who goeth there?"

The man going before him said, "If thou knowest how to ask, I will answer—I am a traveller."

Bhabananda: "Bande."

The man going before him said, "Mataram!"

Bhabananda: "I am Bhabananda Goswami."

The other: "I am Dhirananda."

Bhabananda: "Dhirananda, whither hadst thou gone?"

Dhirananda: "In quest of thee."

Bhabananda: "Wherefore?"

Dhirananda: "To speak a certain word."

Bhabananda: "What word?"

Dhirananda: "It is to be spoken in solitude."

Bhabananda: "Speak it here, then; this is a place most solitary."

Dhirananda: "Wentest thou into the city?"

Bhabananda: "Yea."

Dhirananda: "Unto the house of Lady Gauri?"

Bhabananda: "Didst thou also go into the city?"

Dhirananda: "A young woman of surpassing beauty dwelleth there?"

Bhabananda was somewhat astonished and somewhat afraid. He said, "What manner of talk is this?"

Dhirananda: "Thou didst meet with her."

Bhabananda: "And then?"

Dhirananda: "Thou art exceedingly enamoured of that fair one."

Bhabananda (after some thought): "Dhirananda, wherefore hast thou sought out so much? Look, Dhirananda, that which thou sayest is all true. Besides thee, how many know of this?"

Dhirananda: "None other."

Bhabananda: "Then if I slay thee, may I be free of this stain?"

Dhirananda: "Thou mayest."

Bhabananda: "Come then, let the two of us in this lonely place do battle. Either I slay thee and rid me of this thorn, or thou slay me and quench all my burning. Hast thou a weapon?"

Dhirananda: "I have—who without arms could dare speak such words to thee? If battle be thy will, surely I will do it. Strife between Children and Children is forbidden. But for the sake of one's own defence no strife is forbidden with any. Yet were it not better that thou first hear out the whole of that for which I sought thee, and afterwards do battle?"

Bhabananda: "What is the harm—say on."

Bhabananda drew forth his sword and laid it upon Dhirananda's shoulder. Dhirananda fled not.

Dhirananda: "This was what I was saying—do thou wed Kalyani—"

Bhabananda: "Kalyani—that too thou knowest?"

Dhirananda: "Wherefore dost thou not wed her?"

Bhabananda: "She hath a husband."

Dhirananda: "Among the Vaishnavas such a marriage doth take place."

Bhabananda: "That is the way of the shaven Bairagis—not of the Children. Among the Children there is no marriage at all."

Dhirananda: "Is the Children's vow then so inviolable—when thy very life departeth? Fie! Fie! My shoulder is cleft! (And indeed, blood was now running from Dhirananda's shoulder.)"

Bhabananda: "With what purpose art thou come to set my mind toward unrighteousness? Some interest of thine own thou surely hast."

Dhirananda: "That too I wish to tell—press not thy sword—I am telling thee. By this Children's vow my very bones are worn out; I have grown sore weary, and would forsake it and pass my days beholding the face of wife and child. This vow of the Children I will renounce. But have I any means to go and sit down in mine own house? Many know me for a rebel. If I go and sit at home, either the King's men will come and bear off my head, or the Children themselves will set me down for a traitor and slay me as they pass. Therefore would I draw thee with me into my path."

Bhabananda: "Wherefore? Wherefore me?"

Dhirananda: "There lieth the very heart of the matter. This army of the Children is under thy command—Satyananda is not now here; thou art their captain. Take thou this army and do battle; thou shalt conquer—this is my firm belief. And when the war is won, wherefore shouldst thou not establish a kingdom in thine own name? The army is at thy bidding. Be thou a king—let Kalyani be thy Mandodari, and I, thy follower, will pass my days beholding the face of wife and child, and call down blessings on thee. Drown thou the Children's vow in the unfathomable deep."

Bhabananda drew the sword slowly down from Dhirananda's shoulder. He said, "Dhirananda, do battle; I will slay thee. I may be the bondsman of the senses, but I am no betrayer of trust. Thou hast counselled me to be a traitor. Thou too art a traitor; in slaying thee there is no sin of Brahmanicide. Slay thee I will." Ere Dhirananda's words were ended, he turned and fled at headlong speed. Bhabananda followed him not. For some while Bhabananda stood lost in thought; and when he sought him, he could no more find him.