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I sensed Sri Yukteswar's divine unity, and was determined, as his disciple, to press my advantage. "You are of exacting disposition!" Then Master's consent rang out with compassionate finality: "Let your wish be my wish." Lifelong shadow lifted from my heart; the vague search, hither and yon, was over. I had found eternal shelter in a true guru. "Come; I will show you the hermitage."
He praised the progressive, resourceful and hygienic habits of the West, and the religious ideals which give a centuried halo to the East. Discipline had not been unknown to me: at home Father was strict, Ananta often severe. But Sri Yukteswar's training cannot be described as other than drastic.
They scattered like birds before the hunter. "Mukunda!" Sri Yukteswar's voice sounded from a distant inner balcony. I felt as rebellious as my thoughts. "Master always urges me to meditate," I muttered to myself. "He should not disturb me when he knows why I came to his room." He summoned me again; I remained obstinately silent. The third time his tone held rebuke.
"Guruji, I would like to hear some stories of your childhood." "I will tell you a few-each one with a moral!" Sri Yukteswar's eyes twinkled with his warning. "My mother once tried to frighten me with an appalling story of a ghost in a dark chamber. I went there immediately, and expressed my disappointment at having missed the ghost. Mother never told me another horror-tale.
Master rose from his tiger mat. I glanced about me; my gaze fell with astonishment on a wall picture, garlanded with a spray of jasmine. "Lahiri Mahasaya!" "Yes, my divine guru." Sri Yukteswar's tone was reverently vibrant. "Greater he was, as man and yogi, than any other teacher whose life came within the range of my investigations." Silently I bowed before the familiar picture.
"We made a mistake about train schedules, but felt we could not return home without a glimpse of our guru." "He has been expecting you and is even now preparing your food." Sri Yukteswar's welcoming voice rang out; I led the astonished visitors to the kitchen. Master turned to me with twinkling eyes.
Sri Yukteswar's mother lived in the Rana Mahal district of Benares where I had first visited my guru. Gracious and kindly, she was yet a woman of very decided opinions. I stood on her balcony one day and watched mother and son talking together. In his quiet, sensible way, Master was trying to convince her about something. He was apparently unsuccessful, for she shook her head with great vigor.
The only cause of Sri Yukteswar's displeasure at the time was that I had been trying, against his gentle hint, to convert a certain man to the spiritual path. With indignant speed I sought out my guru. He received me with downcast eyes, as though conscious of guilt. It was the only time I ever saw the divine lion meek before me. The unique moment was savored to the full.
"Adorable Master, please tell me more about the astral cosmos." Though I had slightly relaxed my embrace at Sri Yukteswar's request, my arms were still around him. Treasure beyond all treasures, my guru who had laughed at death to reach me! "There are many astral planets, teeming with astral beings," Master began.
He threw himself at Sri Yukteswar's feet, placing there three beautiful sapphires. "Omniscient guru, the doctors say I have galloping tuberculosis! They give me no longer than three more months! I humbly implore your aid; I know you can heal me!" "Isn't it a bit late now to be worrying over your life? Depart with your jewels; their time of usefulness is past."
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