GORA LX everybody else? Do you want to shut your eyes and imagine that all men are alike and have been bom into the world in order to become members of the sect known as the Brahmo Samaj? If that is your idea, then in what way do you differ from those robber nations who refuse to admit, because of their pride in physical force, that the differences between nations are of inestimable value to the whole of mankind, and who imagine that the greatest blessing for humanity is that they should conquer all other nations of the world and bring them under their undisputed sway, thus reducing the whole earth to slavery? ” For a moment Sucharita forgot that Gora was arguing, her heart being profoundly moved by tho marvellously solemn sound of his powerful voice. She did not feel that ho was arguing, but the truths which he was expounding awoke a deep response in her mind.
“ Your society,” continued Gora, “ did not create the millions of those who inhabit India. Is it for you to take upon yourself to dictate forcibly what path is best for these millions, what faith will satisfy their hunger, and by what actions they can become powerful? How can you wish to reduce to one and the same level an India of such vastness? When you find yourself being obstructed in the realisation of this impossible task you get angry with the country itself, and the greater the obstacles become the greater does your hatred and contempt become for those whom you wish to benefit 1 And yet you imagine that you worship the God who has made men different and wishes to keep them so. If you truly honour Him, then why can’t you see clearly what His ordinances are, and why, in the pride of your own intellect and party, do you not acknowledge His intention? ” When Gora saw that Sucharita listened to him without attempting to make any answer his mind was filled with compassion, and when he began again after a slight pause bis tone was more gentle: “ Perhaps my words souud harsh to you, but don’t revolt against me because you think I am a man of the opposite party. If I had thought of you merely as representing an opposing sect I would not have spoken a single word. Hut I am distressed when I see your natural liberality of mind confined within the narrow boundaries of a sect.”
“ No, no! ” exclaimed Sucharita, blushing, “ you must not be troubled about me. Go on talking and I will tTy to understand.”
GORA CHAP.
GORA CHAP.
“ I have not much more to say,” said Gora. “ Look at India with your clear intelligence, and love her with your sincerity of heart. But if you regard the people of India, merely as non-Brakmos your vision will be distorted and you will feel a contempt for them, — you will only misunderstand them and will not see them in their completeness. God has treated men differing from each other in ideas and in actions with a variety of beliefs and of customs, but fundamentally one in their humanity. There is something in all of them which is mine, which belongs to India as a whole, which, if only we can see it in its truth, will pierce through all littleness and incompleteness and reveal a vast and wonderful being through which tho secret of the worship of centuries will bo made clear. We shall see that the flame of sacrifice of past agea still burns tlirough the ashes, and without doubt a day will come when, transcending the limits of time and place, that flame will kindle a fire throughout the world. Even to say in imagination that all the great deeds and words of India’s manhood in past ages are false is to show dishonour to truth; it is nothing but atheism! ” Sucharita had been listening with her head bowed, but now she lifted her eyes and asked: “ Then what do you tell “ I have nothing more to say," answered Gora, “ only this much I would add. You must understand that the Hindu religion takes in its lap, like a mother, people of different ideas and opinions; in other words, the Hindu religion looks upon man only as man, and does not count him as belonging to a particular party. It honours not only the wise but the foolish also, ana it shows respect not merely to one form of wisdom but to wisdom in all its aspects. Christians do not want to acknowledge diversity; they say that on one side is the Christian religion and on the other eternal destruction, and between these two there is no middle path. And because we have studied under these Christians wc have become ashamed of the variety there is in Hinduism. We fail to see that through this diversity Hinduism is coming to realise the oneness of all. Until we can free ourselves from this whirl¬ pool of Christian teaching we shall not become fit for the glorious truths of our own Hindu religion 1 ” Sucharita not only heard what Gora was saying, hi« ideas seemed to become visible before her, and that distant future which Gora saw by the power of his contemplative vision revealed itself to her through his spoken words. For- LX GORA getting all her shyness, forgetting even herself, Sucharita sat looking up at Gora’s face aglow with the radiance of his enthusiasm. She saw in that face a strength expressed by which all the great purposes in the world seemed to have been realised truly by esoteric power. Sucharita had heard many learned and intellectual people of her society discussing principles of truth, but Gora’s words were not mere argument, they were a creation. They were so evident to the senses that they took possession at one and the same time of the body and of the mind. Sucharita to-day saw Indra with his thunderbolt; when the words struck her cars with their deep strong tones her heart trembled and keen flashes of lightning seemed to dance at every moment in her veins. She had not the power to think and see clearly where her opinions differed from those of Gora and where they were in harmony.
Satish came into tho room at this moment, and as ho always 6tood in awe of Gora, he kept ns far away from him as possible, and going up to his sister said in a whisper: “ Panu Babu has come.” Sucharita started as though she had been struck, for she was in a frame of mind iu which she would have given anything to be able to get rid of this unwelcome visitor. Thinking that Gora bad not heard Satish’s whispered remark she got up and hurried out of the room. She went straight downstairs, and addressing Haran Babu, said: “ You must excuse me, but it will not bo convenient for me to talk with you to-day.”
“ Why won’t it be convenient? ” queried Haran Babu.
“ If you will call on my father to-morrow morning,” said Sucharita, without answering his question, “ you will be able to see me there.”
“ To-day I suppose you have visitors? ” observed Haran Babu.
“ I have no time to spare just now,” said Sucharita, avoid¬ ing this question also. “ I beg you to excuse me for to-day.”
“ But,” persisted Haran Babu, “ I heard the sound of Gourmohan Babu’s voice from the street. He is here I suppose? ” Unable to avoid this direct inquiry, Sucharita said with a blush: “ Yes, he is.”
“ That’s a good thing,” exclaimed Haran Babu. “ I want to have a word with him also. If you have any special work to do you cau leave me to talk with Gourmohan Babu for a little.” And without waiting for Sucharita’s assent he went npstairs, followed by Sucharita, who, as she entered the room, GORA CHAP.
said to Gora, without so much as a glance towards Haran Babu: “ My aunt went to prepare some refreshments for you, I will just go and sco her about it.” With this remark she left the room hurriedly, while Haran Babu with a solemn face took possession of a chair.
“ You seem to be looking rather ill,” remarked Haran Babu.
“ Yes,” assented Gora. “ I happen to have been undergoing reccntlv some treatment for making me unwell.”
“ That is true,” answered Haran Babu, softening his voice. “ You must have suffered a good deal.”
“ Not much more than was hoped for,” said Gora sarcastically.
“ I have a matter to discuss with you in reference to Binoy Babu,” said Haran Babu, changing the subject. “ I expect you know that he is making preparations for being admitted into the Brahmo Samaj on Sunday? ” “ No, I had not heard that,” answered Gora.
“ Bo you approve of this step? ” asked Haran Babu.
“ Binoy docs not ask for my approbation," replied Gora.
“ Bo you think,” pursued Haran Babu, “ that Binoy Babu’s faith is sufficiently strong for him to be ready for initiation? ” “ When he has expressed his willingness to be initiated,” replied Gora, “ then such a question is entirely superfluous.”
“ When we have a strong inclination towards something,” observed Haran Babu, “ then we do not give ourselves sufficient leisure for considering what we believe and what we do not believe. You know human nature.”
“ I don’t engage in futile discussions on the subject of human nature,” snapped Gora.
“ Although,” said Haran Babu, " my opinions and my society aro not in accord with yours I entertain a great respect for you, and I know quite well that, whether your beliefs be true or false, no temptation will be able to make you waver in them. But - ” “ Of course,” interrupted Gora, “ it would be a terrible loss to Binoy if he were deprived of that small amount of regard which* you have managed to preserve for me! In this world the distinction between right and wrong is a necessary one, but if you want to determine the relative value of things by your own regard or lack of it, then do so by all means, but you must not expect everybody else to accept your verdict.”
“ Very well,” said Haran Babu, " even if that question GORA remains undecided no great harm will be done. But I want to ask you one question. Are you not going to make any objection to this attempt of Binoy’s to marry into Paresh Babu’s family? ” “ Haran Babu I ” exclaimed Gora, turning scarlet. “ How- can I discuss all these matters relating to Binoy with you? Since you are always talking about human nature, you ought at least to be able to understand that Binoy is my friend and not yours.”
“ I have raised this question,” began Haran Babu, “ because of its connection with the Brahmo Samaj, otherwise - ” “ But I am nobody to the Brahmo Samaj,” exclaimed Gora impatiently, “ so of what value to mo can this anxiety of yours be? ”.
Sucharita entered at this point in the discussion, and Haran Babu turned to her, and said: “ Sucharita, I have a matter Sucharita entered at this point in the discussion, and Haran Babu turned to her, and said: “ Sucharita, I have a matter of great importance to talk to you about.”
There was no special necessity for making this remark, but Haran Babu spoke deliberately just to show to Gora on what terms of special intimacy he was with Sucharita. She, how¬ ever, did not answer him, and Gora remained seated immovably in his chair, not showing the least sign of giving Haran Babu an opportunity for an uninterrupted talk.
“ Sucharita,” repeated Haran Babu, “ come into the next room, as I have something to say to you.”
Without taking any notice of his request Sucharita looked at Gora and said: “ Is your mother well? ” “ I have never known mother to be anything but well! ” laughed Gora.
“ Yes,” assented Sucharita. " I have seen myself how easy she finds it to keep well.”
Gora at once remembered how Sucharita had been to see Anandamoyi when he had been in gaol.
Haran Babu had meanwhile taken up a book which lay on the table, and after examining the title-page for the author’s name was glancing at one or two passages.
Sucharita looked uncomfortable and blushed, while Gora, knowing that it was one of his books, laughed slightly to himself.
“ Gourmohan Babu,” inquired Haran Babu, “ this I suppose is some of your youthful writing? ” I’m still youthful! ” laughed Gora. “ In the case of somo species of animals youth soon passes, and with others it persists a long time.”
GORA CHAP.
Getting up from her chair Sucharita said: “ Gourmohan Babu, your food must be ready by now! Will you come into the other room? Auntie will not come out before Panu Babu, so perhaps she is waiting for you.”
This last remark was made by Sucharita as a special hit at Haran Babu. She had borne with so much that day that she could not refrain from returning at least one blow.
Gora got up, and the irrepressible Haran Babu observed: ** Then I will wait for you here.”.
“ Why wait here uselessly? ” asked Sucharita. It is late already.”,., _ But Haran Babu would not budge, so Sucharita and Gora went out of the room..
On seeing Gora in that house and noticing his behaviour towards Sucharita, Haran Babu’s fighting spirit was aroused. Was it possible that Sucharita was going to slip out of the clutches of the Brahmo Somaj so easily? Was there no one who could rescue her? Somehow or other this would have to be stopped!
Taking a sheet of writing-paper Haran Babu wrote a letter to Sucharita. He was a man of certain fixed ideas, one of which was that whenever, in the name of truth, he administered a scolding to any one his spirited words could never remain without some fruit. He never thought that words are not everything and that there is a reality known as the heart of When, after a long talk with Harimohim, Gora went into Sucbarita’s room to fetch his stick it was already evening. A lighted lamp stood on Sucharita’s desk. Haran Babu had gone, but lying on the desk, where it could not fail to be seen by any one entering the room, was a letter addressed to Sucharita.
On catching sight of that letter Gora’s heart became hard, for he had not a doubt who the letter was from. He knew that Haran Babu had a special claim on Sucharita, but he had not heard that his claims bad met with any opposition. When that afternoon Satish had come in and announced to Sucharita the news of Haran Babu’s arrival, and she had looked startled and had hurried downstairs, and when shortly afterwards she had returned in his company, Gora felt as if a harsh note had been struck. Then again when Sucharita had taken him out of the room to take refreshments and had left Haran Babu alone, although it had seemed to him rather rude behaviour, he had decided that such impoliteness was a ELXI GORA SOI •sien of the intimacv of the relationship between the two. 5fow when he saw this letter lying on her table he received a .'great shock. A letter is such a mysterious object. Because only the name is written outside, and all the vital matter is (inside, a letter has a peculiar power of torturing people. _ “ I will call again to-morrow,” announced Gora, looking ••towards Sucharita.
“ Very well,” she replied with averted eyes.
Just as he was on the point of taking leave Gora suddenly .stopped and exclaimed: Your place is m the solar system of India— you belong to my own country— it is impossible ior you to be swept into the void by the tale of some wander¬ ing comet • When you are firmly established in your right place, then I will be able to relinquish you! People have made you believe that in that place your religion will forsake you— but I must tell you clearly that your truth and your religion •is not merely the opinion or sayings of a few persons; it is united by countless threads with those all around you— you -cannot root it up at will and plant it in a pot if you want to .keep it bright and vigorous with life; if you want to raise it to full usefulness you will have to take your scat in the place •which has been determined for you by the people of your country long before you were born. You must never say, 1 1 am nobody to them, and they are nobody to me. If you •speak so, then the truth of your religion and all your strength will vanish like a shadow. I can assure you that if your -opinions draw you away from the place to which God has .sent you, no matter where it may be, then your opinions will never be victorious. I will come again to-morrow As with these parting words he left the room the very air .-seemed to tremble for a long time after he had gone, and .Sucharita remained sitting motionless like a statue.
CHAPTER LXI “Look here, mother,” Binoy was saying to Anandamoyi, ■« to tell you the-truth, every time I bow down before an idol I •feel somehow ashamed. I have so far managed to conceal Tthnt feeling, in fact I have actually written several excellent Articles in defence of idol worship. But I must tell you the truth, and I confess that when I make an obeisance to an ido> any mind does not give its assent.”
GORA CHAPi.
“ Is your mind such a simple thing,” exclaimed Ananda- moyi, “ you can never look at anything in its entirety, but must always regard things in their fine details? That is why you are so fastidious.”
“ That is true enough,” assented Binoy. “ Because I have; such a keen intellect I am able to prove by hairsplitting: arguments even what I do not believe in myself. All these- religious principles that I have been defending so much all. these days, I havo been defending, not from the point of religion, but from the point of view of a party.”
“ That’s what happens when there is no real attraction to- religion,” remarked Anandamoyi. “ For then religion becomes- merely a thing to take pride in, like wealth, or honours, or race.”
“ Yes,” agreed Binoy. “ We do not think of it as religion,, but go about fighting for it because it is our religion. That’s- what I have been doing all this time, though I have not been able to deceive myself completely. Because I havo feigned, faith where my beliefs have not carried me I have all along; felt ashamed of myself.”
“ Do you think I didn’t understand that much? ” exclaimed. Anandamoyi. “ You have always exaggerated more than ordinarv people do, and from that it was easy to see that because’ there was a hollow space in your mind you had to- use plenty of mortar to fill it up. So much would not have- been so necessary if your faith had been simple.”
“ So I’ve come to ask you,” went on Binoy, “ whether it is- good for me to protend to have faith in something in which- I do not believe s ” “ Just listen! ” exclaimed Anandamoyi. “ Is it necessary to ask such a question? ” “ Mother,” said Binoy abruptly, “ to-morrow I am going: to be initiated into the Brahmo Samaj! ” “ What do you say, Binoy? ” exclaimed Anandamoyi in astonishment. “ Surely that is not necessary! ” “ I have just now been explaining to you its necessity, mother! ” expostulated Binoy.
“ With the faith that you have now, can’t you stay on in. our society? ” asked Anandamoyi.
“ If I did,” answered Binoy, “ I should be guilty of in¬ sincerity.”
“ Haven’t you the courage to stay in your present community without being insincere? ” inquired Anandamoyi. “ The- people of your community will persecute you no doubt, but- can’t jou bear persecution? ” GORA LSI “ Mother,” began Binoy, “ if I can’t live according to the Hindu society, then - ” ■ “ If,” interrupted Anandamoyi, “ three hundred million people can live in the Hindu community, then why can’t you “ But, mother,” expostulated Binoy, “ if the members of the Hindu society say that I am not a Hindu, then can I make myself one by declaring violently that lam?”
“ Tho people of my community call me a Christian,” said Anandamoyi. “ I never sit to eat with them in their social functions, but I don’t see whv I should have to accept their definition of me. I consider it wrong to try and escape from a position which I myself think to be the ono I ought to Binoy was about to answer when Anandamoyi prevented him from speaking by continuing: “ Binoy, I’m not going to allow you to argue about this, it is not a matter for argument! Do you think you can conceal anything from me? I can see that on the plea of arguing with me you are trying to deceive yourself forcibly. But do not try to throw dust in your eyes on a question of such serious importance! ” “ But, mother,” said Binoy with his face averted, “ I have already sent a letter and given my word that I shall take initiation on Sunday.” u “ That can never be allowed,” frowned Anandamoyi. it you explain tho situation to Parcsh Babu he will never press “ Parcsh Babu showed no enthusiasm for this initiation, explained Binoy; “ he is not going to take any part in the ceremony.”.., “Then you need not worry any further, exclaimed Anandamoyi, relieved.
"No, mother,” cried Binoy, there can be no turning back now that I have once given my word. That can never Have you told Gora? ” asked Anandamoyi.
“ I haven’t seen Gora since I decided,” answered Binoy.
“ Whv, isn’t Gora at home now? ” inquired Anandamoyi. “No,” replied Binoy. “I was told he had gone to “ Why, he was there yesterday 1 exclaimed Anandamoyi in astonishment.
“ He is there to-day also,” observed Bmoy.
As he spoke the sound of palanquin bearers came from the GORA CUAP.
courtyard below, and Binoy, thinking that it was some female relative of Anandamoyi’s who had arrived, went out.
It was, however, Lolita who had called and now made her pronams to Anandamoyi. Her visit was quite unexpected, and as Anandamoyi looked in astonishment at Lolita’s face she understood that she had come because of the difficulty she was placed in through this affair of Binoy’s initiation and all that it involved.
In order to introduce the question tactfully Anandamoyi began: “lam so pleased that you have called, little mother. Binoy was here only a moment since, and he was speaking of taking initiation into your community to-morrow.”
“ Why is he going to be initiated? ” asked Lolita im¬ patiently. “ Has he any special necessity for doing so? ” “ Is there then no necessity? ” exclaimed Anandamoyi, amazed.
“ None that I can think of! ” answered Lolita.
Not being able to understand Lolita’s meaning, Anandamoyi remained silent, with a questioning look in her direction.
“ Suddenly to take his initiation in this manner will be humiliating 'for him,” continued Lolita with eyes averted. “ For what purpose is he going to accept this humiliation? ” “ For what purpose? Does Lolita, then, not know? Is there nothing in this proposal to give Lolita happiness? ” exclaimed Anandamoyi to herself, saying aloud: “ To-morrow is the day settled, and as he has given his promise it is im¬ possible to draw back now, that is what Binoy said.”
With shining eyes Lolita turned to Anandamoyi, and said: “ On all such matters there is no meaning in keeping one’s promise — if it is necessary to change one's mind then one must do so.”
“ My dear,” said Anandamoyi, “ there’s no need for you to feel shy before me, and I am going to speak quite openly to you. So far as I have been able to understand Binoy, no matter what his religious beliefs may be, I can see no need for him to leave his community, in fact he ought not to do so. He may say what he likes, but I can hardly believe that he does not realise that. But, my dear, you are not ignorant of what hi* thoughts are. He is certainly under the impression that without leaving his society he cannot be united to you. Do not feel shy, little mother, tell me frankly whether this is not true? ” “ Mother,” answered Lolita, lifting her eyes to Anandamoyi s, “ before you I will not be reserved in the least. I assure you LSI GORA that I mvself do not accept all these ideas. I have come to the conclusion, after much thought, that it can never be necessary for a man to cut off all connection with his religion, his beliefs, or bis society, no matter of what nature they may be, in order to be united with other men. If that were necessary then no friendship could exist between a Hindu and a Christian, and we ought to raise high walls round each sect and keep them each within its own fence.”
“ Ah! ” exclaimed Anandamoyi, her face shining with delight, “ I am so happy to hear you speak so. That is just what I say 1 When men differ in their virtues, natures, or beauty there is no obstacle in the way of their unity, so why should there be obstacles when it is a question of opinions or faith? Mother, you have given me new life! I was very anxious about Binoy. I know that he has given his whole heart to you, and if any of you were to receive a hurt he would be unable to bear it. So God knows how it has pained me to put any hindrances in his way. But how fortunate ho is! Is it a small' matter for him to get out of such a dilemma so easily? Let me ask you one question. Has this matter been discussed with Paresh Babu? ” “ No, it hasn’t,” replied Lolita shyly, “ but I am sure he will understand everything all right.”
“ If he were not able to understand, ’ observed Anandamoyi, ‘‘then where did you get such strength of mind and intelligence? Let me call Binoy, for you ought to come to some conclusion about this face to face. And on this occasion let me tell you something. I have known Binoy from his childhood, and I can say with all the energy at my command that he is a boy who will be worthy of any troubles you may undergo for his sake. I have often thought that the one who would get Bmoy for a husband would be fortunate. Once or twice proposals of marriage have been made but I could never be satisfied. To-day I see that his good fortune too is not small,” and with these words Anandamoyi gave Lolita a kiss on her cheek, and then went to call Binoy. She then cleverly left the maidservant in the room with the two of them, and on the pretext of going to prepare some food for Lolita went to pother part of the house.
To-day there was no time for shyness on the part either of Lolita or of Binoy. By the advent of this hard problem, which the lives of both of them had suddenly been called upon to solve, they were able to see their relationship to each other clearly and as something not to be trifled with. No mist of GORA CHAP.
emotions cast a coloured screen between them. They took for granted, silently and humbly, without any discussion and without hesitation, the solemn fact that their two hearts were in harmony and the currents of their two lives were approaching each other like the Ganges and the Jumna to become one at some holy and sacred place. It was not society which called them, nor any particular opinion that united them; the bond between them was not an artificial one, and when they remem¬ bered this fact they felt that their harmony with one another had religion as its basis, a religion which was so deep and sincere that no trivial matter could dispute its claims, and no head of a panchayat could oppose it. Lolita, her faco and eyes shining, commenced: “I could not bear the ignominy of feeling you accepted me by stooping to an act which would lower yourself in your own eyes. What I want is that you should remain where you arc now without wavering.”
“ You also,” assented Binoy, “ will not have to stir from the place which you occupy now. If love is unable to acknow¬ ledge differences, then why are there differences anywhere in this world? ” They went on talking together for nearly twenty minutes, and the gist of what they decided was that they forgot they were Hindu or Brahmo, and only remembered that they were two human souls. This thought was like a steady and unflickcr- ing flame in their hearts.
CHAPTER LXII Paresh Babu was seated on the verandah in front of his room, having finished his evening meditation. He was quite still and the sun was about to set, when Binoy came to him with Lolita and bent down to take the dust of his feet.
Paresh Babu was rather surprised at seeing the two of them coming to see him together in this way, and as there were no chairs near by said: “ Come, let us go inside my room.”
“ No,” replied Binoy, “ don’t get up,” and he sat down on the floor then and there, Lolita also taking a seat at a little distance close to Paresh Babu’s feet.
“We have come,” explained Binoy, “to ask for your blessing on us both. That will be our life’s true initiation.”
When Paresh Babu looked at him with questioning surprise Binoy went on: “I will not take any vows to society which XXII 6 OKA ■bind me by word or rule. Your blessing is the only initiation •ceremony which can unite the lives of us two in truly humble (bonds. In devotion we place our hearts at your feet, and God -will bestow on us what is best for us through your hands.”
“ Then, Binoy, you are not going to become a Brahmo? ” asked Parcsh Babu, after a few moments’ silence.
“ No! ” replied Biuoy.
“ You want to remain in the Hindu community? ” inquired Parcsh Babu.
" Yes! ” answered Biuoy.'
Parcsh Babu looked towards Lolita, and she, guessing what •was in his mind, said: “ Father, that which is my religion is any own and will always remain so. It may causo me incon- 'vcnicncc, and even bring me trouble, but I cannot believe that it can bo in accordance with my religion that I should be .separated from those who differ from me in their beliefs and -customs.”
Seeing that her father remained silent, she went on: “I •used to imagine that the Brahmo Samnj was the only thing dn the world— that everything outside it was mere shadow; that any separation from it was a separation from all that was true. But recently this idea has completely vanished.”
Parcsh Babu smiled rather sadly, and Lolita continued: “ I cannot make you realise what a great change has taken , place in me. I have seen many people in the Brahmo Samaj with whom I do not feel in the least at one and yet with whom any religious opinions are in agreement, and so I can see no .meaning in saying that those who have taken shelter with me dn a community called Brahmo are in a special way my own /people, and all other people in the world must be kept at a ■distance! ” Patting his rebellious daughter gently on the back, Paresh •Babu said: “ When the mind is excited for any personal season is it possible to judge anything truly? Thero is in mankind a continuity between past and future generations for the proper preservation of which society is necessary, and that necessity is not an artificial one. Have you not considered that it is your society upon which rests the burden of the •distant future of all your coming generations? ”