“ There is the Hindu society,” interposed Binoy.
“ And if the Hindu society will not accept responsibility dor you, if it refuses? ” inquired Paresh Babu.
“ We shall have to take up the task of making it accept responsibility, ” answered Binoy, remembering Anandamoyi’s GORA CHAr- . words. “ Hindu society has always given shelter to new sects, and it can be the society of all religious communities.”
“ That which in mere verbal argument appears as one thing,”' objected Parcsh Babu, “ becomes a very different matter when it comes to a question of action. Otherwise would anybody ever voluntarily forsake their old society? If you once begin to honour a society which wants to keep man’s- religious sense bound to one place by the fetters of external custom, then you will have to become for all your days mere- wooden puppets.”
“ If,” answered Binoy, “ Hindu society remains in such a narrow condition then we must undertake the responsibility for rescuing it from that state. No one wants to reduce to- ruins a fine building in order to get more light and air, when it would do just as well to enlarge its doors and windows 1 ” “ Father! ” chimed in Lolita, “ I can’t understand all these arguments. I personally have never determined to- take the responsibility for the uplift of any society. But from all sides I am being pushed by such injustice that I can hardly breathe, and for no reason that I can see ought I to- put up with this without protest. I don’t clearly understand what I ought to do and what I ought not to do, but, father, I can’t stand it.”
“ Wouldn’t it be good to take a little more time? ” askedi Paresh Babu in a gentle tone. “ Now your mind is upset.”
“ I have no objection to taking more time,” answered Lolita, “ but I know one thing for certain, and that is, untruth, and injustice will simply go on increasing, and so I am dread¬ fully afraid lest in desperation I should do something suddenly which would give you also pain. Don’t think, father, that X have given no thought to this matter. I see clearly, after much consideration, that the teachings and impressions I have- Sained may bring me much suffering and shame outside the- rahmo Samaj, but I have no hesitation in my mind, rather I feel a kind of strength and joy. The only thing I am worried) about, father, is lest anything that I may do should cause your S'n,” and saying this Lolita put her hands gently on Paresh bu's feet.
“ Mother,” said Paresh Babu, laughing slightly, “ if I relied only on my own intelligence, then I should have been sorry whenever anything was done contrary to my wishes or opinions.
I can’t say that the shock which has so suddenly come to you.- is altogether bad for you. I too once came out from my home- in revolt, without a moment’s thought ns to whether it would LXII GORA be convenient or not. From these continual blows and counter¬ blows from which society in these days is suffering it is easy to understand that His work of power is being accomplished. How can I know what He is bringing out as a whole from all this purificatory work of breaking? What to Him is the • Brahmo Samaj? what is Hindu society? — He sees only Man/’ and for a moment he stopped speaking to retire into the still.1 solitude of his own heart, closing his eyes in meditation.
“ See here, Binoy,” said Paresh Babu after a few moments’ silence, “ the social system of our country is intimately bound, up with religious opinions— therefore with all our social observ¬ ances religious practices have some connection. Surely you see that there is no possibility of your taking into the circle of your society those who are outside the circle of your religious, opinions.”
Lolita did not clearly follow this reasoning, because she had never seen the differences between their own society and other social systems. Her idea was that on the whole there was no¬ great difference between the practices and customs of one society and those of another. Just as the distinction between themselves and Binoy was practically negligible, so also were the differences between different societies. In fact, she did not know that there was any special obstacle in the way of her being married according to Hindu rites.
“ Are you referring to the fact that in our marriage cere¬ mony we have to worship an idol? ” asked Binoy.
“ Yes," renlied Paresh Babu, with a glance towards Lolita.
“ Will Lolita *be able to assent to that? ” Binoy also looked towards her and saw from her face that her whole soul shrank from the idea.
Lolita had been carried by her feelings to a place which was- altogether unfamiliar to her and full of pitfalls. Seeing this, Binoy ’8 heart was touched with pity, and he felt that he would have to save her by taking to himself all the blows. It was as intolerable to see such indomitable enthusiasm for victory meeting the arrows of death as it was to 6ee such a fine spirit return defeated. He would have not only to make her- victorious but also to save her.
Lolita sat for a little with her head bowed, and then, lifting, her gentle eyes to Binoy, she asked: “ Do you really and truly believe in idols with all your heart? ” ,?No, I don’t!” answered Binoy without a moment’s - hesitation. “ An idol is not to me a god, it is merely a social) symbol.”
GORA CHAP.
“ Have you to acknowledge outwardly as a god what •inwardly you regard only as a symbol? ” inquired Lolita.
“ I will not allow an 'idol at the wedding ceremony,” said iBinoy, looking towards Paresh Babu.
“ Biuoy,” exclaimed Paresh Babu, getting up from his chair, "you have not thought out everything clearly. This is not a matter of your own opinion only nor of any one else’s. 3Iarriage is not merely a personal affair, but is a social matter. Why do you forget that fact? Just think over the matter 'dor a few days quietly, and don’t settle like this all in a hurry.”
Having said this Paresh Babu went out into the garden -and began to walk up and down.
Lolita also was on tho point of leaving the room, but she •turned back and, addressing Binoy, said: " If our wish is mot a wrong one, I cannot understand why we should have to turn back with heads bowed low in shame simply because it does not entirely fall in with the injunctions of some society or other. Do you mean to say that society has a placo for •conduct that is false and no place for what is right? ” Binoy went slowly up to Lolita, and standing in front of her, said: “lam not afraid of any society, and if the two of •us unite and take shelter in truth then where can you get a society greater than that? ” At this moment Bordashundari came in like a storm, and, •standing before them both, exclaimed: “ Binoy, I’ve heard that you will not be initiated after all! Is that so? ” “ I will take my initiation,” answered Binoy, " from some •suitable guru, and not from any society.”
“ What then is the meaning of all this deceit and plotting? ” •cried Bordashundari in a fury. “ Tell me what you mean by .making all this fuss and deceiving me and the members of our •Samaj under the pretext of taking initiation? Haven’t you •considered for a moment what ruin this means for Lolita? ” “ It is not every one in our Samaj who agrees to Binoy •Babu taking his initiation,” interrupted Lolita. “ Haven’t you read the papers? What is the need of taking such an ^initiation? ” " If he is not initiated, how can the marriage take place? ” •asked Bordashundari.
“ Why shouldn’t it? ” inquired Lolita.
“Will you marry according to Hindu rites? ” asked Bordashundari.
“ That can be done,” answered Binoy. “ I will overcome .•any obstacles there may be to it.”
(Lxni GORA Bordashundari was speechless for a moment, and then she fiaid rudely: “ Binoy, go! Go away from this house, and never come back again! ” CHAPTER LXIII Sccharita knew that Gora would certainly come that day, -and from early morning she had beou feeling agitated. With the joy she felt at the prospect of the visit there was mixed florae fear, because the conflict which was taking place, at •every step, between the habits and customs which had their roots in her very childhood, and the new life towards which •Gora was drawing her, made her restless.
For instance on the previous day, when Gora had made his obeisance to the idol in her aunt’s room, she had felt a3 if she had received a stab. She was unable to console herself ■by saying: " What docs it matter if Gora does worship idols? What matter if that is his faith? ” Whenever she saw anything in Gora’s conduct which came into conflict with the religious faith which was rooted in her own life she trembled with terror. Was God then going to give her no peace?
Harimohini to-day again took Gora into the room where •her idol was, to show a good example to Sucharita so proud of her modern ideas, and to-day too Gora made an obeisance.
As soon as Sucharita had taken Gora downstairs again to (the sitting-room she asked him: “ Do you have faith in that idol? ” “ Yes, of course I have! ” answered Gora with a rather un- matural violence, while Sucharita, on hearing this reply, did not answer, but remained with head bent low.
Gora received a shock on seeing her humble and silent pain, And said hurriedly: “ Look here, X will tell you the truth. Whether I have faith in idols or not I can’t exactly say, but i respect the faith of my country. The worship which the whole country has evolved after so many centuries is some¬ thing which I regard as worthy of devotion. I can never •regard it, as the Christian missionaries do, with bitter looks.”
Sucharita looked thoughtfully in Gora’s face as he went on: “I know that it is very difficult for you to understand what I mean fully, because having been so long a member of GORA CHAP.
a sect you have lost the power of seeing all these things clearly. When you see that idol in your aunt’s room you see ouly a stone, but I see the tender heart of your aunt filled with- devotion. Seeing that, how can I get angry or feel contempt? Do you imagine that divinity of the heart is a mere divinity of stone? ” “ Is devotion in itself sufficient? ” asked Sucharita. “ Have you not to consider the object of the devotion? ” “ In other words,” exclaimed Gora, feeling rather excited, “ you think that to worship a limited object as a god is an error. But have limits to be ascertained from the point of view of time and space? Remember this, that when you call to mind some text of Scripture you feel a great devotion in your heart, but, because that text is written on a page, arc you goiog to decide its greatness by measuring the width of the page and counting the number of letters of which tho text is composed? The unlimited character of the idea is a far greater thing than that of its extent in space! That small idol is to your aunt more truly unlimited than the endless sky decked with the sun, moon, and stars. You call that the unlimited which is unlimited in dimensions, so you have to close your eyes to picture it. I don’t know whether this does- you any good or not, but the heart’s infinite can be seen even in such a small object as an idol with your eyes open. If it could not, then how could your aunt have held so fast to it when all her happiness in life had been destroyed? Could such a great void in her heart have been filled by a tiny stono like that if it had been mere play? The emptiness of the human heart could never bo filled except by an unlimited feeling.”
It was impossible for Sucharita to answor all these subtle arguments, and yet she felt quite unable to accept them as true. She merely suffered in silence without finding any remedy.
At the time of an argument Gora never felt the least pity for his opponents, he rather felt a malignant cruelty against them like that of a beast of prey. But to-day, on seeing her * apparently accept defeat without a word, he felt distressed, and speaking more gently he went on: “I don’t wish to say anything against your religious convictions. I ouly want to> say that what you call abusively an idol is something that- you cannot comprehend merely by seeing it with your eyes. Those who regard it with a tranquil mind, whose hearts find satisfaction in it, and whose natures find a refuge in it, they Lxm GORA ^re the ones who know whether this idol is mortal or immortal, limited or limitless. I assure you that no worshipper in our country ever offers his devotion to what is limited — the joy of their worship is to lose the limits within the limited,” “ But every one is not a devotee,” observed Sucharita.
“ What does it matter to any one what those who are not! true devotees worship? ” exclaimed Gora. “ What do those in the Brahmo Samaj who are not true worshippers do? All their devotions are lost in fathomless emptiness. No, worse than that, more terrible than emptiness— their god is party Ct, their pride their priest! Have you never seen this ithirsty divinity being worshipped in your Samaj? ” “ Wrhat you are saying about religion,” inquired Sucharita, ■without answering Gora’s question, “ are you saying it from your own experience? " “ In other words,” laughed Gora, “ you want to know whether or not I have ever wanted God? No, I’m afraid my inclinations are not in that direction.”
This was not said with the object of pleasing Sucharita, and yet she could not help heaving a sigh of relief. It wa3 in some ways a comfort to her to know that on this subject Gora had not the right to speak with authority.
“ I cannot claim to teach any one about religion,” con¬ tinued Gora, “ but I can never bear to see you laugh at the devotion of the people of my country. You are regarding the people of your country as fools and idolaters, but I want 1x> call them all and say: ‘ No, you are not fools, you are not idolaters; you are wise, you are true worshippers.’ By show¬ ing my reverence I want to awaken the soul of my country to the realisation that there is greatness in our religious principles and depth in our devotions. I want to arouse in them a pride in the wealth that they possess. I will not allow them tc bo humbled, nor will I permit them to become blind to the truth that is in them, or show contempt for them¬ selves. This is my determination. And it is for this that I have come to you to-day. Ever since- 1 first met you a new thought has been surging through my mind, a thought to which all these days I had been oblivious. I keep thinking that India can never be fully revealed only by looking at her men. Her manifestation will only be complete when she has revealed herself to our women. I have had an almost burning desire that I shall be able to see my country, standing by your side and looking at her with one united vision. For my India, as a man, I can only work and if necessary die, but who, l GOKA CHAP.
except you, can light the lamp of welcome to her? If you- stand aloof the service of India can never be beautiful.”
Alas! Where was India? At what far distance was Sucharita? From where has this devotee of India come, this- self-forgetful ascetic? Why had he pushed every one aside to take his place at her side? Why had he left all and summoned her? Without any hesitation, and admitting no- obstacles, he had said: “ Without you, all will be in vam — it is to take you that I have come; if you remain in banishment the sacrifice will not be complete! ” Sucharita’s eyes filled with inexplicable tears, and as Gora looked at her face it seemed to him like a flower bedecked with careless dewdrops.
Although there were tears in her eyes she returned his gazo steadily and in entire self-forgetfulness, and before the fearless and unflinching look which she turned upon him, Gora's whole nature trembled as a marble palace trembles in an earthquake. Making a great effort at control, Gora pulled himself together and gazed out of the window. It was already evening, and above the narrow vista of the lane, where it joined the main road, the stars showed bright against a strip of open sky which* was dark like a black stone. That 9trip of sky, and those few stars, how far did they carry Gora to-day from the accustomed world of his everyday life, and from the well-known round of his daily work I They had watched for ages the rise and fall of countless dynasties, the prayers and efforts of unnumbered centuries; — and yet, at the call of one human heart to another from the fathomless depths of life, those stars and that sky seemed to vibrate with some speechless hankering from the verge of the world I At this moment the stream of passers-by and all the noisy traffic of the busy Calcutta streets seemed to Gora unsubstantial as shadow pictures — none of the bustling sounds of the city reached his ears — he was looking into his own heart — there too all was still, and dark, and silent, like the sky, and there, gazing from the eternal past to a never-ending future, were two tender eyes, filled with tears but steady and unflinching.
On suddenly hearing Harimohini’s voice calling him to come and take some sweetmeats, Gora turned round, startled.
“ No, not to-day,” he said hurriedly. “ You must excuse me to-day, for I must be going at once,” and without waiting for another word Gora went out with rapid steps. Harimohint looked at Sucharita in astonishment, but she also left her, leaving Harimohini shaking her head and exclaiming to herself, “ What’s the matter now i,h lxiu GORA Not long after this Paresh Babu called, and not finding' Sucharita in her room he went to Harimohini and asked her where she was.
“ How do I know? ” asked Harimohini in a vexed tone.. “ She was talking with Gourmohan Babu in the sitting-room.
Juite a long time: now I think she is walking up and down on je roof.”
“ On the roof on such a cold night!” exclaimed Paresh ■ Babu in surprise.
“ Let her enjoy the cold a little! ” said Harimohini'* impatiently. “ The girls of these days are not harmed by the- As Harimohini was in a bad temper to-day she had not- called Sucharita to her meal, and Sucharita also was not conscious of the passage of time.
On seeing Paresh Babu himself come out on to the roof *' Sucharita was greatly distressed, and exclaimed: “ Come in, father, come downstairs. You will catch cold.”
Sucharita got quite a shock when, on entering the lamp-litr room, she saw how harassed Paresh Babu looked. He had' been all these days the father and guru of the fatherless child, and now to-day she was being drawn away from him, severing.' all the bonds which had united them since her childhood; Sucharita felt as if she could never forgive herself. Paresh- Babu sat down wearily in a chair, and in order to hide tho- tears which she found it difficult to control, Sucharita stood i behind him, passing her fingers lightly through his grey hair.
“ Binoy is not willing to be initiated after all,” remarked) Paresh Babu, and as Sucharita made no answer, he went on: “ I always had my doubts about this proposal for Binoy' s- initiation, so I am not seriously disturbed at the turn things - have. taken — but from what Lohta says I can see that she does • not feel there is any obstacle in the way of her marrying Binoy - even if he is not initiated.”
“ No! ” exclaimed Sucharita almost violently. “ No, father,. that must never be! Never, whatever happens! ” Sucharita did not usually display such unnecessary eager¬ ness when she spoke, so Paresh Babu was rather astonished: at the sudden outburst of impatience which was noticeable in her tone. “ What must never be? ” he asked.
“ Unless Binoy becomes a Brahmo, according to what rites- will the marriage be celebrated? ” inquired Sucharita.
“ According to Hindu rites,” answered Paresh Babu.
“ No, no, no! ” exclaimed Sucharita, shaking her headi GORA chap.
violently. “ How can you suggest such a thing! You ought not even to imagine such an idea. Lolita to be married, after everything, with idol worship at the ceremony! I can never • consent to it! ” Was it because Gora had been attracting Sucharita’s mind • that to-day she displayed such unnatural impatience at the . idea of marriage in accordance with Hindu rites? The real • inner significance of this outburst was that she wanted to hold • on firmly to Paresh Babu, and say to him: “ I will never leave you. T am still a member of your Samaj, and still hold your ■ opinions; nothing will induce mo to break away from your • teaching.”
“ Binoy has expressed his willingness to dispense with the • idol at the wedding ceremony,” explained Paresh Babu, and when Sucharita came from behind his chair and sat down in • front of him, he went on: “ What do you say to that? ” “ Then Lolita will have to go out of our community,” • observed Sucharita after a moment’s silence.
“ I have had to give much thought to this matter,” said Paresh Babu. “ When any conflict occurs between an individual -and society, there are two things to be considered — first on whose side is the right, and secondly which side is the stronger. There is not the least doubt that of the two society is the . stronger, so that the rebel against it will have to suffer. Lolita has again and again told me that she is not only ready to • accept that suffering, but she regards it as a matter for rejoicing. If this is a fact, then, if I see nothing wrong in hor action, how • can I put obstacles in her way? ” “ But, father, how can it take place? ” asked Sucharita.
“ I know,” said Paresh Babu, “ that it will land us all in • a great difficulty, but when there is nothing wrong in Lolita marrying Binoy, when in fact she ought to do so, then I cannot think that it is my duty to respect an obstaclo which society puts in tho way. It can never be right that man should remain narrow and confined out of regard for society — rather society ought to become more liberal out of regard for the individual. Therefore I can never find fault with those who are ready to face the suffering their actions involve.”
“ Father,” exclaimed Sucharita, “ it is you who will have • to suffer most in this matter.”
“ There is no need to worry about that,” observed Paresh .Babu.
“ Father, have you given your consent? ” asked Sucharita.
“ No,” replied Paresh Babu, " not yet. But I shall have fcxrv GORA to give it. In the path which Lolita is following who is there besides me who can give her his blessing, and who but God can be her helper? ” When Paresh Babu had gone Sucharita remained motion¬ less. She knew how deeply he loved Lolita, and she had no difficulty in realising how anxious he must be feeling at letting that favourite daughter of his leave the accustomed path to enter on such a vast unknown. Yet, in spite of that, here he was at his age helping in this revolt, and showing so little sign of alarm! He never displayed his own strength in the least, and yet what great strength lav hidden, without any apparent clfort, in the depth of his soul 1 If it had been at any other time this insight into Paresh Balm’s nature would not have struck her as strange, for she had known him from childhood, but to-day, as she had only just before been experiencing in her very soul the strokes of Gora, she could not avoid feeling the complete difference between these two types of ]>coplc. How violent to Gora was his own will! And how ruthlessly he would push aside others and overwhelm them when he once applied that will with full force! Any one who wanted to agree with Gora on any subject had to humble himself completely to Gora’s will. To-day Sucharita had humbled herself and had even rejoiced in her humiliation, because she felt that by sacrificing herself she had gained greatly. Yet now, when her father went out of her lamp-lit room into the darkness, with head bowed in thought, she could not help comparing him with Gora in the pride of his youthful enthusiasm, and she felt that she wanted to dedicate her heart like an offering of flowers at his feet. For a long time she sat with her hands in her lap, still and silent like an image in a picture.
CHAPTER LXIY CHAPTER LXIY From early morning Gora’s room was the scene of agitating discussions. First of all Mohim had come, puffing at his hookah, and had asked Gora: “ Then, after all these days, Binoy has cut adrift from his chains, has he? ” Gora did not catch his meaning and looked inquiringly at him till he explained: “ What’s the use of keeping up this deception, tell me? Your friend’s affairs are no longer a secret — they are being trumpeted abroad. Just read that! ’* and he handed to Gora a Bengali newspaper.
GORA CHAP.
In it there appeared a very pungent article on the item of news which told of Binoy’s intended initiation in the Brahmo Samai that day. The writer used some very harsh language about the conduct of certain well-known members of the Brahmo Samai, who were burdened with the responsibility of daughters, and who, while Gora was in gaol, had secretly- tempted this weak-minded young man to leave his own ancient Hindu society for the sake of marriage into a Brahmo family.
When Gora observed: “I had not heard this news, Mohim at first did not believe him and then began to express his astonishment at the depth of deceit displayed in.Binoy s conduct. He exclaimed: " When, after having given his definite promise that he would marry Soshimukhi, he began to waver and shilly-shally, wc ought to have realised that it was the beginning of his downfall.”
Next came Abinash panting with excitement, and 1 cxclaim- ;nc ■ “ Gourmohan Babu, what an affair this is! IIow cou d one 'have even dreamed it possible? That Binoy Baba should aftBnt Abinash was not able to complete his sentence. He felt such an intense pleasure in abusing Bmoy that ho was incapable of even pretending to be anxious on his account. ( In less than no time all the important members of Gora a party came in turn, and when they were all gathered a heated discussion soon started on the subject of Binoy s conduct. The majority of them had only one comment to make and it was that this present affair was no matter for surprise, because thev had all of them again and again noticed signs of weakness and' hesitation in Binoy’s character; in fact, they declared that Binoy had never surrendered himself wholeheartedly to their party. Many of them said that they had always felt how intolerable was the way in which he had tried, somehow or other, from the very beginning to put himself on an equality with Gourmohan. Where every one else had kept himself at a proper distance out of respect, Binoy had forced lumself on Gora and made out that he was on terms of such intimacy that he appeared to be aloof from the rest of them, and equal m importance to Gora himself. Because Gora was fond of him they had all of them done their best to tolerate this extra¬ ordinary arrogance, and this was the deplorable sequel to that kind of unchecked vanity!,,, They said: “ Wc may not be so well educated as Jtinoy Babu and we have not such great intelligence, but at least we have all along followed one principle, we don’t say one thing LXIV GORA and think another. For us it is impossible to do one thing to-day and quite the opposite to-morrow — you may call it foolishness on our part, or stupidity, or anything else you like! ” To all this Gore made no answer, but sat quite still without entering into the discussion at all.
When it was getting late and all his visitors had gone one by one, Gora saw that Binoy was going upstairs without coming into his room, so going out quickly he called, “ Binoy 1 ” and when Binoy turned back and entered the room, he said: “ Binoy, I don’t know whether or not I have done you any wrong, but it seems to me as if you were going to forsake me.”