Chapter Twenty Four

Satyananda, his discourse ended, entered with Mahendra into the temple-chamber of the math, where stood that vast four-armed image of marvellous splendour. There at that hour was a wonderful brightness. Many a lamp wrought of silver, gold, and gem-stones lit up the shrine. Heaps upon heaps of flowers, piled in mounds, made the temple sweet with their fragrance. Within the temple another sat softly murmuring "Hare Murare." So soon as Satyananda entered the shrine, that one arose and made obeisance. The Brahmachari asked, "Wilt thou be initiated?"

He answered, "Be gracious unto me."

Then, addressing him and Mahendra, Satyananda said, "Have ye duly bathed, abstained, and kept the fast?"

Answer. We have.

Satyananda. Make ye then this oath in the presence of the Lord. Will ye observe the rules of the Children's order?

Both. We will.

Satyananda. Until the Mother be delivered, will ye renounce the duties of the household?

Both. We will.

Satyananda. Will ye forsake mother and father?

Both. We will.

Satyananda. Brother and sister?

Both. We forsake them.

Satyananda. Wife and child?

Both. We forsake them.

Satyananda. Kinsmen and kin? Men-servants and maid-servants?

Both. All we have forsaken.

Satyananda. Wealth -- substance -- enjoyment?

Both. All these are renounced.

Satyananda. Will ye master the senses? Never sit ye upon one seat with a woman?

Both. We will not sit so. We will master the senses.

Satyananda. Swear ye before the Lord, that for self or for kinsfolk ye will gather no riches? That whatsoever ye gather, ye will render to the Vaishnava treasury?

Both. We will render it.

Satyananda. For the eternal faith will ye yourselves take up arms and do battle?

Both. We will.

Satyananda. Ye will never turn ye in flight from the field?

Both. Never.

Satyananda. And if the oath be broken?

Both. We will enter the burning pyre, or drink poison, and so yield up our lives.

Satyananda. One word more -- of caste. Of what caste are ye? Mahendra I know to be a Kayastha. The other -- of what caste? The other said, "I am a Brahmin's son."

Satyananda. It is well. Can ye forsake caste? All the Children are of one caste. In this great vow there is no reckoning of Brahmin or Shudra. What say ye?

Both. That reckoning will we make no more. We are all the children of one Mother.

Satyananda. Then will I initiate you. The oaths ye have sworn -- break them not. Murari Himself is witness hereof. He who destroyed Ravana, Kamsa, Hiranyakashipu, Jarasandha, Shishupala, and the rest; who dwelleth within all, the all-conquering, the all-powerful, the all-controlling; who abideth alike in the thunderbolt of Indra and the claw of the cat -- He shall destroy the oath-breaker and cast him into the everlasting hells.

Both. So be it.

Satyananda. Sing ye now "Bande Mataram."

The twain in that secluded shrine sang the hymn of the Mother. Then did the Brahmachari initiate them according to the rite.