Prologue

There was this extensive forest of tropical trees, predominantly Sal. The treetops and leaves enmeshed to form an impregnable canopy which even the rays of the sun failed to fully penetrate. This ocean of foliage extended for miles into the distant horizon, the green canopy swaying like mighty ocean waves in the breeze. The ground below was dark. Even the midday sun managed to spread only an eerie, shadowy ambiance in which humans seldom dared to tread. Apart from the continuous rustling of the leaves and the occasional noises emanating from the forest animals and the birds, there was complete silence. But now it was the dead of the night. The middays shadowy forest floor was now totally dark. It was as if the entire universe was wrapped up in absolute darkness. Even the billions of animals, birds, insects and organisms that inhabited the forest were all silent. One could almost feel the deafening silence in a way never possible in the normal noise-filled world! In that unending forest, in that infinite darkness of the night, the unprecedented cover of silence was suddenly breached by a human voice: Will not my wishes come true? It said. The words sank into the depths of silence almost instantaneously as the silence rushed back to restore the breach. A human voicein this forest... in the middle of the night? It would have appeared totally illusionary had it not been for the fact that it once again disturbed the silence and asked Will not my wishes come true? Upon repeating the question for the third time, a second voice was heard: What are you willing to sacrifice? My entire life replied the first voice. But life is insignificant, anyone can sacrifice life. Then what else can I offer? Devotion, came the reply.

PART 1
Chapter 1 The heat in the village of Padachinna was extremely intense that day in the summer of 1769. The village was crowded - with rows of shops in the bazaar, rows of thatched stalls at the weekly market, hundreds of mud houses in the lanes and by lanes, interspersed with big and small mansions. But the crowded village was somehow not crowded with people! Not a soul was in sight. Life had come to a standstill. The shopkeepers had downed their shutters, nowhere to be seen. It was the day of the weekly market, but not a trader was in sight. Normally on a weekly market day the beggars had a field day, but not a beggar was visible. The weaver had abandoned his loom and

lay cringing in one corner of his house. The trader sat in his mansion with a child languishing on his lap. The charitable had forsaken charity, the teacher had forsaken teaching and even the children had apparently forsaken crying out of fright! The roads and house-fronts were devoid of people, the village lake devoid of bathers, even the treetops were devoid of chirping birds. The only animals that were active were the scavenging dogs and foxes at the village cemetery. A large white-washed mansion, with expansive pillared balconies, stood out like an ice capped mountain peak. Like all other houses, this one was also barred and bolted, apparently deserted. Silence and darkness reigned supreme inside the shuttered mansion. However, in one of the interior rooms sat a man and his wife, wondering what to do. The harvests in the year 1767 had been poor. This resulted in hardships for the people the next year, more so because there was no respite in tax collections by the state. The effect of poor harvests and over jealous tax collections was that most villagers were reduced to having just one meal a day. The 1768 monsoons began promisingly, leading people to believe that the gods were once again showering their blessings on them. The fields rang out with the songs of the cow-gazers. The farmers wives had already begun pestering their husbands for silverware in anticipation of good times ahead. However the optimism dried up abruptly as the rains in the later part of the monsoon season once again failed. It was as if the gods were angered by the untimely revelry of the village folk! The rains dried up completely, the standing crops withered in the fields. Whatever little escaped the vagaries of nature and the wrath of the gods, was snared up by the government to feed its troops. The villagers were back to square one. They went back to scraping one meal a day. Very soon they were reduced to one meal every alternate day. Whatever little was harvested that winter was inadequate in the face of this massive food scarcity. To make matters worse, the collector of state revenues, Mohammed Reza Khan thought it was the right time to increase taxes by 10 percent. Bengal was reduced to misery, desperation and destitution. Poor village folk resorted to begging, as long as there were people who could give alms. Then when alms and dole-outs dried up, they resorted to fasting. This led to weakness and disease. They sold off their cattle and oxen and then their plows. They were forced to eat the seedlings saved for the next planting season. They sold off their belongings, clothes and even houses and property. Desperation forced them to sell off their children, their wives finally there hardly remained anyone who could buy what was up for sale! Lack of food forced people to eat whatever they could lay their hands on leaves of trees, grass, weeds. The poorest of the poor started eating dogs, cats, rats. Some started fleeing their villages, but died on the way or out of hunger in unknown places. Those that stayed-put continued their existence,

oscillating between life and death, surviving on inhuman food and languishing in disease and finally dying. Before long, epidemics broke out, especially small pox. House after house was ravished by the scourge. No one dared to reach out, to give water to the diseased and provide a healing touch. There was no one to treat the ailing, no one even to cremate the dead. Bodies lay rotting in the huts as well as in the mansions. Mahendra Singha, the man we saw earlier sitting in the huge mansion with his wife, was one of the richer men of Padachinna village. But given the dire conditions that prevailed, there was very little difference between rich and poor. All suffered equally. His huge mansion was virtually empty. All his relatives, servants and maids had either died or run away in search of survival elsewhere. Only his wife, Kalyani and their baby daughter were with him. Kalyani jolted out of her stupor and went out to the cowshed to milk the cows. She boiled the milk, fed her daughter milk and the cows fodder and then returned to her husband. How long can we sustain? asked Mahendra. Not much longer, though I will manage for as long as I can. Then you leave for the city with the girl replied Kalyani. Mahendra: If going to the city is what you suggest, then why do we need to wait? Why dont we all leave right away? The debate continued for some time. Finally Kalyani concluded: We may be able to survive in cities like Murshidabad, Kashimbazar or Kolkata. The most important thing is that we must leave this place. Mahendra: But what about this mansion. All that was built over generations will fall into the hands of thugs and looters. All the more reason why we should leave right away observed Kalyani, how will the two of us ward off the looters when they do come? Lets leave right away and save our lives. What good are the riches if we do not survive? Mahendra: Will you be able to walk? We do not have the luxury of our bullock carts any more. Kalyani: Yes, dont worry, I will walk. Even if I die on the way, at least my husband and daughter will survive, she thought. The next morning the two of them got ready for the journey. They carefully locked and barred their mansion and let loose the cows. They took some money with them and started in the direction of the Calcutta. On second thoughts, Mahendra also carried a gun and enough ammunition to tackle the thugs that frequented the highways. Observing this, Kalyani, clutching her daughter Sukumari exclaimed: Oh! That reminds me of the weapon that I need to carry! Saying this she once again entered the mansion and came back clutching something. And what weapon is that asked Mahendra in surprise. Kalyani held up a small vial of poison. She had already prepared herself for the worst!

It was the peak of summer. The merciless sun had scorched the earth. The hot air blazed. The sky was like a copper sheet. The earth below their feet felt like a bed of smoldering coal. Kalyani was feeling the effect of the heat. Resting from time to time in the inadequate shade of withered trees and drinking muddy water from almost-dried-up streams; she managed to drag herself with great difficulty. Mahendra carried the girl, fanning her from time to time to give her some respite from the heat. Finally, finding a patch of greenery, they all decided to rest a while. Mahendra was amazed at the resilience of Kalyani. He dipped his shirt at a nearby pool of water and squeezed the cool water over all of them. This refreshed Kalyani, but she realized that hunger and thirst had overpowered all of them and they needed to reach somewhere where food was available. They continued their walk through the blistering heat of the afternoon and just before dusk were able to reach a roadside inn. Mahendra felt elated. Finally he would be able to give much needed rest, food and something cool to drink to his family. On reaching the inn however, he realized that it was absolutely deserted, not a soul was in sight! The rooms were all empty. After hesitating for a while, Mahendra selected a room and asked Kalyani and the girl to relax. He went out and yelled to see if anyone was around. When no one answered, he told Kalyani to muster the courage to stay alone, while he went out in search of milk specially to feed the little girl weakened from thirst and hunger. Chapter 2 Mahendra walked away into the sunset in search of milk. Kalyani, alone with the small girl in the semi-darkness felt ill at ease as she paced the large, empty room. Silence prevailed, occasionally punctured by the wails of faraway dogs and foxes. She began to feel she had made a bad mistake in allowing Mahendra to go. Instinctively, she reached out to shut the windows and lock up all the doors. But the doors and windows were only gaping holes. None had any shutters, let alone latches or locks! Even before this realization had fully sunk in, she sensed a shadowy apparition appear in the front doorway. It was the shape of a man in the darkness, but she was not sure if it was actually a human being! Extremely thin and dark, almost naked something very scary. Kalyani frozeher heart in her mouth. The creature raised a skin-and-bone hand and silently signaled something to someone. Soon another apparition appeared silently alongside the first. Then a third. Very soon a stream of apparitions assembled in front of the gaping doorway and started entering the room towards Kalyani. The eerie, shadowy atmosphere felt like the midnight cemetery to Kalyani. The apparitions surrounded Kalyani and her daughter and carried them away, across the road, across the fields into a dense patch of forest some distance away. Meanwhile, Mahendra returned with the milk. He entered the inn to see that there was no one in the room where he had left Kalyani and the girl. All was dark now, and very quiet. Soon, the shrill voice of Mahendra echoed along

the empty, dark highwayfirst, calling out the name of his daughterand finally the name of his wife. Chapter 3 The forest into which the apparition-like thugs carried Kalyani and the kid was beautiful. Only, in that darkness and the terrible situation, there was no one to appreciate that beauty. Although the famine had ravaged the crops and devastated the lives of the people, the forests still had their share of soothing greenery, beautiful flowers and fruits that radiated a pleasant aroma even in that dark evening. Into this setting the thugs deposited Kalyani and her daughter and then sat in a circle around them. A debate arose as to what they should do with these two creatures. Kalyani had already been dispossessed of whatever jewelry she was wearing. Some amongst the thugs were discussing ways and means of sharing out the loot. Once the sharing was settled, one of them asked: What are we going to do with gold and silver now? I am willing to barter my share of the riches for a handful of rice. The whole day I have eaten nothing but few wild leaves I am dying of hunger. This sparked off a mini revolt with the clamor of Give us rice, give us rice, we are dying of hunger. What good are pieces of gold and silver? Their leader tried to quell the mutiny, but no one seemed to be in the mood for reason. Gradually the chaos increased and finally gave way to slander contests and fist fights. The excited thugs began to hit the leader with the pieces of jewelry. This incited the leader, lost his cool and started hitting back. The rank and file retaliated with vengeance. The leader, who was already weak and emaciated by hunger, could not withstand the onslaught and fell down and soon lay dead. Seeing this, one amongst the starved, exhausted, excited, hallucinating thugs exclaimed: We have been forced to eat dogs, foxes and god-knows-what to keep hunger at bay. Let us go one step further and eat the meat of this rascal today! The excitable crowd shouted out Hail Mother Kali! Let us be cannibals today! Letting go of all inhibitions, the apparition-like group of thugs began to laugh, clap and dance. Some amongst the group began preparations to roast their dead leader by lighting up a fire and adding dry leaves, twigs and branches to get the flames to the desired levels. Soon the flames leapt high enough to reveal the shapes of the trees surrounding the clearing. The fire was by now quite strong and one of the thugs began dragging their dead leader by the legs into the flames. Seeing this, someone shouted out: Hang on, wait! If human flesh is what is going to fill our stomachs today, then why do we chew on the withered skin and bones of this old hag? Why not sink our teeth into some juicy young flesh? Still others were impatient: We dont care whose flesh it is. Get us anythingfast. By now they shifted their gaze to the spot where they had dumped Kalyani and her daughter. It was vacantneither mother, nor daughter was to be seen! Taking advantage of the chaos, Kalyani had meanwhile scampered into the dense forest, clutching the girl in here

bosom. The apparitions, growling like wild beasts spread out into the forest to retrieve their prey. Chapter 4 The depth of the forest into which Kalyani had escaped was dark. She did not know where she was stumbling along. With great difficulty, Kalyani managed to penetrate deeper and deeper into the woods. The little girl, stung and scratched by the thorns from the bushed and creepers, could not help crying out in pain. The thugs, hearing these cries smelt blood and chased excitedly. Terrified, Kalyani kept stumbling ahead as fast as she could. Soon the moon appeared in the sky, removing the blanket of darkness and drenching the forest with its silvery light. Kalyani despaired, her hopes of escape dimmed in this sudden burst of light that began to expose the secrets of the forest. But the moon continued its ascent across the sky, oblivious of the dangers to which it was exposing Kalyani. The girl kept on howling with fear. Kalyani sensed the thugs closing in on her. The end was near she felt. She gave up trying to escape. She sat on a thorn-free patch of soft grass under a huge tree, clasped her daughter on her lap and began praying: Where art Thou, O Lord? Thee, whom I pray to every day, Thee, before whom I bow every day, Thee, who gave me the strength to venture into this forest, where art Thou? In that moment of utter fear and helplessness, in that moment of extreme surrender to the Lord, in that moment of unbearable hunger and thirst she gradually entered into a stupor and heard a heavenly voice somewhere, singing in praise of the Lord Krishna. She sensed, as if in a trance, that a great Sanyasin had descended from the heavens and was moving across the land, singing the praise of the Lord Krishna, just as she had been made to believe, since her childhood days. Gradually, she came back to her senses and opened her eyes. In the shadowy moonlight she actually saw that heavenly image, that great Sanyasin, standing right in front of her! Kalyani wanted to bow her head at the feet of the Sanyasin, but in trying to do so, she lost her consciousness completely and lay still on the grass. Chapter 5 In that forest on a large tract of land amidst the ruins of ancient stone structures stood a Math (Hindu monastery). Archeologists would probably point out that originally it was a Buddhist Vihara (monastery), which was later converted to a Hindu Math. The buildings were double storied, housing a variety of temples with a huge Nat mandir at the forefront. The entire complex was enclosed within high walls and huge trees in a way that it was difficult to spot the Math even from relative proximity. The buildings were damaged and broken in a number of places, but upon close scrutiny one would observe that repair work had been carried out in the recent past. It could easily be concluded that this Math, in the depth of the impregnable forest, was inhabited by human beings.

In a room within this Math, Kalyani gradually regained consciousness and saw the heavenly sanyasina sanyasin, she now realized, sitting in front of her. She continued to stare at him in bewilderment. The Sanyasin looked at her and said: Mother, this is an abode for the Gods, do not feel scared or hesitant here. Drink some milk and then we will talk. Kalyani was dumbfounded, but gradually regained composure. She bent forward, bowed and touched the feet of the great man. He blessed her and fetched an earthen milk pot and heated the contents over the fire. He carried the hot milk over to Kalyani and said: Mother, have some of the milk, give some to your daughter and then we will talk. Kalyani was glad to feed the little girl. Dont worry about anything, stay here until I come back, said the Sanyasin and went out of the room. Upon returning after some time, he observed that Kalyani had meanwhile fed her daughter a little, but had not touched any of the milk herself. Mother, I am going out again he said, unless you drink the milk, I will not re-enter. The Sanyasin was about to exit the room once again when Kalyani faced him with folded hands: Do not order me to drink the milk, I will not be able to do so, she said. Tell me what your problem is. You are like a daughter to me. Wont you tell me? he probed. When I picked you up unconscious in the forest, you appeared extremely hungry and thirsty. Unless you eat, how will you survive? Kalyani then replied, her voice tearful: You are like a God to me, I will tell youmy husband is also hungry. Unless I see him or unless I know that he has had something to eat, I will not be able to touch the food. The Sanyasin asked: Where is your husband? I dont know replied Kalyani and proceeded to tell him the entire story. So you are the wife of Mahendra concluded the Sanyasin finally. Drink the milk and I promise I will get you news about him he said. Is there some drinking water here asked Kalyani. The Sanyasin fetched the water pot and poured out some water into the cupped hands of Kalyani. She asked him to bless the water, which he did. She then drank the water with full devotion and said: What I just drank was like food from the heavens, so please do not ask me to drink any milk. The Sanyasin finally relented and told her: You stay here in the abode of the Gods without any fear. I will go out in search of your husband. Chapter 6 It was pretty late in the night and the moon was overhead. The not-yet-full moon had cast an insufficient, shadowy light over a vast field on the outskirts of the forest. It was impossible to make out the contours of this vastness. Though not quite visible, the highway going to Murshidabad and Kolkata traversed this huge field. On one side of this road was a smallish hill. The leaves on trees on top of this hillock reflected the shimmering moonlight. The Sanyasin made his was to the top of this hill and stood silently, listening intently. It was difficult to say what he hoped to hear in that vast silence,

apart from the rustling of the trees. His concentrated listening however seemed to pay off and he moved in the direction of a particularly dense patch and saw rows upon rows of human forms seated silently in the darkness. A closer look revealed that these were all young men, some two hundred in number, armed to the teeth. The Sanyasin went in their midst but said nothing. Instead, he began to move slowly amongst the rows, standing in front of each man for a brief moment and then moving on to the next. He was looking for someone specific. Finally, he stood in front of a face and briefly touched his shoulder. The man rose silently and followed the Sanyasin some distance away. The newly identified man was a well built, strapping young man, sporting a luxurious growth of moustache. Overall, he looked awesome. He too was clothed in the saffron robes of a sanyasin one who has forsaken the worldly life to devote himself selflessly in the service of the Lord Krishna. Fragrant sandalwood paste adorned his forehead and arms. The Sanyasin, let us introduce his name nowSatyananda, finally asked him in a subdued tone: Bhabananda, do you have any news about Mahendra Singha? Bhabananda began his reply Mahendra deserted his house this morning with his wife and daughter. On the way at the inn...... Yes, I know all that and also what happened at the inn, Satyananda interrupted, but who were these people? Basically village farmers who have taken to looting out of sheer desperation. Come to think of it, who is not a thug these days? Even we have resorted to looting rice going to the government treasury, to make offerings to the Lord and fill the stomachs of His followers, replied Bhabananda. Satyananda smiled and ignored Bhabanandas wry sarcasm. He said, I have rescued Mahindras wife and daughter from the farmer-thugs and rehabilitated them at the Math. Now I entrust you with the task of finding Mahendra and reuniting him with his family. In your absence, Jibananda can take charge of operations here. Satyananda moved on and Bhabananda prepared to carry out his instructions. Chapter 7 After having searched for his wife and daughter and cried himself hoarse, shouting out their names all over the area, Mahendra was at his wits end. He sat exhausted and wondered what he could possibly do next. Finally, deciding to proceed to the city to seek help, he started along the highway, forlorn, in the darkness of the night. Soon he came across a convoy of bullock carts, escorted by a posse of soldiers and guards. The British were not yet the official rulers of Bengal in 1769. However, since the Battle of Plassey in 1757, they were the de facto rulers. They collected tax and propped up the puppet regime of Mir Zafar. Mir Zafar had earned universal condemnation and hatred for betraying Shiraj-ud-Dowla in the Battle of Plassey, thereby ensuring victory for a small band of British soldiers

under Robert Clive. So, while the British merrily collected tax and Mir Zafar led a drugged existence in his golden cage, the common people of Bengal continued to suffer, their misery and tears touching neither the British nor Mir Zafar. In all areas where the British collected tax, they appointed overzealous Collectors, who ensured that they met their collection targets, never mind the condition of the local people. After collection, the booty was transferred to the East India Company coffers in Kolkata through bullock cart convoys. Given the impoverished condition of the countryside and the bands of thugs that ravaged anything at sight, these convoys moved with heavily armed soldiers and guards, like the one that Mahendra had just accosted. Seeing the approaching convoy, and to avoid any sort of confrontation, Mahendra decided to step out of the road into the adjoining forest to let it pass. One of the guards however spotted Mahendra receding into the forest and took him for a thug. There goes a thug he shouted out excitedly. The fact that Mahendra was carrying his gun, lent credibility to the thug theory. The guard leapt out and was upon Mahendras throat in a jiffy. Bloody thug he shouted, landing a few blows on Mahendras face and snatching his gun. Mahendra fought back, punching the guard and pushing him away. His was however, overpowered by a reinforcement of three or four guards, who made him captive and took him to their Commanding Officer, declaring that he had killed one of their colleagues. The British CO, riding on horseback behind the convoy, smoking a pipe in an inebriated condition, did not want to be disturbed with such petty matters at that hour. Catch the bloody fellow and have him married! he said not making much sense. The guards, not quite sure how to execute that particularly tricky order, decided to tie up Mahendra and dump him in one of the carts for the time being, expecting their CO to come out of his blissful state of mind and pronounce a more logical and implementable order. Mahendra, on his part, realizing the futility of struggle, lay motionless in the moving cart, resigned to extreme grief, wondering if he had any motivation left to continue living. Chapter 8 Meanwhile Bhabananda, mildly humming a tune in the praise of the Lord, was proceeding in the direction of that infamous inn where Mahendras misfortune had been enacted earlier that evening. On the way, as luck would have it, he came across the convoy in which Mahendra was now a captive. Like Mahendra, he also stepped aside to let it pass. The guards, after the Mahendra-episode, were already jittery and apprehensive of lurking dangers. Now seeing Bhabananda they were convinced that not one, but a series of thugs had plotted against them. They pounced upon him shouting You are also a bloody thug. Unperturbed, Bhabananda countered: Can you not see that I am a sanyasin?

Guard: A whole lot of so-called sanyasins resort to thugging these days. Saying this he and his colleagues proceeded to rough up Bhabananda and dragged him up to the convoy. Bhabanandas eyes flared up at this treatment, but he remained calm externally. With utmost humility he asked the Guard Sir, what orders do you have for me? The Guard warmed up to Bhabanandas apparent show of meekness and relaxed. Carry one of these loads on your head and come with us, he ordered. Saying this, he dumped a bundle on Bhabanandas head. Another Guard, observing this episode advised Dont trust the fellow, he might escape. Why dont we tie him up also and dump him with his fellow thug? Bhabananda now realized there was one more prisoner in the convoy and was more than willing to sacrifice his freedom to get to know this prisoner more closely. He therefore meekly surrendered to the tying-up activity that followed and allowed him to be dumped alongside the other captive whom he intuitively recognized as Mahendra! Having dealt with the two prisoners, the Guards relaxed once again and continued on their dreary journey, bantering and chattering amongst themselves. The rhythmic creaking and squeaking of the wooden wheels of the carts measured the progress of the convoy as it moved through the night along the forlorn highway. Sensing the return to normalcy, Bhabananda stirred and whispered to his fellow prisoner Mahendra Singha, I know you and I am here to help you. Dont worry about who I am. Just do as I say. Place your hands on the carts wheel in a way that the ropes tying your hands rub against the wheel. Mahendra followed the instruction mechanically. Very soon the ropes snapped and Mahendra was partially free. Then under instructions from Bhabananda, he similarly freed the shackles tying his feet. Bhabananda followed suit and very soon both prisoners lay quietly in the cart, free of their shackles. By now, the convoy had reached the spot where the highway snaked around the small hill on top of which Satyananda had met Bhabananda. In the haze created by the moonlight, the Guards saw the silhouette of a man atop a rock by the side of the road. Yet another thug, shouted out a Guard, Lets get him also. One of the Guards ran to capture the latest in the series of thugs, who remained motionless atop the rock. He did not resist even while the Guard captured him and presented him to his colleagues. A senior Guard placed a heavy load on the captors head, who accepted the same silently without protest. The convoy, after this brief flurry of activity, moved on. Suddenly, a pistol shot shattered the silence of the night. The shot had pierced the head of the senior guard and he fell dead. The thug shot him! cursed one of the Guards and grasped the latest captive, who had by then dropped his heavy load. He took fresh aim and shot dead the guard nearest him. As if on cue, the air was filled with shouts of Vande Mataram, as two hundred armed sanyasins descended upon the convoy. The startled Guards,

paralyzed into inaction, awaited some sort of command from their CO. The order came. The British Officer, riding on horseback, was jolted out of his inebriated bliss. He ordered his men to cordon off the convoy and take up position ready to fire. However, the subsequent order to fire never came, as someone had crept up from behind, unsheathed his sword and swiftly beheaded the CO. The focus now shifted to this man, who was now standing atop one of the carts, brandishing the sword, urging the attackers to kill the guards. He was none other than Bhabananda! The Guards, witnessing the sudden reversal of fortunes following the demise of their Officer, fell into disarray. The two-hundred-strong thug force, now sensing a window of opportunity, fell upon the convoy, killing at will and looting at random. The remaining Guards, realizing all was lost, dissolved into the nearby forests, running for dear life. The man, who was seen atop the rock, now approached Bhabananda. As they embraced each other Bhabananda said, Brother Jibananda, your renunciation has been vindicated! So has yours, replied Jibananda, as he proceeded to remove the booty to its appointed place, leaving Bhabananda standing alone. Mahendra emerged from the mayhem, shaken but unharmed. Chapter 9 Mahendra had been intrigued by the sudden turn of events. Initially he had jumped out of the wagon to join the marauding forces, which he perceived as natural allies. He had even opened his account by killing a Guard. Soon, however, he got the feeling that this was just a group of thugs that had attacked the convoy, solely for the purpose of killing and looting. So he decided to distance himself from their activities and stood afar, just watching. Now, as he approached Bhabananda, he asked Who are you? Why do you want to know? countered Bhabananda. Mah: You have helped me survive. I am indebted to you Bhaba: But your actions did not match your sentiments. All this while, we were fighting and you were trying to slime away from the scene instead of helping us. You well-fed landlord types are good only in your words. When it comes to walking the talk, you prove to be absolute cowards! Mahendra could not take it any more. Unable to control his hatred he said, What you just did was evil, an act of blatant thuggery. Bhaba: Maybe, but then we just did you a massive favor and have intentions of doing more for you. Mah: Yes, you have indeed helped me. But what else can you do for me? Besides, I dont really like the idea of being helped by thugs. Bhaba: Whether you like being helped by us or not is entirely up to you. But in case you have a desire to see your wife and daughter, you might want to follow me.

Mahendra stopped in his tracks! Bhabananda said nothing more, but started walking. Although Mahendra wondered whether he was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, he followed Bhabananda. He had no choice! Chapter 10 In that moonlight-bathed night, the two walked silently. Bhabananda lead the way, Mahendra followed, still in grief and humiliation, but somehow relieved and suspenseful of what lay in store. Surprisingly, as they walked, Bhabananda seemed to transform. No more did he look like the cold and calculating, brutal and ruthless thug leader who wrecked havoc in the ranks of the Guards. No more did he display the pride and arrogance with which he had admonished Mahendra after the skirmish. It was as if the mellow moonlight had drenched the man with a humane and romantic disposition. It was as if a turbulent sea had suddenly calmed down into the serenity of gently rolling waves. Bhabanandas transformation resulted in a mellow infectious smile and a desire to engage Mahendra in good-natured banter, replaced the earlier pride and haughtiness. However, Mahendra was in no mood for light banter and kept aloof. Finally, giving up the idea of engaging Mahendra in talk, Bhabananda started singing.. Vande Mataram Sujalang, Suphalang, Malayaja Sheetalam, Shashya Shaymalam, Mataram Praise the Mother (who provides us) Clean water, abundant produce and the cool breeze, And the verdant crops.. Oh! Mother Mahendra was bewildered. He did not understand the song well. Who is this Mother you are singing aboutwho provides the clean waters, the produce, the breeze and the verdant crops etc.? He asked. Bhabananda did not reply but kept singing Shining full-moon-lit skies The flower-studded beauty of the boughs, With enchanting smile and sweetness of words Our happiness-providing, blessings-giving Mother Mahendra: True, what you sing is a very poetic description of our land, I understand that. But where is this Mother concept coming from? Bhaba: We are sanyasins. We have forsaken family life. To us, our land is our Mother. We derive sustenance, solace and motivation from our landMother. Beyond that, we do not have any other mother, father, wife, son,

house or property. All we have is the clean water, cool breeze, all providing verdant Motherland. Mahendra was now beginning to appreciate Bhabanandas concept. Why dont you sing again, he implored. Bhabananda continued singing the remaining verses of his Vande Mataram in praise of the Mother. Mahendra was astonished at how the thug Bhabananda as now crying with emotion, his words choking as he continued to sing his mesmerizing song. He therefore ventured to ask once again, Who are you? We are the Children, replied Bhabananda. Mah: What children? Whos children? Bhaba: The Children of our Mother, our God. Mah: That sounds great! But you appear to be children who rob and loot at will. Is that how you express love and devotion for your Mother and God? Bhaba: We do not rob and loot at will Mah: But thats exactly what you did sometime ago Bhaba: Do you call that looting? Whom did we loot anyway? Mah: The government, what you looted was the tax meant for the government coffers Bhaba: And what do you think the government is supposed to do with the tax they collect? Mah: Whatever. Its their share of the revenues from the land Bhaba: A government that does not govern has no right to any share of revenues Mah: One of these days, you will all get wiped out by the government forces Bhaba: We have seen a lot of these so called governments forces. Even today we encountered and took care of one suchdidnt we? Mah: You are yet to face their full might. I am sure you will, one of these days Bhaba: Yes may be you are rightbut so what? We all die once, dont we? Mah: But whats the point in dying like thislike a dog on the highway? Bhaba: Mahendra Singha! I thought you were made of different stuff. But you are proving me wrong. See, I consider the snake that crawls on its belly as the lowest form of life. But even the snake shapes up for a challenge when trampled upon. How can you people be so patient that nothing provokes you! Magadh, Mithila, Kashi, Kanchi, Delhi, Kashmir or where on earth have people been reduced to eating grass, weeds, dogs, cats and even dead human bodies like here? In which land have people become so panicky that they do not know where to hide their wealth or how to protect their wives and daughters? Kings and governments are supposed to provide safety and security to their subjects. The Muslim rulers of Bengal who are now in power do not provide any governance, safety or security. We are losing the faith, the religion of our forefathers. Having completely lost our self respect, we are now at danger of losing our lives and very soon our entire race stands to be decimated. Unless we fight back to remove these

worthless, debauched rulers, we can never hope to regain our morality, our religion and our self belief Mah: How will you remove them? Bhaba: By force Mah: And you children hope to be your Mothers savior all by yourselves? You will just slap them and they will run away? Bhabananda sang out: If seven crore voices fill the airand twice those numbers of arms rise in unisonimagine the power! And we still feel our Mother is powerless? Mah: Thats a great vision, but in reality I find you are virtually alone in your struggle Bhaba: But didnt you just see two hundred of us crushing the soldiers? Mah: Are all of them also Children like you? Bhaba: Yes they are Mah: How many are there in all? Bhaba: There are thousands now and the numbers are gradually increasing Mah: OK, lets assume the numbers will swell to ten, or even twenty thousand. Will that be enough to unseat the Muslim administration? Bhaba: How many British soldiers were there at Plassey? Mah: Are you trying to compare the British soldiers with your rag-tag band of Bengali thugs? Bhaba: Why not? Bodily strength may no more be the deciding factor in war. Do you think a stronger man can fire a cannonball a greater distance than a weaker man? Mah: Then why is there a difference between a British soldier and a Muslim soldier? Bhaba: It is in the attitude. The British will not quit even if he is half dead. The Muslim will want to retire, looking for a glass of sherbet at the slightest opportunity. The British are a determined lot. Also, they are strategic in their approach. They calculate exactly where the shots from the cannon might land and then plan their warfare accordingly. The Muslims generally follow the herd mentality and will panic and scatter away when shots are fired at them. Mah: So does your force have the right attitude and the strategic capabilities? Bhaba: Not yet, but such qualities do not fall from trees, they need to be developed and nurtured through intense practice Mah: Do you practice? Bhaba: Dont you see we are sanyasins? Our sacrifice and renunciation of worldly possessions and sentiments help us in our training. We are focused and will accomplish our mission. In fact, after completing our mission, we will go back to a regular domestic life, to our families, our loved ones Mah: And now that you have temporarily sacrificed your family lives, dont you remember your loved ones? Dont you get distracted by those thoughts? Are you not tempted to go back?

Bhaba: Well, to tell you the truth, how can one really forget? How can one forsake the love of their beloved? If anyone says that he has been able to totally stamp out such thoughtsthen either he is lying, or he never had those feelings in the first place. However, we try to suppress those thoughts, feelings and memories, to honor our vows as Children. Will you join us? Mah: Unless I am united with my family, I really can not say anything Bhaba: Come then! Let me take you to your wife and daughter The two continued their trek. Bhabananda resumed Vande Mataram. Mahendra was not bad at singing and so joined in. Soon he realized he was getting emotionally carried away and tears welled up. He asked Bhabananda Is there a way I can join you, without having to sacrifice my ties with my wife and daughter? Bhaba: There is no way of dedicating yourself to the cause without first forsaking your family. We do however ensure the safety and security of your family in your absence, wherever they choose to live Mah: I will not join you then. Chapter 11 The gloomy dark cover of the night had lifted. The forest was now bathed gloriously in the morning sun and the chirping birds rendered a cheerful touch. In that first morning flush of happiness, in the rejuvenated forest, in all its tranquility stood the Ananda Math- truly, the sanctum of happiness. Sanyasin Satyananda sat in lotus position in front of the Lord, transfixed in his morning prayers. Near him sat Jibananda. Suddenly Bhabananda and Mahendra burst into the room. Satyananda ignored the intrusion and continued with his prayers in silence. None of the others dared to break his trance. Finally, when he ended his prayers, the others touched his feet in respect. Satyananda motioned to Bhabananda and the two exited the room. What transpired between the two is not known, but upon return, the saintly man commiserated with Mahendra for all the miseries that had befallen since the time events conspired to separate Mahendra from his family the previous evening. Let the Lord, in his immense kindness, be thanked, he exclaimed, after describing the circumstances under which he had rescued his wife and daughter. Let me direct you to where your wife and daughter are now resting, he finally concluded. Mahendra followed Satyananda through the Math. While brilliant sunshine dazzled outside, the high-ceilinged halls of the Math were still drowsily dark, as if suffering from the nights hangover. When his eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, Mahendra discerned in front of him the huge form of a fourarmed image of the Lord Vishnu. Satyananda: Do you see what stands in front of you? Yes, replied Mahendra but who is that sitting on the lap of the Lord Vishnu?

Mother replied Satyananda, and added we are all his sons. But who is she? Mahendra persisted. Satyananda: You will get the answer in due course. But for now just chant Vande Mataram and let us proceed. In the next hall, Mahendra accosted Goddess Jagatdhatri, resplendent in all glory and asked And what is the significance here? Satyananda: Jagatdhatri represents the Mother as she wasthe all conquering, all powerful, supremely beautiful protector of the earth, who possessed the aura of the morning sun. Bow down and pray to her. Mahendra did as he was told and then followed Satyananda further into the labyrinthine innards of the Math. They had now reached an underground chamber illuminated by a faint light coming from somewhere. In that faint light Mahendra saw a fearsome statue of the goddess Kali. Satyananda: Seethis is what the Mother is today. Mahendra stood there, slightly overawed. Mother is today in the image of Kalithe one who reigns over the dead of the cemeteryfor today the whole world is like a cemetery. The bountiful riches of the earth that had bejeweled Mother Jagatdhatri have now been traded for the necklace of human skulls that you see Goddess Kali is burdened with! Satyananda had become emotional and tears welled up in his eyes. Mahendra asked Why does Kali wield weapons in her hand? We the sons of Mother have just started empowering her Vande Mataram! replied Satyananda. Vande Mataram! chanted Mahendra and followed Satyananda once again. Bright sunlight hit them at the end of the tunnel. The chirping of the forest birds once again filled the air. A grand marble temple stood in the courtyard, with the ten-armed statue of the Goddess Durga, the conqueror of evil! Satyananda bowed before Durga and said this finally, is the image of Mother as she will be, ten empowered arms spreading in all directions, evil forces firmly under control at her feet. On her right stands Laxmi, the image of prosperity and wellbeing and on her left Saraswati, embodying learning and the muses. Also around are Kartik, the very source of strength and virility and Ganesh, the wise one who is an enabler, an implementer, ensuring what begins is completed with full success. Come let us pray said Satyananda and both of them approached Durga with folded hands. After a few minutes in prayer, Mahendra, overwhelmed by the occasion asked Satyananda, when will this image of the Mother be a reality? The day, all Her sons shout out Mother! in one voice, replied Satyananda. Suddenly reality struck Mahendra where is my wife and daughter? Oh...lets go replied Satyananda. Mah: I want to see them just once, before I bid them farewell

Sanyasin: Why will you bid them farewell? Mah: I want to be a part of your movement Sanyasin: Where will you send them? Mahendra wondered There is no one in my house and in this great famine there is nowhere to go Sanyasin: Go out the same way that you came inside and at the entrance you will meet your family. You wife has still not eaten anything. There is food, so ask her to eat and then decide what you will do. None of us will be available for the time being, but we will meet sometime, depending on what you decide to do. Saying so, Satyananda suddenly exited. Mahendra followed the instructions and was able to spot at a distance his wife and daughter. Meanwhile Satyananda, using one of the various passages of the Math, entered into an underground chamber. Jibananda and Bhabananda were already inside, counting coins and stacking them neatly. This room was full of gold, silver, copper coins and all other types of jems, stones and riches. The spoils of the last nights adventure were now being added to the stacks. Upon entering, Satyananda exclaimed, Jibananda, I think Mahendra will join us! And if that happens, his ancestral wealth will be at the disposal of our Mother! But do not accept him unless he is fully committed to the cause with all his body, mind, words and deeds. Meanwhile however, take turns to always keep Mahendra and his family under surveillance, to ensure that no harm comes their wayfor while slaying of the evil is our religion, so is the protection of the innocent. Chapter 12 After quite an ordeal, Mahendra was finally reunited with his family. Kalyani, wept uncontrollably. Mahendra also burst out crying. Finally, to regain composure, Kalyani diverted their attention to the food that was arranged for them. There was milk and a lot of fruits and vegetables that grew wild in the deep forest, which was by and large out of the reach of the famished population of the towns and villages. Mahendra and then Kalyani were able to satisfy their hunger and there was enough milk for the little girl as well. Having satisfied their thirst and hunger, the family fell into deep slumber. Upon waking up from their well deserved slumber, reality sank in. Where would they now go they wondered? We fled home thinking it was not safe there. But now it seems the outside world is even worse! Why then dont we go back home? Offered Kalyani. Mahendra was also in a similar frame of mind. He planned to go back home, put Kalyani and the daughter under the care of someone and then get back to the Math and immerse himself in service of the Mother. He therefore quickly agreed to Kalyanis proposal of going back home for now. Husband and wife then readied themselves for the

journey, picked up their daughter and their belongings and set out towards their village of Padachhinha. Going back was however, easier said than done. They had completely lost their bearings in that dense forest. Mahendra however reasoned that their first task was to reach the edge of the forest. Once out of the forest, surely they could ask around to reach the road leading to their village. But the very task of navigating their way though the forest proved to be futile. After some wondering around, they realized that they were back where they had started! A member of the Math, hitherto unknown to them, stood smiling. What are you smiling about? asked Mahendra. How did you enter this forest in the first place quipped the newcomer. Thats none of your business retorted Mahendra, visibly irritated. Then go out the same way you came in, came the prompt reply. Stop smilingand why dont you show us the way? Yes, I have been asked to show you the way out outsiders are not expected to know the way in and out of this forest. Follow me, said the man. Are you also a member of this Math? Inquired Mahendra and what is your name? Mahendra extended his question on seeing the man nod in the affirmative. My name is Dheerananda Goswami said the man and began leading the way. Finally, he led them to the highway skirting the edge of the forest and then disappeared back into the thickness of the forest. The road began winding along the edge of the forest. A small stream ran by the road, rendered invisible by the trees and the dense vegetation. Only the gurgling noise of the water gave away the secret. Together with the chirping birds, the cascading water created a melody that was too inviting for Kalyani. She selected a spot under a tree just next to the flowing water and beckoned to her husband to join her. When Mahendra sat next to her, she dragged her daughter on to her lap and held her husband by the hand and sat in absolute quietness for a while. Finally she remarked The danger that we had landed ourselves in is now over, why then do you still look so dejected? I have lost my self confidence. I am not sure what to do, said Mahendra. He then proceeded to relate all that had happened to him since the time they were separated the previous afternoon. Kalyani also related her horror stories. Despite my insecure situation, I did fall asleep in the early hours of the morning and I had a dream, she continued. I dreamt that I was in a place of indescribable beauty, where there was no landonly a sublime, pure light, like the one that sometimes breaks through thick clouds, bathing everything in its glory. A place where no man existed, only illuminations. No sound except the distant echoes of symphony, no smell except the fragrance of the freshest blooms. There, above all, in full view, sat someone supreme someone whose brilliance outshone everything else. Blinded by the radiance, I could just about make out the form of a very beautiful, but frail lady, standing in front of the Supreme Being, talking to Himthis is the woman I

felt the frail lady saying, pointing towards me She is the one who is preventing Mahendra from coming into my fold. The revelation, as narrated by Kalyani jolted Mahendra into silence. Only the sounds, sights and the smells of the forest prevailedthe birds chirped overhead and the stream rippled beneath. Somewhere in the distance large palm fronds moved noisily in the breeze. Wafts of breeze tossed around the scents of the wild flowers. The stream sparkled at random spots where rays of the sun were able to penetrate the dense leafy canopy of the forest. In the distance the blue contours of a faraway mountain range was visible. Finally, Kalyani broke the mesmerizing silence. What are you thinking, she queried. Wondering what to do, replied Mahendra, dreams are but a figment of our imagination that grows and feeds in our minds.anyway, lets go home he concluded. Go where your conscience tells you to go said Kalyani, placing the young girl on his lap. And what about you? shot back Mahendra. Kalyani closed her eyes and replied, I want to go where my inner voice beacons! And where is that, and how do you plan to reach there? questioned Mahendra startled. Kalyani held up her vial of poison that she had been carrying all though this travail. I thought this was the solution, but then. Her voice trailed off into silent thought. Mahendra stared at her, expecting her to complete the sentence. When that did not happen in a while, he asked but then what? Well, I thought the solution lay in this small vialbut on second thoughts, I dont think I can bear to leave the two of you. No, I dont want to die concluded Kalyani, letting the vial slip from her grasp. The two then continued to wonder what lay ahead of them, where they would go from there. Meanwhile, Sukumari, the little girl playing nearby, grasped the vial of poison that lay on the grass! Like any inquisitive child she opened the vial and a small pellet of poison trickled out into her palm, which she instantly placed inside her mouth without the least bit of hesitation! From the corner of her eye Kalyani caught this last bit of action. She lunged forward, trying to pry open the small girls jaws to retrieve the poison pill. The girl initially resisted, thinking this was a part of some game, but then relaxed her jaws, perhaps having tasted the bitter pill! The pill spilt out of her mouth and tumbled onto the grass beneath. The mother rushed to the stream, fetched some water in her cupped hands and poured it into her daughters mouth. Do you think some of the poison might have entered her system? Wailed Kalyani, addressing her husband. Where love is strong, the worst usually comes to mind. Mahendra held the pill in his hand and examined it closely. I think she did swallow a part of it, he concluded. The girl, by now unnerved by the sudden panic all around, began to cry and then finally being drained of energy, lay listless. Kalyani lost hope, felt desperate. Taking the pill from Mahendra, she popped it into her mouth and said,What the Gods want, can not be resisted. Saying

so, she swallowed the pill and fell to the ground! Why did you do that yelled Mahendra, but it was too late. Perhaps this was the best way out said Kalyani in a feeble voice. Why should an insignificant being like me come in the way, between God and your service to Him? See, when I dithered in following Gods message, He punished me by taking away my daughter. If I waver any further, something will happen to you Mahendra burst out crying. I could have kept you safely somewhere for the time being. Then after completing our mission, we could have lived a life of happiness together again: he said. Kalyani! You are my strength. How can I ever feel motivated to achieve anything without the silent strength that I derive from you? Who am I without you? Kalyani: Where could you have possibly taken me? My parents, relatives, friends.none of them are around. The famine has consumed them all. Besides, where is the road, where is the house, the food, the source of sustenance? Its good that I am dying. Now I know for sure where I am going. Bless me, so that I can go to that place of my dreamswhere I will wait for youindeed, we will reunite and be happy! Mahendra continued to cry inconsolably as Kalyani continuedin a loving voice, devoid of any tension or angst See, who can defy Gods will. You wanted to deposit me at a safe placeso this is Gods solution. Meanwhile, you go ahead; fulfill Gods work with all your body, mind and soul. Then once you are done, join me. We will rejoice together, where there is no pain, no sorrow Meanwhile the little girl had recovered. Traces of the poison, that might have entered her system was definitely not life threatening. Mahendra placed the child on Kalyanis lap and embraced both of them in a deep hug, crying profusely all the while. Kalyani was by now in the throes of delirium. Life was slowly seeping out of her body. Somewhere in the forest a deep but melodious voice could be heardsinging in praise of the Lord. Kalyani faintly heard the voiceas if the Gods were welcoming her into their own domain. Kalyani started singing in unison. It was a most inspiring combination the deep melodious voice of the forest and Kalyanis soulful rendition! Mahendra forgot his sadness. He felt uplifted. He joined the chorus in a rapturous state of mind. Finally, the voice of the forest fell silent. Kalyanis voice also died down. Her body went limp and her eyes closed. Mahendra realized that Kalyani had travelled to some other world, with the Lords praise on her lips. He burst out, his voice echoing in the forestas if trying desperately to still maintain contact with Kalyani in some faraway world. In his frenzy, he did not realize that a figure had crept up to him and was now embracing him, singing the same Lords tune. The two continued to sing as the birds and the forest sounds fell silent, as if in awe. The new comer, Satyananda, sat down on the forest floor, consoling Mahendra.

Chapter 13 Meanwhile, the Capital was abuzz with the news of Sanyasins, who were looting the government convoys bringing cash from various parts of the State. Troops were deployed to hunt them down. However, the fact was that in the famine-ravaged areas, there were hardly any sanyasins left. Sanyasins, who normally survived on food donated by the local community, did not stand a chance when the community itself was ravished! Most of them had therefore departed to far-away places like Kashi and Prayag in search of sustenance. Only the sanyasins of the Order of the Santaans1the Children, operating out of Ananda Math, deep inside the forest, remained. They assumed and discarded the garb of sanyasins at will. Therefore the troops, when they reached the area in search of sanyasins were baffled. Finding no sanyasin, they unnecessarily tortured the famished local people, smashing and breaking their houses and meager belongings. Satyananda, being the head of the Order, never discarded his sanyasin-garb. As he and Mahendra sat that night in the dark forest by the still body of Kalyani, the soldiers, looking for sanyasins, chanced upon them. One of them grasped Satyananda by the throat. Another fell upon Mahendra. Yet another was about to pounce upon Kalyani, but realizing that the body was that of a lifeless woman, let her go. The small girl was also similarly spared. They then dragged away Satyananda and Mahendra, leaving behind the body of Kalyani and the small girl, unprotected, in that huge dark forest. Initially, driven by his recent grief and overwhelmed by frenzy, Mahendra was numb to this latest misadventure. He did not offer any resistance to his capture. However, gradually realization dawned. The thought of Kalyanis body and his still alive daughter, now at the mercy of wild animals of the forest, broke his stupor. He jerked his two hands free with ferocity. A struggle ensued with his captors, but the numerical superiority of the soldiers led to his almost immediate recapture and a fresh round of tying up. Finally, physically and mentally decimated, Mahendra accused Satyananda, lying in captivity besides himwith a bit of help from you, we might have been able of overpower these goons. We do not have the strength to physically take them on now, replied Satyananda. We will utilize a far greater strength at the right time. For now, let us see where they take us. The mighty Lord will protect us. The two of them continued with the group in captivity, for the time being giving up all attempts of breaking free. After a while Satyananda asked the Guards I have the habit of chanting the Lords name. Do you have any problems with that? The Guards felt Satyananda was a docile, aged man of God and quite harmless. You can
1 Santaan literally means child. This Order of sanyasins calling themselves Santaans, the Children of Mother Earth

chant, we will not object said one of the Guards. You appear to be a respectable gentleman and most probably you will be let off by the magistrate. This other guy, however, has trouble written all over him the scoundrel will probably be hanged. Satyananda started singing out loud...Deep inside the forest, on the bank of the stream lies a lady, with Sukumari by the sideetc. His booming voice reverberated throughout the forest Upon reaching the city sometime the next day, they were presented to the magistrates office. The magistrate remanded them to custody and ordered for official proceedings to take place. When that would happen however, was debatable, since there was a dearth of judges. The prison where they were lodged had a terrible reputation most of those that entered it never came out. Chapter 14 That night, inside the dungeon Satyananda started chanted the Lords name and said Its a happy day for us as we are in prison. Why dont you join me in the chant? Mahendra chanted feebly. Why do you sound so feeble? asked Satyananda. In any case, continued Satyananda, since you were planning to dedicate yourself to the service of the Lord, you could not have stayed with your family. Not staying with them is one thing and seeing them die before my own eyes is another, countered Mahendra. The strength which was propelling me to serve the Lord, seems to have deserted me with the loss of my wife and daughter. You will regain your strength once you are officially ordained, said Satyananda. I am not interested in your sermons at the moment do not tell me all this, when my wife and daughter are on the verge of being devoured by wolves and dogs in the forest, said Mahendra, irritated. Be assured on that count, said Satyananda. Our colleagues would have completed Kalyanis last rites by now and you daughter must have been taken good care of. How the hell would you know all that? You have been with me all along, without any lines of communication with the outside world countered Mahendra sarcastically. Satyananda: Our diksha2, meditation and service to the Lord give us great powers. You will get news about your family and we will be freed from captivity before the night is over. Sensing utter disbelief on the part of Mahendra, Satyananda continuedOK, lets see if things work out. Saying so he walked up to the bars of the cell, said something to some one outside, came back and announced, Mahendra, you will be released right now! Lo and behold, the cell door cranked open and a Prison Guard entered. Who is Mahendra Singha? the Guard called out loud. Mahendra responded and was immediately allowed to leave. Your release has been orderedyou may go
2 Diksha: In Hinduism, diksha is the ritual of initiation into the worship of some deity by a guru (diksha guru) of a religious sect or group, who bestows mantra(s) of initiation

he said. Mahendra could not believe his ears! He walked out fearfully and tentatively onto the streets outside the prison, expecting at every step that someone will pounce upon him. To his surprise, no such thing happened. Back at the prison cell, the guard who had set Mahendra free now addressed Satyananda, Maharaj, he said, why dont you also leave? I have come especially for you. Are you Dheerendra Gosain? asked Satyananda. Yes, I am replied Dheerananda, in Guards uniform. Satya: How on earth did you manage to get here? Dheera: Bhabananda sent me here. Upon reaching the city and being told that you are being held in this prison, I came here and took care of the gentleman guarding your cell. He is now lying somewhere in a drugged condition. I had a tough time squeezing myself into his uniform. Satya: Thats good! You may now make your escape into the city. I will continue here. Suddenly Mahendra appeared back on the scene! Why are you back? asked Satyananda. Mah: You are a great person, definitely capable of taking care of yourself, but I did not feel it proper to leave you alone here. Satya: Ok, great! Stay with me then. Both of us will leave later tonight! Chapter 15 The previous night, a lot of people in the forest had heard Satyanandas song. Jibananda was one of them. He understood the meaning of the song. He figured out two immediate tasks. One was to rescue Satyananda from the Guards and the other was to take care of the woman and child indicated in Satyanandas song. While rescuing Satyananda was critical, he felt the woman and child needed attention first. Jibananda set out along the stream and soon came across the dead woman and the child. Although Jibananda had never been introduced to Mahendras wife and daughter before, he guessed as much. At least the daughter is alive, he thought. She must be taken care of, before she ends up being torn apart by wild animals. Bhabananda must be somewhere around, and can take care of the last rites of the woman, he figured. Thinking along these lines, Jibananda picked up the small girl. Carrying the girl with him, Jibananda traversed the forest and reached the other edge where Bhairabipur, a small village was located. The locals called it Bharuipur. Bharuipur was home to a handful of simple folks. There was no large village nearby. Dense forests encircled Bharuipur, which was however a beautiful little settlement. Verdant grasslands, orchards of jackfruit and mango abounded. A large lake, with clear water adorned the center of the village. Various species of water birds alighted on the lake water. The treetops surrounding the lake also buzzed with avian activity. The small houses of Bharuipur were neatly laid out, each with its slice of kitchen garden, cows in the manger and fruit trees in the backyard. The famine had

not spared Bharuipur, but perhaps with a lesser severity. The surrounding forests sustained the village even at the worst of times, with its abundance of wild fruits, water, animals and other produce. Jibananda walked towards an isolated house within a mango orchard. The four-roomed small house was surrounded by a mud wall that encompassed a cow in the cow-shed, a goat tied to a bamboo pole, a peacock that pranced about the compound, a mynah and a parrot chattering away incessantly. (A monkey was also a part of the family but was allowed to escape since they were not able to feed it any more!) The house boasted a granary, a lemon tree, a few bushes of fragrant flowers (which did not blossom that year) and spinning wheels in the rooms. Not many people, however appeared to live in the house, which now Jibananda entered carrying the small child. He stepped into a room and started playing with the spinning wheel, which made a creaky noise signifying long disuse. The child, who had been sobbing all along after her separation from her dead mother, started wailing out loud. Hearing the commotion a young lady, no more than seventeen or eighteen came out from the other room. It was quite apparent from her initial reactions that she was Jibanandas younger sister. And who is this sweet little girl? Is she your child? Did you get married again? she asked excitedly. Jibananda planted the child on her sisters lap and ordered her to get milk. The child stopped crying. Perhaps after all the harshness she had experienced over the couple of days, she finally felt secure and comfortable in the warm bosom of this beautiful young lady. Nimi, for that was how Jibananda addressed her, proceeded with great tenderness to feed the child warm milk. Dada3, she asked, whose child is this? Can I keep her with me? What will you do with her? asked Jibananda. I will feed her, take care of her she replied, with tears streaming across her cheeks. She wiped away the tears, smiled and continued feeding the child. Jiba: You will have children of your own why this one? Nimi: Maybe, but I want to keep this one Jiba: Ok, take good care of her. I will come to see her from time to time. Remember she comes from an affluent family of good caste. I will leave now Nimi: What do you mean? Will you not have lunch? Jiba: I am already eating your head off with all the trouble that I have deposited on your lap. Now you want me to eat lunch! Ok let me have some rice then, before I leave Nimi spread out lunch neatly. She served rice, boiled lentils, curry cooked from wild forest fruits, fish from the village lake and finally milk. Who will say that a famine is sweeping across the land? Jibananda observed. Is this village spared from the wrath? Nimi: Not reallybut we did get some rains, which helped us harvest some paddy. Besides, there are just the two of us in our family.
3 Dada, meaning elder brother in Bengali is how a younger sister normally addresses her elder brother

Jiba: And where is your husband? I dont see him Nimi: Oh! he went out to distribute rice to the needy in the village. Jibananda was having a hearty meal in quite a while. He ate to his hearts content, little realizing that Nimi had cooked just for two people and he had already devoured more than one persons share. Most likely Nimi would go without lunch. Nimi: Will you eat some more? Jiba: What else do you have? Nimi: Wait! there is a ripe jackfruit; I will get it for you In no time the whole jackfruit disappeared and while Jibananda smacked his lips in satisfaction, Nimi finally smiled and said Dada thats it. Now there is nothing else left for me to offer you! Jibananda seemed least concerned and said ok, next time! While replenishing his glass of water, Nimi asked Jibananda, with great trepidation, Will you promise me something? Now what? Shot back Jibananda. After examining the ground closely for quite a while she blurted out Will I call your wife for a moment, careful to keep her eyes firmly on the ground, scared to face Jibananda. Jibananda froze midway in his postlunch activities and admonished her sisterYou little monkey, who gave you the right to ask such impertinent questions? Nimi however, persisted in her wrangling. Bring me that little girl, I will not stay here any more said Jibananda proceeding purposefully towards the door. Nimi obstructed his way and repeated her request again. I will not let you go, without seeing your wife she continued with all her persuasive skills. You will have to kill me before I let you out of the house, she finally concluded out of desperation. Do you know how many people I have killed? Jibananda countered. If staying away from your wife and killing people is what gives you great pride, I am ashamed of being your sister. Besides, I am of the same bloodif required I can also kill. Jibananda sensed that things were getting pretty serious. He therefore acquiesced. OK do what you want. But let this be the last time you make such audacious requests. Nimi shot out of the house and ran towards a nearby hut. Inside sat a lady, in crumpled apparel and unkempt hair. Nimi burst into the house and shouted excitedly Hey hurry, hurry! Why hurry, for what? answered the lady Did your husband beat you do you want me to get oil to rub your wounds with? Yes, get the hair oil, said Nimi and proceeded to rub the oil into the ladys scalp and quickly braid her hair. Where is that silk sari of yours? She queried next. The ladys apparent distressed mental state had not yet totally blunted her appetite for fun! Nor could her state of dishevelment completely hide her youth and beauty. Now bemused at Nimis lunacy, she got out the sari, wondering how far Nimi would prolong her madness. Now what? The lady looked towards Nimi. You will wear the sari, said Nimi. Dada is here, he wants to see you. Why do I have to wear this sari to meet him? I can go

just like this. Saying this, the lady proceeded towards Nimis house with Nimi in tow. Nimi felt happyshe was successful in her mission, sari or no sari! On reaching her house Nimi pushed the lady through the door, slammed it shut from outside and waited at her own door steps. Chapter 16 This lady was probably around twenty five, but looked no older than Nimi. In spite of her miserable attire, she radiated freshness as she entered Nimis house. It was as if all the buds of a flowering plant had suddenly burst open revealing the brilliance of a thousand flowers blooming all at once! At first, upon entering the room, she was not able to locate her husband. Then she spotted him in the courtyard, beneath a mango tree. There were tears in his eyes. She proceeded towards Jibananda and held his hands. Only God knows, that the tears that welled up inside her would have swept Jibananda off his feet. But she held her tears back with great control. Dont cry, she said, I know you are crying for me, but believe me, I am happy the way I am. Jibananda wiped off his tears and said Shanti, why are you dressed so miserably? You dont have to live like thisyou have enough. Shanti: Its all your money. I dont know how to use all that. When you accept me back into your life once again, then it will all be there for you to spend. Jiba: Accept you back...when did I ever reject you? Shanti: Not rejection, but you have purposefully stopped loving me in order to fulfill your mission. I am looking forward to the time when your mission is accomplished and you will be back with me once again ... Jibananda embraced his wife, resting his head on her shoulders in silence for a while. Finally he let out a long sigh and said out loud I wish I did not make the mistake of meeting you! Shanti: Why did you do it then? You have broken your vow Jiba: I am not bothered so much about the vow. In any case, there are ways to atone for broken vows. But now that I have met you, I dont know how I will ever get myself to break away from you. On one hand, there is the entire world: family life, money, and all the comforts and pleasures of the material world and even my mission, my work, my vow, everything and on the other hand there is you, only you. I am at a loss to understand which side is heavier. What am I fighting for? When I see the misery I have created for you, I feel its all in vain. I dont want to leave you like this and go back... At length Shanti spoke. Shame on youyou are a brave warrior. My greatest pride and happiness is in knowing that I am the wife of a brave warrior. Do not deprive me of that happiness. Even if you do not love me, I can withstand. So go back to claim your rightful glory in the great work that you have vowed to do. But tell me something I assume the punishment for

one violation is the same for multiple violations? If so, please promise me that you will not subject yourself to any punishment, before meeting me one more time. Jibananda laughed and said, Rest assured, I will not die without meeting you again! I am not in a hurry to die. And besides, this was a very hurried meeting. I will find time to have a more leisurely visit to see you to my hearts content. But promise me that you will get rid of your miserable attire and go live in a more dignified manner. Shanti: Where will you go now? Jiba: I will go in search of Satyananda. I understand he left for the city in rather difficult circumstances. If I do not see him in the Math, I may be forced to go to the city in search of him. Chapter 17 Bhabananda was at the Math, singing songs in praise of the Lord. Gyanananda, a promising young disciple appeared, looking very perturbed. Whats the matter? Inquired Bhabananda. Gyan: All of us wearing robes are being rounded up by the muslim government goons. We have all been forced to shed our robes. Only sanyasin Satyananda has not abandoned his attire and it seems he was headed for the city. I am worried what might happen to him. Bhaba: If you ask me, there is no government that can capture him. Besides, I am told that Dheerananda is on his trail. Anyway, let me make a trip to the city to see whats up. You take care of the Math. Bhabananda retreated to an inner chamber. When he re-emerged, he had transformed himself into a young aristocrat of Moghul descent! He had traded his saffron robes for the regal dress that sat very well on his broad, manly young frame. He then armed himself and proceeded to a secluded spot in the forest which served as the Maths stable. Here he selected a fine horse and sped off thought the forest towards the city. Very soon, however, he chanced upon a young lady lying lifeless by the flowing spring. An empty vial lay nearby. Bhabananda felt extremely perturbed. Although he had heard of Mahendra and his family, he had not seen them. Nor was he aware of the fact that Mahendra was with Satyananda. Further, since the young girl was not around, he had no reason to suspect that this lifeless lady could indeed be the wife of Mahendra. However, the sight of a beautiful young lady, who had apparently poisoned herself, was cause for great concern to Bhabananda. He alighted from his horse and examined the lady intently, searching for any signs of life. There may be still some chance he finally concluded. Maybe I can still try to save her, but whats the point? He thought for a while and then entered the forest to extract some herbs. These he crushed with his bare hands and converted

to paste. He then administered some of the paste inside the mouth of the lifeless Kalyani. He rubbed the paste on the body as well. He repeated this process for some time, periodically placing his palm close to Kalyanis nose, as if trying to detect signs of faint breathing. At first the exercise seemed futile. However, after prolonged efforts, he did detect faint breathing! He felt her pulse and detected definite signs of life. Finally, like the faint rays of dawn that gradually brightens into early morning, Kalyani revived! She opened her eyes. Seeing his efforts succeed, Bhabananda hoisted her on the horse and rode off along with her towards the city.

Chapter 18 The news of Satyananda and Mahendras capture and imprisonment in the City prisons had spread amongst the Math community. Thousands of Santaans had begun to assemble in the forest, near the Math. They were all armed to the teeth. Gyanananda addressed them from the gate of the Math, sword in hand. We have been waiting since long for the day when we can rid ourselves of the inglorious influence of these marauders and bring sanity and purity to our lands. That day, my friends, has arrived. Our venerable guru, who has pledged his life in the service of the Lord, vowed to protect all of us and our families, who we consider as incarnation of the Lord himself, is today in custody, imprisoned in the prisons of the Muslim government agents. He brandished his sword and challenged Have our swords been blunted? he raised his fist and ridiculed Has the strength in our arms drained out? He slapped his breast and shouted Have we lost courage? Let us call out loud the name of the Lord, he who has defeated the demons and tormentors of the past and rendered our lives safe. He, who is undefeatable in war and from whose strength we derive our strength. Let us swing into action, with His name in our lips. With His blessings and motivation derived from the chanting His name, we can overcome any obstacle that is thrown our way. At this, the forest reverberated with the thousands of accumulated voices chanting the name of the Lord. Tens of thousands of swords and shields clanged in anticipations, and millions of drums and cymbals beat out the war-cry which rumbled like a series of deep rolling thunders across the dense forest. Such was the fury that the birds left their nests and boughs and flew high above in the sky, screeching in fright and disarray, adding to the immense cacophony. Gradually, this excited, armed mass moved towards the city and on reaching the outskirts, completely surrounded the city. They then entered the city, taking its residents by total surprise, plundering, killing and destroying at will. The city guards and security services were totally taken by surprise and

did not know how to retaliate. The Santaans proceeded to the prison, broke down the place, rescued Satyananda and Mahendra and carried them on their shoulders through the streets dancing and singing. They then started attacking houses and property belonging to the Muslims, looting, plundering and setting fire. Finally, Satyananda stepped in to prevent further carnage and was able to convince his disciples to retreat to the forests. In response to this sudden show of rebellion, the government authorities formed a special Pargana Sepoy squad. Not only was this squad armed with guns, but were also equipped with canons. The Santaaans, armed with mere swords and spears proved too inferior and for the time being the guns and canons were able to silence the sanyasin mutiny, which had spontaneously flared up, ignited by manmade as well as natural hardships and sufferings. The superior firepower of the Pargana Sepoys broke up the rebellion and scattered the sanyasins, whose top leadership retreated to the Ananda Math to lick their wounds and search for answers.

PART 2
Chapter 1 Shanti had lost her mother when she was still very young. This fact was one of the major determinants of her character. Her father was a scholarly academician. There were no female influences in young Shantis life. She accompanied her father to the village school, where the students were all male. She used to listen to her father teaching them and later play along with the boys. The first manifestation of this upbringing was the fact that she started dressing like boys. Her lifestyle replicated that of the boys at the school and she copied them in all their boyish activities. The second manifestation was that she began to learn whatever was taught to the boys. Without knowing grammar, she actually began to memorize the text books. Her father saw her tremendous ability at memorizing, and so decided that she might as well learn the grammar and receive a complete education. Given the opportunity, this she did with great relish and accomplishment. Along with grammar, she accomplished a lot in literature as well. But then, all hell broke loose her father died! Shanti became shelter less. The school broke up, the boys went home. All the boys liked Shanti. One of them took the helpless girl home. We already know this person by the name of Jibananda, although at that time he was not called Jibananda, a name he

had assumed after his diksha. Anyway, for the sake of convenience, we will continue to call him Jibananda. Jibanandas parents were perplexed. Who would take care of this orphaned girl? They wondered. Jibananda was adamant. He would marry the girl, he said. Those days marriage took place quite early in life and so the teenaged Jibananda married the much younger Shanti. The parents were relieved that a solution was found. However a peculiar problem presented itself after this marriage. Shanti, as she was wont to do, continued to dress like a boy, refused to keep her hair like a proper lady and refused to amend her ways to suit that of a married woman! She would rarely stay indoors and would play with the boys of the locality, often venturing out into a deep forest that lay nearby, in search of animals, rare fruits and flowers. At first her in-laws reasoned with her, then mildly reprimanded her and then finally resorted to beating her up and locking her indoors. One day, finding the door somehow open, Shanti escaped from home and ran away into the deep forest. Inside the forest, she gathered fruits and flowers, crushed them and then dyed her clothes in the saffron color of a sanyasins attire. Then she joined one of the various groups of ambulant sanyasins that roamed all over Bengal at that time, surviving on alms. Sanyasins of that era need to be viewed in proper context. They were generally well educated, disciplined, possessed great physical and moral strength and were well conversant in the art of warfare. However, they were revolutionary in nature, opposed to the rule of the land and resorted to looting the government property at the slightest opportunity. Also, they were especially keen in indoctrinating young boys and alluring them into their fold. They were thus also known by the name boy-catchers, and enjoyed a special place in the psyche of rural Bengal, where mothers would scare their children to sleep, by threatening to hand them over to boy-catchers. Shanti joined one such group as a boy-sanyasin. Initially they refused to accept her, being a girl. But then, she impressed them by her intelligence, knowledge, sharpness of mind and the ability to get things done. She exercised with them, learnt to use weapons and became physically resilient. She travelled to various places, fought many a skirmish with them and generally gathered a lot of real-life experience. She also became independent and street-smart. Gradually she developed physically into a fullgrown lady, but sanyasins who were by and large a disciplined lot, did not take advantage of her in any way. One of sanyasins, being impressed by Shantis prowess in the Sanskrit language, began to teach her further. He delved into the Sanskrit epics and verses that described human relationships of love and lust in great details.

Thanks to her unique upbringing thus far, words like embarrassment, shyness or coyness did not exist in Shantis dictionary. However, these literary works began to fill her up with a sense of woman-ness that was absent earlier. She began to appreciate the nuances of the man-woman relationship. Although sanyasins were by and large a disciplined lot, not all were above human weaknesses. This sanyasin, who had taken upon himself to educate Shanti, observed her blossom, transforming from a raw tomboy into a sensuous young beauty. He lost his sense of control and one day tried to overpower Shanti. However, Shanti, who was well trained in martial arts, we able to extricate herself from his clutches. She decided then that it was time for her to part ways with the group. Another word that had not yet appeared in Shantis dictionary was fear. She set out alone for home. After a long struggle with various odds, surviving on alms and wild fruits, she finally reached her husbands house. Her father in law had died meanwhile. Her mother-in-law was however alive and did not let her set foot inside the house for fear of being ostracized by the community. Jibananda was at home. He ran after Shanti and accosted her Why did you leave us and where did you go? He inquired. Shanti narrated to him all that had transpired. Jibananda believed what she said and sympathized. It was at this point that the feeling of love seemed to dawn upon both of them. It was as if they had re-discovered themselves and their relationship that bound them together. Just wait for me here, Ill be back soon, said Jibananda and left. I am waiting for youplease do come back, implored Shanti. Jibananda bid farewell to his mother and then proceeded to Bhairabipur along with Shanti. Jibanandas younger sister Nimi had been recently married off to someone there. Nimas husband had a small plot of land adjacent to his house. He allowed Jibananda to build a hut there so that the two could stay there comfortably. Those were happy and fulfilling days for Jibananda and Shanti. Shanti completely shed her earlier rough and tumble and settled down as a young bride, into a life of married contentment with her husband. Happiness however, did not give them company for long. Jibananda was soon caught up with Satyananda and his Santaans. He took diksha, left Shanti and devoted himself to the cause. How Nimi was able to unite the two of them (albeit briefly) for the first time since that forced separation, has been described in earlier chapters. After this brief flashback, let us now get along with the story from where we had left off. Chapter 2

After Jibanandas departure that day, Shanti sat for a while in Nimis courtyard. Nimi joined her with the small girl in her lap. Shanti was crying no more. She had already regained her composure and had a smile on her lips. Nimi said So at least you could meet him, trying to probe into her state of mind. Shanti sat quietly. Nimi realized it was best to change topic and so said Look, what a cute little kid. Where did you find her? Asked Shanti. This is dadas girl, dont you know? said Nimi, in jest. But Shanti was in no mood for jest. I did not ask you about the father, who is the mother? She countered, irritated. Nimi, duly chastened, replied hurriedly I did not ask him who the mother was. Maybe he found the kid somewhere along the way. A lot of kids are abandoned in these days of famine. This one looked so adorable and cute, so I asked dada to leave her with me. Shanti and Nimi then chatted for a long while, till Nimis husband returned. Shanti then returned to her hut. Inside, she stood for a long while thinking. Finally she said to herself I will now do exactly what I have been planning for a long time, but never got myself to it. I will follow my inspiration. The justification is now clear.one or multiple, the sacrifice for breaking vows is the same! But is this inspiration or should I call it desperationthe desperation of my life? The silk sari that Nimi had made her take out caught her attention. She tore off the patterned silk edges of the sari, till only the plain, un-patterned body of the sari remained. She then dyed it in saffron. She cut off her long hair with a pair of scissors. She then tied up her shortened hair in the manner of a sanyasin. She wore the dyed cloth and took out a long-forgotten mirror to take a look at herself. She accumulated a portion of her cut hair and tried out a moustache, but then decided against it. She however tied the hair in a piece of cloth to carry along with her. Then she took out a deerskin from somewhere and wrapped it around her shoulders. Her make-over was now complete! Well past midnight, the door of the hut opened and a sanyasin stepped out into the dark forest night. Later that night, someone moving through the silence of the forest reported hearing this beautiful song: Where are you off towho goes there on horseback? I am off to the war, pray, do not divert me off-track, With passion in my heart and chanting the Lords song Let me plunge into the fray, headlong. Chapter 3 At the Ananda Math, three dispirited men, Satyananda, Jibananda and Bhabananda, sat discussing. Jibananda asked Satyananda Why is it that God is so unhappy with us? Satyananda replied Its not a question of God being

happy or unhappy with us. In war, victory and defeat are but the two sides of the same coin. We won, and then we lost. But these are mere battles. The war is won or lost not by winning or losing one battle. Our faith in God will ultimately see us through. We will achieve our objectives in the end. While it is true that we can not win this war without the blessings of the Lord, it is also true that we can not hope to win without sophisticated weaponry at our disposal. Sticks and stones are no answer for canons and muskets. So, in order to fight and win this war, we have to equip ourselves with matching weapons. We need the guns and canons Jiba: but thats a difficult proposition Satya: As children of our Mother, nothing should be difficult to us Jiba: How do you plan to acquire the weapons? Satya: To set our plan into action, I will set out on a pilgrimage tonight. Do not take any major step till I return. Only ensure that we remain united. Take care of the food and shelter needs and try to replenish our coffers as best as possible. I give this responsibility to the two of you. Bhaba: How will your pilgrimage help in acquiring arms? Who will sell? Where will you buy? Besides, bringing these arms from distant places will be a nightmare. Satya: Procuring and transporting arms is not the solution. I will send artisans. We will manufacture here Jiba:What? Here at Ananda Math? Satya: No, thats ridiculous! The solution to that has been in my mind for quite a while. You were giving up on God. I, on the other hand find Him extremely kind on us. The Lord has already shown us the way Bhaba: OK, so where will we set up the manufacturing facility? Satya: In the town of Padachinna. Jiba: now, how does that? Satya: Why do you think I am trying to enlist the support of Mahendra? Bhaba: But has Mahendra made up his mind as yet? Satya: He will make up his mind. Tonight, we will conduct his formal diksha! Jiba: But is he ready yet? What has he done with his wife and daughter? By the way, I found a small kid in the forest today next to a dead woman. I took the girl to my sisters house so that she is taken care of. Satya; That was Mahendras daughterand the dead woman was Mahendras wife. Bhabananda was listening intently. It was his turn to get jolted. He realized that the lady whom he had nursed back to life and had carried to the city on horseback, was indeed Mahendras wife! But he decided against volunteering this information immediately. Jibananda continued: How did Mahendras wife die? Satya: She consumed poison Jiba: Why did she have to do that? Satya: God had beckoned her in her dreams.

Bhaba: Was that Gods way of facilitating Mahendras decision making? Satya: Thats what I was told by Mahendra. Ok, now I will retire for my evening prayers. Then we will commence the process of diksha for the newcomers. Bhaba: You said newcomers. Do you have anyone apart from Mahendra in your list of diksha takers? Satya: Yes, we do have another newcomer. I met him for the first time today... found him very young and promising. Pure gold, if you ask me. I will put Jibananda on the job of training him, since I find he has a knack of attracting the attention of people. I will now leave, but before that, I have some instructions for the two of you. Order us, the two of them spoke out in unison. Satya: If any of you two have broken the vows, or do so during my absence, do not try to punish yourself for that in my absence. Punishment, there will be, but wait for my return. After Satyananda had departed, the two disciples stared at each other, looking for answers. Was that for you? Asked Bhabananda. Jiba: Probably. As you know, I had been to my sisters house to deposit the kid. Bhaba: But that in itself does not constitute a violation of vows. Did you by any chance, visit you wife while you were there? Jiba: Maybe thats what Satyananda feels. Chapter 4 On completion of his evening prayers, Satyananda called in Mahendra. Your daughter is safe and sound he announced. Where Sir? Why are you calling me Sir? Thats how everyone addresses you around hereso where is my daughter Sir? Satya: Before I answer that, tell me somethinghave you finally decided on joining the Santaans? Mahendra: Yes, thats what I have decided. Satya: Then I will not tell you the whereabouts of your daughter. Those that undergo diksha vow not to maintain any contacts with their family members, till such time our mission is accomplished and we disband. Even looking at them amounts to breaking the vow. So in case you have decided to join us, whats the point in knowing where your daughter is? Mahendra Why this severe vow, Sir? Satya: The job at hand is extremely difficult. Only those that have been able to sever all links with the material world can truly be up to the task. For, as long as you are tied to material ties, you are at best like a kite that no matter how high it flies in the sky is ultimately moored to the ground and can never hope to break away and rise to the heavens.

Mahendra: Sir, the concept does not appear very logical to me. Do you mean to say that a family man, living in the material world, is not capable of great achievements? Satya; We tend to forget Gods work when in the company of our near ones. The element of sacrifice, which is so critical, gets diluted and compromised. Will you be able to sacrifice your life willingly, if you are constantly reminded of your daughters face? Mahendra: You mean to say that I will forget my daughters face by just staying away from her forcibly? Satya: If you can forget her, then dont join us. Go home and lead a contended family life. Mahendra: If such are your rigorous requirements, then I am afraid you will end up with very few disciples. Satya: There are two categories of santaans... those that undergo diksha and those that do not. The latter are basically family men, who only join us at times of action and are rewarded by a share of the spoils. But those that take diksha are all-sacrificing. They are the leaders. We dont need you as a nondiksha member. There are enough sympathizers who will assemble with sword and spear at short notice. Unless you undergo diksha, you will not be able to play any significant role in our organization. Mahendra: What do you mean by diksha? Why do I have to be initiated? Am I not already a follower of the religion to which we all owe allegiance to? Satya: you have to be born-again. I will administer a new set of mantras. We are vaishnavites, believers of the Lord Krishna. Mahendra: I thoughts Vaishnavites were non-meat-eating believers of nonviolence. Satya: What you are talking about is the Sri Chaitanya sect of pseudoVaishnavites. They followed the Buddhist model in their religious outlook. True Vaishnavism is all about following the edicts of Lord Krishna, where evil is to be fought and the country rescued from the clutches of evil forces. We follow in the footsteps of Lord Krishna, who taught us how to deal with evil, be it in the battlefield of Kurukshetra or in his slaying of the devilish king Kangsha. The ways of Sri Chaitanya is only about love. That is half the story. Love has its place, but the world also needs to meet the forces of evil with force. We are both sects of Vaishnavism, but we are both halves that together complete the full meaning of Vaishnavism. Did you understand Mahendra? Mahendra: Not really. I am confused. Some time back I met a padre in Kassimbazar, who, like Sri Chaitanya said that God was full of love and was trying to convince me that loving Jesus was the only way out. Satya: I am trying to explain it the way our forefathers have understood all alongthat there are three attributes to the concept of God. Mahendra; yes, I have heard that. Svattik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Satya: Yes thats right. Each of these three attributes has different ways of worship. Worshippers of the Svattik attribute of God are like Sri Chaitanya or your padrewho talks of love and loving God. The Rajasik worshippers

worship God through war, through their fight against evil and oppression. That is what we are doing. And for the Tamasik worshippers, God assumes various tangible forms, so that the common man can see God in his own image and worship a tangible form with all the attendant rituals. Does that make things a bit simpler to understand? Mahendra: yes that makes sense. So the Santaans are just worshippers of God? Satya: Thats right! We dont have any grand ambitions of conquests and establishing our own rule. We just want to get rid of the Muslim marauders, the non-believers. Chapter 5 After his discussions with Mahendra, the two of them entered the inner sanctum of the Math. Here as we have earlier seen, stood the imposing image of Vishnu. The place was lit up with myriads of earthen lamps. Gold and silver objects sparkled in the light of the lamps. Heaps of flowers adorned the room. There was a person inside, chanting in a muted voice. On seeing Satyananda enter, this person fell on his feet to seek blessings. Satyananda asked are you ready for diksha? Yes, set me free, said the person. Satyananda then asked both of them Have you complied with all the requirements for the diksha? Yes, we have chorused both of them. Satya: Do you pledge to abide by all the rules of the Santaans? Both: yes we do Satya: As long as we do not liberate our Mother, you will renounce your domestic life? Both: yes, we will Satya: You will renounce your parents, brothers and sisters, spouse, relatives? Both: Yes we will Satya: You will renounce all material wealth? Both: Yes, everything Satya: You will conquer lust and not co-habit with the opposite sex? Both: We will conquer lust and not co-habit with the opposite sex Satya: You will not indulge in any activity that leads to gains or profit for your family. All gains and profits, whatsoever, will be surrendered at the coffers of the Math Both: we agree to that Satya: You will take up arms and fight to defend your religion Both: Yes we will Satya: You will never turn your back in war Both: We will not Satya: And what if you break any of these vows? Both: We will immolate ourselves or consume poison to end our lives as an act of supreme punishment.

Satya: There is one other thing. Mahendra, you belong to the kayastha caste and the other one, you are a Brahminright? Both: You are right Satya: From now onwards, you will forsake your castes. In the Order of the Santaans, there are no castes. Brahmin, Kayastha, Sudraall are one. Both: We will not maintain caste differences. We are all one in the service of the Lord. Satya: If that is so, then I will initiate you. Do not break any of the vows you just made in the presence of the Lord, the destroyer of evil over the ages. He, who tolerates no evil, He, who tolerates no injustice, has just witnessed your vows. Now you break your vows at your own peril at the risk of suffering in hell. Both: We fully understand that. Satya: Now you must sing Vande Mataram. The two started singing. Satyananda completed the rest of the diksha process. Chapter 6 After the diksha was over, Satyananda closeted with Mahendra. I see the hand of the Lord in your decision to undergo this initiation process. You will play a crucial role in our overall game plan. Listen to what I say carefully. Go back to your town of Padachinna. You will fulfill your sacred obligations there. Mahendra was surprised and somewhat disappointed. Satyananda continuedsee, right now, we do not have a fortified place from where we can resist and retaliate, in case of a frontal attack by the enemy. This Math was not built for that purpose. I therefore want you to go back to Padachinna, and build a fortress for us. We will place cannons on the ramparts of the fortress to ward off attacks. For now you go back to your own house at Padachhina. By and by I will send you two thousand volunteers. Use them to construct the fortressramparts, moats, watch towers and all. Inside the fort construct a huge iron vault which will serve as our main coffers. Once the vault is ready we will transfer riches to you. Utilize these funds judiciously for all your construction and other expenses. Besides, I will send you skilled workmen from different places. You will utilize them to set up our ammunitions factory, where canons, guns and ammunitions will be manufactured. Do you get the idea? Mahendra agreed, excited inwardlythis was right up his alleyliterally! Chapter 7 Briefing over, Mahendra sought the blessings of Satyananda and departed. The other person who had taken diksha with Mahendra now entered Satyanandas room. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Satyananda got to the point. I hope you do have a lot of devotion for our Lord Krishna.

I am not very certain replied the person. What I think is faith or devotion, may actually be a sham, an eyewash. Who knows? Satyananda was impressed at the candidness. You are still very young, he said, try to develop a true understanding of the Lord. I bless youyou will succeed over time. By the way, by what name will I address you? Person: Call me by any name you like. Given your young age, I am inclined to call you Navinananda4. But will you not tell me what your actual name is? Rest assured that whatever you tell me, will not be divulged to anyone else Navin: My name is Shantiram Dev-sharma. Satya: No, I think your name is Shantimani Dev-il! Saying so, he suddenly got up and yanked away the false beard of the person sitting in front of him! Satya: Shame on youtrying to trick me. In any case young lady, your disguise was pretty amateurish. You may have tried to hide behind your false beard, but your voice and the tender look in your eyes were a dead giveaway. Did you think I could have embarked on such a big endeavor without this bit of power of observation? Shanti sat with eyes shut tight for a while. Her ears felt hot with embarrassment! Finally she gathered her wits and replied Sir! What crime have I committed? Do you think there is no strength in a womans arms? Do you ever test the strength of your disciples? Sayta: Yes I do. Saying so, he fetched a massive iron bow and a few strands of wire. I ask them to string this bow, he said. One has to bend the bow sufficiently, to enable the stringing activity. This requires immense strength. Besides, if one is not able to string the bow, the bow recoils violently and throws the person across the room, often causing grievous injury. Do you think you are up to the task? Shanty examined the bow carefully and asked Have all your disciples passed this test of yours? No, not all have passed, but I am able to get an idea of their strength anyway. Shanti: How many have passed so far? Satya: Only four have passed Shanti: can I ask their names? Satya: apart from me, Jibananda, Bhabananda and Gyanananda. Shanti lifted the bow, stringed it with considerable ease and placed it at the feet of Satyananda! Satyananda stood awed and shocked and unable to speak for a while. Finally he blurted out are you human or superhuman are you some kind of an illusion? Shanti stood in front of Satyananda with folded hands and said I am a mere mortal, but then I have been forced by circumstances to practice abstinence most of my life. Satya: and why is that? Were you widowed at a very young age? No, those that are widowed at a very age can not possess such strength, because they practice vegeteranianism.
4 Navin means young.

Shanti: I am not a widow. My husband is very much alive. Sayta: is your husband untraceable? Shanti: No, he is very much traceable in fact; I have come on his trail. Like the rays of the sun that suddenly penetrates through the clouds, Satyananda suddenly had a flash of insight. Oh! So you are the wife of Jibananda. Her name was Shanti I remember! Why did you come here to perpetuate sin said Satyananda. Where is the sin if a wife tries to find her husband? If your religion teaches you that then it is anti-religion. Duty mandates that as a wife, I am entitled to be his constant companion through thick and thin. He is committed to serving his religion. I have the right to be with him in his endeavor. Having heard her spirited defense and having seen her burning, though tearful eyes and her physical defiance, Satyananda dithered. He said You see, the companionship role that you are referring to only applies to the domestic situation. But your husband is now in a different role, where the concept of husband-wife does not apply. Shanti: Which great warrior in history had to renounce marriage to achieve greatness? What greatness would Lord Rama have achieved if Sita was not around? The great Arjuna excelled, in spite of his multiple wivesone loses count how many! Bhima, who possessed strength of demonic proportions, married wherever he went. The examples are countless. None of these greats had any need for celibacy. Besides, why should I have to tell you all thisyou know better. Satya: What you say is perhaps true, but tell me, which wife fought alongside her great warrior husband in the battlefield? Shanti: When Arjuna was fighting the Yadav forces at Kurukshetra, who do you think was riding his chariot? Had Draupadi not been around, do you think the pandavas would have engaged in war? Satya: maybe, but mere mortal get distracted in the presence of women and this is not desirable in war. This is precisely why we vow not to spend time alone with women. Jibananda is my right hand. Have you come to break my right hand? Shanti On the contrary, I have come to increase the strength of your right hand! I have been practicing abstinence. I have already vowed to continue doing so. I will not succumb to marriage pangs. If my husband has vowed to fight Gods war, I will do the same. Satya: OK, I will observe you for a few days. Shanti: Will I be allowed to stay at Ananda Math? Satya: Where else will you go tonight? Shanti: And then? Satya: Like the goddess Durga, you too have fire in your temple. I will not let you singe the others. Saying so, Satyananda left

Chapter 8 Having secured permission for overnight stay at the Ananda Math, Shanti accompanied a low-level functionary of the Math, who was showing her around the rooms. None of the rooms seemed to be of Shantis liking. Finally she asked, what about the rooms at the other end? Why did you not take me to those? Those are occupied by the top leaders of the Math, like Bhabananda, Jibananda, Gnanananda, Dheerananda and others, replied the functionary. On being asked to take a look, Shanti was taken to these rooms. The first of these rooms was occupied by Dheerananda. He was in his room, engrossed in reading one of the climactic chapters of the epic Mahabharata. He did not look up. The next room was that of Bhabananda. He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts recounting his earlier experience with Kalyani. He went through the episode, dwelling on the beauty of Kalyani, initially cold and still as if in death, then stirring gradually into life. Just as beautifully as the moon, initially faint behind a patch of translucent cloud, then gradually coming into view, dazzling everything around in its sublime glimmer. So enthralled was he in his fantasy that he failed to realize that another beautiful woman had just peeped into his room! The next room that she peered into was vacant. It was Jibanandas room. Apparently he had gone somewhere and would return shortly. Shanti insisted that she liked the room very much and would like to occupy it for the night, much to the consternation of her guide. Finally Shanti was able to shake him off by saying that she would find some other place for herself and did not need his chaperoning any more. She however had other plans. She quietly settled inside Jibanandas room, lit the lamp and waited, thumbing though one of his books. After a while Jibananda returned and immediately saw through Shantis flimsy disguise. What are you doing here! He exclaimed, totally taken by surprise. Shanti slowly looked up from the book she was pretending to read and replied, Who is Shanti here? What do you mean? Retorted Jibananda. I am Nabinananda Goswami, replied Shanti and went back to reading the book. What the hell is this latest drama of yours, asked Jibananda laughing out loud. Is this how one is supposed to address a strangerdo you not have the basic manners? Countered Shanti in mock consternation. Pray tell me your honor, what great misfortune has befallen thee, which necessitated your travel here to this humble above from the great village of Bhairabipur? asked Jibananda. I dont see the need for any dramaticsits very simple, I am a new member of your organization, having taken my diksha a while ago. I even stringed the bow, which is considered a herculean task, continued Shanti. Jiba: What a disaster! You mean you really did all that?

Shanti: What is so disastrous about me taking Dikshayou have also done the same, have you not? Jiba: Yes, but you are a woman Shanti: How are you so sure of that? Jiba: At least thats the impression I hadthat my wife was a woman! Shanti: Wife? Are you sure that you are married? And you are confident that I am your wife Jiba: yes, thats what I thought Shanti: If that is so, what then is your duty? Jiba: To pull you close to me and do what a long separated husband and wife normally would indulge in! Shanti: It appears that your over-drugged mind is working overtime! You seem to be forgetting a certain vow you had taken while entering these premises. According to the vow, the best you can do right now is to make alternate sleeping arrangements for me. In fact any further discussions are also undesirable. Saying so, Shanti went back to reading the book. Jibananda, realizing that he had lost the war or words with his wife, went about preparing a separate bed for Shanti.

PART 3
Chapter 1 By the time the year 1776 finally ended, famine had ended the lives of close of a third of the population of Bengal! In the next year the Gods finally smiled. The rains were widespread, the harvest was again plentiful. Those that had survived the ordeal had plenty to eat. Ironically, some were so diseased by the famine that their systems could not withstand the surfeit of food and this again led to some more deaths! While the countryside was blessed with abundance, the country itself presented a ghostly look. House after house lay deserted, providing refuge to none but stray animals. There were very few people left to harvest the crops and tend to the farms. Over the course of the next three years, the unkempt, overgrown fields began to take the shape of wild forests. Villages, which were once alive with the voices of men going about their business, women chatting and children laughing, were gradually converted to wilderness. Wild animals replaced people in the villages, moving around in of prey. Gradually, supply greatly overshot demand. There were sellers in the markets, but no buyers. Farmers produced, but their produce remained largely unsold. They were unable to pay tax to the landlords and the landlords in turn defaulted in their tax payment to the government. The government forfeited the lands of the landlords and turned them into paupers. The whole irony of the situation

was that in spite of the fact that the fertile lands of Bengal overproduced, the people at all levels continued to slide into poverty! This led to a situation of anarchy. Looters and dacoits began to roam unchecked, pillaging and killing at will. The common man cowered in misery within the confines of their homes. Amongst all this anarchy, the Santaans flourished. From their base at Ananda Math they carried out forays far and wide, confiscating arms and weapons from wherever they could. Bhabananda had instructed, If in a house you find, on one hand a sack full of gold and on the other hand a broken gun, get the gun first. Then, they sent out groups of informers to the villages, who enlisted the support of Hindu villagers to attack, burn and loot Muslim houses. The Muslim villagers fled their houses and the spoils were shared by the Santaan ring-leaders with the accompanying Hindu villagers, thus winning them over and bringing a lot of them within the Ananda Math fold. A huge swell of sympathy gradually began to develop at the grassroots-level for the Santaans, fed by a general antipathy towards the gross mismanagement and chaos perpetuated by the Nawab of Bengals lax and insensitive government. Hundreds and then thousands of villagers began to visit the Math and dedicate their lives to the cause. The Santaans multiplied exponentially and fanned out into the countryside, beating and killing government officials and looting government revenues and property. Wherever they came across Muslim settlements, they created havoc, burning, breaking, plundering and killing. The government retaliated, sending soldiers to quell the carnage, but these forces proved grossly inadequate in the face of the disciplined and armed Santaan forces which moved in waves, chanting the Lords name as their war cry. About this time, although the local administration was in the hands of a series of ineffectual Bengal Nawabs, the British East India Company was getting itself entrenched in India and beginning to flex its muscles. The Governor General, Warren Hastings, was beginning to harbor pan-Indian ambitions from his headquarters in Calcutta. The mutiny fanning across Bengal naturally caught his attention. Initially he relied on the Nawabs government forces, but by that time these had become so demoralized and terrified that even a group of old women chanting the war cry would send them scampering for cover with their tails between their legs! He therefore deputed Captain Thomas, with a platoon of the East India Companys own soldiers to tackle the mutiny. Captain Thomas joined forces with the local soldiers already on the ground and created a comprehensive well disciplined force, with units under the command of capable commanders. He then sent these units to the various districts with instructions to haul up the mutineers like a net hauls up a fish from the pond. However, Captain Thomas had underestimated the strength and the discipline of the opponent. Like a sharp sickle that effortlessly cuts through

the swath, the Santaans began to decimate Capt. Thomas men with chants of the Lords name reverberating in the skies.

Chapter 2 The East India Co. had established a number of silk mills as part of its business activities. These mills produced silk that was transported to England. The mill premises were well protected areas, under the supervision of a senior Company manager. Mr. Donyworth was one such Manager who was able to keep the raging mutineers at bay by virtue of the high level of security at the mill premises at a village called Shibagram. However, he had been compelled to keep his family at Calcutta and he himself was under constant threat from the mutineers. Capt. Thomas, along with two of his units was camping in the vicinity of the Donyworth mill. He was moving with a well equipped kitchen, comprising of the choicest of meats, chicken, rice and all other forms of food products. A few local men, mostly low-cast scavengers, emboldened by the exploits of the Santaans, and not being able to curb their craving for the delicious food, attacked Capt. Thomass kitchen van. However, they were soon overpowered by the soldiers and driven back. A miserable few were captured. This prompted Capt. Thomas to send a Mission Accomplished report back to head quarters. In his exaggerated report he claimed that the Company forces had won a major battle with the mutineers. With 157 soldiers he was able to defeat the enemy comprising of 14,700 mutineers, of whom 2153 were killed, 1233 were injured and 7 were taken captive (this last bit of statistic was however correct!). Having sent the victory report, he felt extremely elated and began swaggering about the place as if he had won the Battle of Blenheim5. He boasted to Donyworth that the enemy had been defeated and advised him to bring back his family forthwith. Donyworth advised caution and asked the captain to observe events for a period of ten days or so before hoisting the all clear flag. Anyway, the two gentlemen of the Company fell with full gusto upon the well stocked bar and kitchen at the Donyworth mills. Capt. Thomas made him self at home inside the mill for the time being! Meanwhile Bhabananda, the leader of the Santaans in the absence of Satyananda, fumed at the latest events. He wondered when he would succeed in slitting the throat of this Capt. Thomas. The fact that the British had come as a blessing in disguise for Bengal of that time, was still not appreciated by the common people, including the leaders of Ananda Math. In
5 The Battle of Blenheim (referred to in some countries as the Second Battle of Hchstdt), fought on 13 August 1704, was a major battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. - Wikipedia

fact, even Capt. Thomas and his British colleagues had no inkling then, of what the future had in store. Only the all knowing Almighty may have smiled knowingly! Anyway, Bhabananda was determined to uproot this latest thorn from the fabric of the country at an opportune moment. For the time being he decided to adopt a wait and watch policy. Those days, hunting trips were the passion of the aristrocrat, indigenous or British. Capt. Thomas and Donyworth organized one such trip on horseback. This forest, near Shibagram was home to wild animals including tigers, bears and bison. The hunting expedition entered deep into the forest. At one point, the accompanying locals refused to proceed any further. Donyworth was also once bitten (by a tiger) and therefore twice shy. Only Capt. Thomas, who considered himself the epitome of British valor, decided to push ahead, alone. After a while, the forest trail reached its end. The horse therefore could not proceed any further. Capt. Thomas continued on foot, with gun in hand. The much anticipated tiger did not materialize. But hey! What did he see ahead of him? In a small clearing under a huge tree sat a sanyasin, lighting up the surrounding forest with his illuminating presence! Capt. Thomas was at first bewildered. Then bewilderment transformed into anger. He knew a smattering of the local language. Who you he said in a heavily accented tone. I am a sanyasin, came the reply. No, you are a rebel thundered Capt. Thomas. Whats that? asked the sanyasin, not comprehending the meaning of the word rebel. I will shoot you down threatened Capt. Thomas. OK shoot me countered the sanyasin. Capt. Thomas hesitated, wondering what his next step should be. Like a flash of lightening, the sanyasin fell upon the Captain and disarmed him. The sanyasin then cast off his robe and a wig to reveal herself as a truly beautiful young woman! Sahib, said the woman, I am a lady, I will not hurt you. But tell me, in this battle between Hindus and Muslims why are you getting involved? Why dont you just go home and leave us to face our destiny? Capt: Who you? Shanti: As you can well see, I am a sanyasin. I am the wife of one of those that are fighting you. Capt: Will you accompany me to my house? Shanti: As your mistress? Capt: You can live like my wife, without actually getting married Shanti: What about this proposal from my side? We had a pet monkey at home which escaped. The cage now lies empty. How would you like occupying that cage? Our garden provides an abundance of bananas Capt: You are a very spirited lady. I like that. Lets go back to my house. Your husband will anyway die fighting us. Then who will take care of you? Shanti: lets have a deal. If you win the war, and I am still alive, I will be your mistress. In case, we win the war and you are still alive, you will promise to occupy our empty cage. Hows that?

Saying so, Shanti flung the gun back at Capt. Thomas and disappeared into the forest laughing. Chapter 3 After a while, deep from within the forest the Captain heard a female voice singing.. At the deepest part of the forest, hidden amongst the creepers, stood a small log cabin. After her interactions with the Captain, Shanti approached the hut and entered it, having to remove the dense foliage that provided the camouflage. Inside, sat Jibananda, playing on a stringed instrument. So, the tide has finally energized the creek, he said. Well, drains are never fortunate enough to receive tide water, replied Shanti, smiling. Jiba: Look, the way I am breaking my vows you know the outcome. Since I had promised you, I have refrained from doing anything drastic so far. But as you see, a major war is imminent, and I intend to commit the ultimate sacrifice, to pay for my sins Shanti: You have subjected yourself to very severe vows, in order to fulfill your mission. But the way I see it, you really have broken no vows. You have not let down your guard or lost focus, even though you did meet me a few times here and there. Why do you talk of sacrifice? Yes, by all means go to war. Fight to your hearts content, with courage and valor. Achieve you mission and if in that process you die, it will be a heros death. I am and will be happy for you. Maybe we will not have enjoyed married life in this world but so what, we will compensate for it in the next world. You are a learned man; I am just your follower, not teacher Jibanandas heart swelled up with emotions. But you did teach me a lot he said. Shanti continued And to speak of happiness, we are not exactly miserable even in this world. We love each other. What more can we really ask for? Vande Mataram! chanted Shanti feeling elated. Vande Mataram, chorused Jibananda. Chapter 4 Bhabananda visited the city. He branched off from the main street into the labyrinth of narrow by-lanes. With building on both sides, the alleys remained dark, the suns rays penetrating only through gaps between buildings. He entered one such building. A mid-aged woman sat at the ground floor kitchen, busy cooking. The lady was plumpish, dark, with her hair accumulated and peaked on her head. She was noisily engaged in her culinary endeavors, talking aloud to herself when Bhabananda accosted her with greetings.

The sudden arrival of Bhabananda caught this widowed woman called Gauri off-guard and she struggled to make herself somewhat presentable by trying to adjust her sari and hair. Finally, not succeeding much, she gave up her attempts and faced Bhabananda feeling embarrassed. Bhabananda sensed her discomfiture and deciding to lighten up matters a bit, complimented her on her appearance and promised to look for a suitable match for her amongst the Math inmates. Finally he asked, How is she? Gauri, a bit disappointed that the banter ended so soon, replied, Well, as usual. Can you please go up and inform her that I am here? Gauri let go of her cooking implements and labored up the stairs. In one of the upper rooms, on a seedy carpet, sat an exceptionally beautiful lady. The beauty however, was seemed tempered by a shadow of gloom. It was as if a vast, fast-flowing river, sparkling in the glorious afternoon sun was suddenly darkened by the shadows of a thick mass of cloud that moved in from nowhere. Everything remained the same, but somehow the shadows and the accompanying nervous gusts of breeze had changed the tone of the entire landscape. Jibananda entered the room on being asked to do so by Gauri. I hope you are in good health, Kalyani, he said addressing the lady. Kal: You keep on asking me this question every time. But how does my being well affect you or me for that matter? Bhaba: The one who plants a sapling, waters it regularly and enjoys seeing it grow. After nursing you back to life from the dead, my constant desire is to know how well you are pulling along. Kal: But poison plants.the more they propagate, the more poison they generate. Bhaba: But is life poison? Kal: Mine is. Else, why do you think I was trying to end it? Bhaba: Yes, I have wanted to ask you that same question for a long time what made your life so poisonous? Kal: No one tried to make it poisonous. Life itself is poisonous, mine, yours, everyones. Bhaba: True, my life was also poisonous, till the day I met..oh! By the way, hows your grammar progressing? Kal: Not progressing at all Bhaba: And what about learning the words? Kal: I dont like the dictionary. Bhaba: You were displaying some interest in education. Why this sudden apathy? Kal: When learned men like you can be sinners, may be it is better to remain ignorant and commit sins. By the way, hows my husband? Bhaba: Why do you keeping on asking that? As far as you are concerned, he exists no more Kal: I am dead as far he is concerned, not the other way around. Besides, relationships are not severed just by death. Bhaba: He is doing well, if you must know.

Kal: Where is he? At Padachinna? Bhaba: Yes Kal: And what is he up to? Bhaba: Doing what he was doing earlierbuilding our fort and weapons. It is his weapons that equip the thousands of santaans. It is due to his efforts that we do not have any shortage of guns, canons and ammunitions today. He is playing a heroic role. He is like our right hand. Kal: If I had not died, could he have achieved all this. Can anyone excel, with a dead albatross across his neck? Can one, who is shackled, run? Why on earth was he leading such a life, burdened with domestication? Bhaba: The wife is a source of support and strength Kal: that may be for trivial activities. But for major endeavors, the wife becomes more of a hindrance. I was right in trying to free him of his albatross. Why on earth did you have to save me and extend my misery? And can you tell me how is my dear daughter Sukumari? Bhaba: Jibananda has not visited her in quite a while. I will therefore not be able to tell you the latest. Kal: Since I will now have to live after all, why should I not live with my daughter and fill my life with some happiness? Bhaba I will try my best to unite you with your daughter. But what about your husband? Kal: I have knowingly let go of him. He has lofty missions to accomplishI do not want to interrupt him. Bhaba: but what after he had accomplished his mission? Kal: If and when that happens, I will gladly go back to him. Does he know I am alive? You have been meeting him quite oftenisnt it? Bhaba: Yes, but I have not ventured to tell him that you are alive and kicking. Will you marry againnow that you have been reborn? Kal: I want my daughter. Bhaba: Okbut you did not answer my question Kal: Marry whom? You? Bhaba: What do you say to that? Kal: And what will happen to your vows, your great name and reputation? Bhaba: I am willing to sink all that Kal: Why will you let go of all that you have achievedfor what? Bhaba: For you. From the day I met you and was able to breathe life into your limp body, I have been completely overwhelmed by you, your beauty. Had I known such beauty existed, I would have never accepted a life of sacrifice! Since I met you, I have mentally consigned my vows to ashes, now my body seems also to be on fire. For four long years, since I first met you, I have suffered, but not any more.will you marry me? Kal: You have told me often that breaking your vows is punishable by death. Is that true? Bhaba: yes, that is correct Kal: So if I agree to your proposal, you die? Bhaba: yes, I have to

Kal: And if I do not agree to your proposal? Bhaba: I die all the same. Even my present activities amount to breaking of the vows. Kal: I can not agree to your proposalwhen will you die? Bhaba: in the forthcoming battles Kal: And when will you bring my daughter? Bhaba: Yes, I will arrange thatbut will you reciprocate my sentiments after I am dead? Kal: The only sentiments that I will then have for you is that of a person who is a vow-breaker in ways more than one! Bhabananda departed as Kalyani immersed herself in the book which had remained open, but unread in front of her for quite a while.

Chapter 5 Bhabananda proceeded towards the Math, in a pensive mood. Darkness fell as he entered the forest. Someone else was ahead of him, he felt. Bhabananda shouted Who are you ahead? The man ahead replied maybe just a traveler. If you want a more specific reply, you have to ask a more specific question. Vande said Bhabananda. Mataram completed the stranger. Bhaba: I am Bhabananda Man Ahead: This is Dheerananda. Bhaba: Where had you been? Dheera: In search of you. Bhaba: But why? Dheera: To tell you something Bhaba: What? Dheera: Youve been to the house of Gauri in the city, where there is that very beautiful lady? But why are you asking me all this? Bhabananda countered, feeling surprised as well as apprehensive. And you met this lady, with whom you are apparently having an affair, challenged Dheerananda. Bhabananda thought in silence for a while. Finally he said What you say is all true. But, why did you try to spy on me? Who else, apart from you knows all this? Dheera: no one. Bhaba: So if I kill you right now, I am saferight? Dheera: Thats right. Bhaba: then let us not waste time. Let us fight a duel in this deserted place. Either I kill you and keep my dark secrets intact, or you kill me and hand me my rightful punishment. Are you armed? Dheera; You bet I amelse who has the courage to talk to you like this. If a duel is what you will insist onso be it. Though we are forbidden by our vows to fight amongst ourselves, everyone I guess has the right to resist in self

defense. But then, will it not be sensible to start the fight after I tell you everything that I set out to tell? Bhaba: No harm in that, tell me. Saying so, Bhabananda unsheathed his sword and rested it on Dheeranandas neck, to preempt him from running away. Dheera: What I was meaning to suggest is that you must marry Kalyani.. Bhaba: Oh! So you even know her name? Dheera: Why dont you marry her? Bhaba: But she already has a husbandyou know that Dheera: Polyandry is not unheard of. Bhaba: Not amongst us ...we are not allowed to marry, you know that Dheera: Is religion above human sentiments? Look at you...you are dying from withinhey! Will you remove that sword of yours from my neck? You are hurting me! Bhaba: What motivates you to give me such ludicrous advice? Wheres the catch? Dheera: YesI am coming to that. But please, will you remove that sword first. I am also in the same boat! I am tired of life like thisI too want a life of happiness with my family. I am also planning to desert the santaans. But the problem is that if I quit and go back home, either the government will kill me as a mutineer or the santaans will kill me as a traitor. And thats why I am trying to drag you to my side. Bhaba: Why me? Dheera: Now I am coming to the crux of the matter. You are a fearless and influential senior member of the group. In the absence of Satyananda, you are the undisputed leader. I am sure, if you lead the santaans to war now, you will win a convincing victory. Why dont you then establish yourself as the king with Kalyani as your queen and rule over the lands with your loyal army? I will be one of your confidantes and enjoy my share of married bliss. Bhabananda now finally removed his sword from Dheeranandas neck. Then he said slowly Dheeranandaprepare for the duel. I may be a vow-breaker through love, but I will not agree to any act of treachery. You are conniving with me to commit an act of treason.you deserve to die. Even before Bhabananda had completed his sentence, Dheerananda had fled. Bhabananda did not give chase. He dithered for a while, allowing Dheerananda to escape into the dark forest. Chapter 6 Instead of going to the Math, Bhabananda entered the deepest part of the forest towards the ruins of a large mansion. This structure was now almost completely engulfed in dense foliage and almost invisible from a distance. Most of the rooms of the mansion were in a state of total destruction, serving as a den for snakes and other wild creatures. Only a portion was still in one

piece, with a semblance of maintenance and orderliness. This is where Bhabananda sat down to think. The night was dark and the intensity of the forest seemed impregnable and overpowering. From time to time nocturnal birds flapped their wings, making a sudden shattering noise. At times, the silence was also being disturbed by preying animals and their prey, scampering through the foliagethe sounds of hunting and the hunted. In the midst of all this sat Bhabananda, himself a fugitive to his own thoughts. The future will take its own course, he thought with sadness. I let myself be swept off my feet by the swift currents of passion. An owl screeched somewhere nearby. Impending death beacons me he shouted out, feeling terrified. O Lord! Let me not veer from your path. Show me the direction he continued, still speaking loudly as if the stillness of the forest would carry his plea to the silent almighty residing somewhere above. A voice, calm and dignified, replied through the stillnessYou will not veer from the path, I bless you! Bhabananda felt a shiver down his spine! Who was that? Where did that voice come from? He responded. The voice did not reply any more. Bhabananda looked around as best as he could. No one was around. When finally the night ended and black changed to gray and finally to various shades of green, Bhabananda trudged back to the Math. He could hear a familiar voice chanting the Lords name inside. He recognized the voice. Satyananda was back from pilgrimage. Chapter 7 Let us now rewind a bit in time, when after her encounter with Capt. Thomas, Shanti met Jibananda in the forest hut and they had a rather inspiring discussion. Having concluded their dialogue with Vande Mataram, Jibananda left the small hut and entered the deep forest. Shanti, now alone, picked up the stringed instrument that Jibananda was playing earlier and began playing and singing a melodious and rhythmic tune, that wafted and echoed through the dark, still forest. A male voice, deep and resonating, joined in, singing in chorus. Shanti looked up. It was Satyananda! She touched his feet and took his blessings. How fortunate I am, to have met you like this, she cried out. What orders do you have for me? You will prosper and do well, said Satyananda. Shanti: Hows that possible, when I have been cursed to a life of widowhood?

Chapter 8 The news of Satyanandas return spread far and wide. The grape vine also reported that he was planning to address a massive rally. Hordes of active and passive Santaans began to assemble. As night fell, the moonlight revealed the contours of more than ten thousand Santaans milling around restlessly by the river side at the edge of the forest. The mission of Satyanandas pilgrimage over the last few years was not known to them and so there was a sense of expectation. Rumor had it that Satyananda had receded to the Himalayas to seek divine blessings. Now that he was back, people expected him to have the answers to their sufferingsmany expected him to articulate his plan for the take over of the reins of power. The more they waited, the more they fantasized. Some exclaimed, The time has come to raze down all the mosques and build temples instead. Some others shouted, Death to the Muslims. Maybe the time has come for us to enjoy what we earnand not give most of it away in taxes, remarked yet others. Most however were so overwhelmed with a sense of anticipation that they could only sing out Vande Mataram! The forest trees swaying gently in the evening breeze, the rippling river, the moon and the stars in the dark, silent skies above, bore witness to this scene that unfolded. Very soon, Satyananda came and stood amongst the crowd. Like ten thousand forest trees felled in one stroke, the ten thousand men prostrated on the forest floor, to seek his blessings. May the great Lord Krishna, bless you, give you strength in your arms, fervor in your minds and conviction in your beliefs. Sing out loud, one more time in praise of the Lord! The collective voice of ten thousand reverberated through the forest, singing the Lords song. Satyananda blessed them once again and then began, I have a special message for you today. A heinous infidel, by the name of Thomas, has murdered a lot of our people. Tonight, by Gods Will, we will kill him, along with his soldiers. What do you say to that? A huge cacophony pierced the forest once again. Right away! Where are the scoundrels? Lead the way etc. etc. came the reply. We need to exercise caution reasoned Satyananda, the enemy is well armed with guns and canons. We cant fight them without our own canons. Besides, they are great warriors. Our own seventeen canons are on the way from our Padachinna fort. We will attack once these arrive. Its almost dawn now... Suddenly, even before Satyananda could complete his sentence, the noise of canon shots blasted through the forestsonly these were not the arriving canons from Padachinna, these were the canons of the British forces, now firing from close range at the surrounded santaans !

Chapter 9 The British canons kept on firing. The sound echoed through the vast forest like a series of rolling thunders. Take a closer look to see where this is coming from, instructed Satyananda. A few took the lead and rode on horseback towards the canons. But very soon a fresh volley of cannon balls tore them apart and they lay dying along with their horses. Climb up on a tall tree and see whats up, instructed Satyananda. Even before he had uttered these instructions, Jibananda was up on a tree. British cannons, confirmed Jibananda. Accompanied by both cavalry and infantry forces, he added. How many of them? Asked Satyananda. Not able to ascertainthey are partially hidden from view by the forest, replied Jibananda. Are there white soldiers or only the locals? asked Satyananda. There are whites, replied Jibananda. When Jibananda had climbed down, Satyananda spoke again There are ten thousand men in our ranks. You are the commander of our forces. See what you can do. Jibananda mounted his horse and signaled something to Nabinananda (we also know her as Shanti). Nabinananda signaled back. What this communication between the two signified, no one else could decipher. Perhaps they signaled their final goodbyes to each other? Nabinananda now addressed the crowd and said Friends, let us singvictory to the Lord! The ten thousand voices sang in unison, drowning the noise from the cannon fire. The singing perhaps enabled the British forces to locate their target more accurately. Cannon fire now began to rain on them in a more concentrated manner. The song died on the dead lips of some of the Santaans who took direct hits. After a while there was silence. The cannons paused. A deadly eerie silence finally prevailed after the brief mayhem. Satyananda broke the silence after a while. How far are our cannons? he shouted out. Almost hereonly a field to cross, replied a voice from a treetop lookout post. The voice was that of Nabinananda. Satyananda: We will be ready once our cannons are here! I order you to fall mercilessly upon the enemy and decapitate them. Capture their firepower. By the Will of the Lord, victory will be yours! Jibananda, at the head of the formation, signaled them to charge. The charging forces were again greeted with cannon volleys from the British forces, causing a fresh round of casualties. A voice from behind yelled at Jibananda, What is the point in depleting our forces like this? What do you suggest? Shot back Jibananda. The voice was that of Bhabananda. He now suggested, Let us all take cover in the forest, to prolong the battle. By

exposing ourselves in the open fields, we are like fodder to enemy cannon balls. Jiba: You are right. But then Satyananda has ordered us to fall upon the enemy and capture their cannons. How do we achieve that? Bhaba: Thats like an impossible mission to me. But if you insist that it has to be done, then leave it to me. Let me lead a team into this mission impossible. Jiba: No way, Its my day to dieI will lead the suicide mission Bhaba: No, its my day of reckoningmy day of ultimate sacrifice for vows that I have broken. Let me handle this,. You take cover, to fight another battle Jiba: Bhabananda, I do not know what vows you have broken. But what I know is that you are a more mature and astute commander in war. Your preservation is critical and can spell the difference between victory and defeat. Let me therefore handle this immediate dangerous mission. Bhaba: The need for the ultimate sacrifice is here, right now. Why should I wait for another day? Jiba: Ok, if thats how you see it, come and lead us! Chapter 10 Bhabananda took the lead. Thousands followed. The cannons pounded them. Under cover from the artillery, the foot soldiers of the British forces, used their marksmanship to great effect, began taking down the Santaans with merciless accuracy. Bhabananda challenged his men, This is like jumping into a treacherous river and swimmingwho is with me? Let us all sing Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram, they all shouted back and charged headlong into the volley of cannon shots and the rain of sniper bullets. In spite of having their ranks broken and being grievously injured, they managed to reach the enemy lines with spears and swords raised, in a frenzied state. Capt. Thomas now opened up another flank in the attack through the right. Soldiers with bayonets raised plowed into the Santaans, leading to utter chaos within their ranks. They had by now lost all sense of direction and purpose. Jiba: Bhabananda, you were right. The casualties are too heavy. Let us withdraw. Bhaba: Its too late now. There is no turning back. Jiba: We are being attacked from the front and right. The left flank is comparatively free. Let us escape through the left. Bhaba: the left is where the river flows, now swollen due to the monsoon rains. You want our men to escape the British, only to be swallowed by the river? Jiba: There is a bridge across the river if I remember correctly. We can cross over.

Bhaba: Ten thousand men trying to cross that frail bridge? One cannon shot will blow it to pieces. Jiba: You have shown great courage in this battle. You keep a part of the forces and withstand the frontal attack. Most will die, for sure. But keep the enemy occupied. Meanwhile, I will lead the others to safety across the bridge. Bhaba agreed. He retained about two thousand men and fell with renewed vigor upon the British forces. But this depleted attack stood no chance. Very soon they were mowed down by canon and gun power. Meanwhile Jibananda changed the direction of the remaining men and took the escape route. However, a lieutenant in the British forces, by name Watson, observed this maneuver. Leading a unit of British forces and one unit of the local government forces, Watson gave chase to Jibananda and his fleeing men. Capt. Thomas also observed this latest change. He retained about two hundred soldiers with him to meet the frontal challenge against Bhabanandas men and directed an associate, Capt. Hay to lead the remaining forces as reinforcement to Lt. Watson. Thomas instructed Hay to ensure that the bridge was taken before the fleeing men of Jibananda could cross it to safety. Be careful, cautioned Thomas, these local men are very adept at fleeing. Get to the bridge before they dothat is why I am giving you most of our men. They should not escape at any cost. Contempt often leads to fall. Capt. Thomass contempt for the fighting qualities of the local enemy prompted him to divert most of his men with Lt. Watson and Capt. Hay, to deal with the fleeing powers of Jibanandas men. Realizing that most of the firepower and men of the British force was now in pursuit of Jibananda, Bhabananda sensed blood. He knew he and his remaining men now stood a good chance to match the depleted enemy. Regrouping themselves and sensing a possible victory, the men fell upon Capt. Thomas and his skeletal force with such ferocity that those who witnessed it shuddered to even think about it later. Thomass men were slain. Bhabananda got hold of Thomas. Captain, I am not going to kill you, said Bhabananda. You are not our enemy. But why are you fighting this war on behalf of the Muslim forces? May the English succeed and do well. You have our sympathies. But for now, you are our captive. Capt. Thomas, made one last attempt to free his revolver to attack Bhabananda, but was overpowered and tied up to a horse. Bhabananda and his men now proceeded towards where the action now had shiftedJibananda and his men versus Capt. Hay et.al. Jibananda meanwhile was having a tough time keeping his flock together. Many panicked and broke away, hiding themselves in the forest. Jibananda and Dheerananda shepherded the rest and kept them motivated with pep talks and guided them towards the bridge. However, Hay and Watson lay siege to the bridge. Time was running out for Jibananda and his men.

Chapter 11 While Jibananda and Dheerananda were having a tough time controlling his men, a loud voice was heard from afar, Proceed toward the bridge and cross it. Face the enemy and proceed. It was the voice of Bhabananda. Crossing the bridge was however easier said than done. The British cannons started booming, starting a fresh wave of killing. Bhabananda, Jibananda and Dheerananda were together. Along with a group of Santaans they were somehow able to capture one of the British cannons, after overpowering the soldiers manning it. This seemed a great achievement. Bhabananda stood atop the cannon and redirected it towards the British forces. While this cannon and a group of fierce combatants kept the British at bay, the rest of the Santaans, under the leadership of Jibananda and Dheerananda proceeded to the bridge and began crossing it. Much like the continuous stream of water that flowed unendingly beneath the bridge, the British forces were seemingly endless. Wave after wave replaced those that were gunned down by Bhabananda and his men, who were now at their wits end. Bhabananda fought gallantly and fearlessly, warding off wave after wave of the enemy forces, preventing them from entering the bridge. Most of the retreating Santaans meanwhile has already crossed over. It was a matter of holding on for only a short while! While both sides were thus engaged in this battle of attrition, a fresh volley of cannon balls suddenly joined the fray from a new direction! Both armies, perplexed by this latest development, paused to allow this new deevlopment to sink in. This third dimension soon came into open view, firing away its canons at the British battalions led by Capt. Hay. Mahendras seventeen cannons had finally arrived and made all the difference in what was till then a battle tilted in favor of the British forces. The locals within the British ranksmostly Muslims, a few Hindus and others, gave up and vanished into the forest, having no more stomach for this latest offensive. This left, just a few whites as the proverbial fodder for the cannons. Bhabananda witnessed all this drama with considerable pleasure. He now decided to attack the fleeing locals. By now, the bulk of the Santaans who had crossed over to safety across the bridge started coming back in hordes and upon instigation from Bhabananda, fell upon the hapless fleeing locals like a tsunami. Meanwhile Capt. Thomas, Capt. Hay and their band of loyalists, faced on one side by Bhabanandas infantry and on the other by Mahendras mayhem were truly done in. Strength, spunk, courage, strategy, training, pridenothing worked. It was a bloodbath that eliminated whites, browns, Muslims, Hindusand all else that fought under the British banner that day. Led by Jibananda, Bhabananda and Dheerananda, the Santaans killed and chased the enemy across the forest. Foreseeing imminent doom, Capt. Hay and Watson send word to Bhabananda that they wished to

surrender. Bhabananda and Jibananda stared at each other, never having experienced such a situation before. Bhabananda was against truce. He wanted to take the battle to its logical conclusionand die in the process. Jibananda sensed this mood and shouted out to the troops to continue with the battleand not to show any mercy. In the end, all that remained of the British forces were a handful of white soldiers with their back to the wall. Jibananda did not have the heart to kill them. Bhabananda however was relentless. Not one of them will remain alive as long as I am alive, he thundered. Keep out of this, Jibananda, if you do not have the stomach for it. Capt. Thomas, on horseback stood directly in front of Bhabananda. I will finish him first, before I die, said Bhabananda. Capt. Thomas realizing death was imminent, addressed his men. In the name of God, keep the honor of our country. Kill me first, and then kill these rebels he said. A shot hit Capt. Thomas and felled him. An Irish soldier had obeyed his captains command and shot him on the forehead. He lay dead. Bhabananda, frustrated and angered by his inability to complete the task, fell upon the rest of the soldiers. His intent clearly was to kill and get killed. Jibananda, Dheerananda and some of the others joined him. Let me finish the job, shouted Bhabananda. We also have vowed to die, countered Dheerananda. Then how will you enjoy life with wife and childrentaunted Bhabananda, remembering their earlier conversation in the forest. Do you think I would have dared to tell you all that on my own? I was sent there as a spy, on the instructions of Satyananda, replied Dheerananda. You mean our leader lost his trust in me? asked Bhabananda, visibly perturbed. He momentarily lost his concentration. A bullet, desperately fired by one of the British soldiers struck him on his right arm. Dheerananda continued with his dialog, at the same time covering his injured colleague. Satyananda has himself heard your conversation with Kalyani, he said. He was reading out the Bhagvad Geeta to Kalyani, just as you entered Gauris mansion. He hid himself to listen to all that you said. Be careful. Bhabananda lost all concentration. A bullet now struck him on his left hand. I am about to die said Bhabananda, grievously injured. Tell Satyananda about my death. Tell him that I am not a deserter, nor a betrayer. That I did make the ultimate sacrifice as per my vows. Tears welled up in his eyes as Dheerananda continued fighting. He knows you are not a betrayer. He knows that you will fight till the end. He knows you will die today. His blessings are with you. The Gods will reward you in heaven. Bhabananda: Let the Santaans be victorious in this war. Dheerananda, please sing the Vande Mataram as I die. Dheerananda sang Vande Mataram. Hundreds of voices joined in. In that frenzy, all the remaining

British soldiers were killed. Bhabananda also breathed his last, with Vande Mataram on his lips and thoughts of the Lord in his mind. Chapter 12 After this resounding victory, on the banks of the river Ajoy, the victorious gathered around Satyananda in joyous celebrations. Only Satyananda was far from joyful. He deeply mourned the death of Bhabananda. The decibel levels at the celebration increased as more and more celebrants joined in, with noise-making implements of all sorts. Finally, Satyananda called the gathering to attention. The Lord has showered his abundant blessing on us, he said. But those who are not with us today in these celebrations, those that laid down their lives, to make these celebrations possible, must not be forgotten. Let us go and perform the last rites of those that lie dead on the battlefield. Specially, the one person who above all engineered this victory, who now lies slain, Bhabananda, let us give him a befitting last salute. The crowd moved in a mass towards the battlefield, chanting Vande Mataram. They created a sandalwood pyre for Bhabananda and carried out his cremation, in a somber, reverential mood, chanting vedic hymns and above all Vande Mataram. Finally, when the last rites had been performed and the crowd dispersed, only five people remained in the forest. They were Satyananda, Jibananda, Mahendra, Dheerananda and Nabinananda. Satyananda: Our sacrifices have finally been validated. The enemy has been virtually wiped out from our province. What do you now suggest we do? Jibananda: Let us now attack and capture the Capital. Satyananda: I too have similar thoughts Dheerananda: But do we have sufficient forces? Jibananda: Why? What about our existing forces? Dheera: Where? Do you see anyone around? Jiba: They are all around usin small groups, now taking rest. A call to war will re-energize all of them. Dheera: Tryyou will not get even one of them. Jiba: Why do you say that? Dheera: They are all taking advantage of lawlessness. Anarchy now prevails after the decimation of the local administration and its forces. Our so called soldiers are out on a looting and plundering spree. The Muslim villages and the silk mill premises are special targets. I have already made preliminary enquiries to ascertain this.

Satya (a bit disappointed with Dheeranandas feedback): In any case, this province at least is now ours. No one here dare challenge our power. So let us establish our own administration here. Start collecting taxes from the people and go about strengthening and enhancing our armed forces. A Hindu administration will be supported by most of the citizen of this province and bring them to the Santaans fold. Jibananda and others touched the feet of Satyananda. You are our king now! He said. Let us not waste time. Let us complete your coronation right here and right now. Satyananda: I am a sanyasin, not a king. Let us not mix up roles. My abode is the Ananda Math, not the palace. Our job now is to help establish efficient administrations in every village and town in our province. Find capable people who can provide leadership. The meeting ended on this note and all of them began to part. Satyananda however, stayed back and discreetly signaled to Mahendra to stay back as well. When the others were out of earshot, he addressed Mahendra: All of you had taken vows of renunciation. Both Jibananda and Bhabananda have broken their vows. Bhabananda has already paid for the broken vow today. I am afraid, Jibananda may soon follow suit, though something tells me that his end will not come very soon. You however, have not broken any vows so far. As per the vows, you are free once we have achieved our mission. That we have achieved today. You are thus free to go back to your family and material life. Mahendra could not hold back his tears. Who or what do I go back to? My wife committed suicide. My daughter, you tell me is alive, but I dont have a clue where to find her. Satyananda then introduced Mahendra to Nabinananda. This is Nabinananda, my most trusted follower. She knows where to find your daughter. Satyananda then took Shanti aside and gave her instructions. Shanti asked Mahendra to follow her. When all had finally left, Satyananda sat down in deep and prolonged meditation. The night was almost over, when someone touched Satyananda on his forehead and said I have come. Satyananda, taken aback by this sudden intrusion looked up and said You have comebut why? The newcomer said Your time is up. We have to go. Satyananda pleaded Oh Lord! Excuse me today please give me some more time, a few months, till the auspicious Maghi Purnima6. I will definitely follow your instructions.

6 The full moon day in the month of Magh of the Bengali calendar.

PART 4
Chapter 1 As Dheerananda had rightly predicted, the scene all over the province was one of chaos. The Santaans and their supporters lost their mind and embarked upon a mindless frenzy of anarchic behavior. With cries of Vande Mataram and Hail the Lord they started fanning out to the villages and towns. Some began looting sweetmeat shops and dairies. Others shouted out We are already in heaven where are the angels? The word spread like wildfire. The Muslins are no more ruling the land. We are now a Hindu empire. In the villages, the Muslims bore the brunt of this onslaught. Groups of frenzied youth set fire to Muslim homes everywhere, killing and plundering. Muslims cowered in corners, some even going to the extent of shaving off their beard and dressing up as Hindus. Faced with this mayhem, large numbers of Muslims began to desert the villages in search of relative safety in the bigger towns. In the Capital, the ruling forces began to fortify themselves. They alerted all soldiers, took up positions at vantage points and sealed all the entry points. The tension between the Muslims and the Hindus reached flashpoint. The Hindus, sensing an upper hand, resolved to fight on in the name of the Lord. The Muslims, rallied behind their call of Allah-ho-Akbar and wondered why in spite of their piousness and praying five times a day, no one was protecting them. The tensions were very palpable. Like everyone else, Kalyani also got this latest news. Glory to God she thought. Gods mission has been accomplished. Now I will go in search of my husband. Give me the strength, O Lord! In the middle of the night she escaped from the mansion of Gauri into the open street with a constant prayer on her lips God, please let me find my husband in our village of Padachhina she kept on imploring. Kalyani reached the riverfront. Who goes there? yelled the guard on duty. I am a lady said Kalyani trembling. You do not have the permission to go anywhere, said the guard. The Head Guard heard this. No one is permitted to enter the city, but there is no ban on those who want to leave, asserted the senior guard, clarifying the official position. OK then sister, so you can go, said the junior guard after being

rapped on the knuckle by his senior! But where are you thinking of going this night? There is mutiny everywhere. Who knows? May be you will end up in the bandits clutches or in the ditches. I strongly suggest that you do not think of going anywhere tomight. Kalyani explained that she was a poor beggar, with nothing but the rag on her body. What will bandits get from her? You have youth on you.the world sees that as value said the guard. who knows, even I might be tempted.. Kalyani felt that the discussions were taking a rather dangerous turn. She therefore decided not to argue any more and quietly slipped away. The Guard, disappointed that the young lady did not appreciate his flirtatious advances, went back to smoking pot and embarked upon a high-pitched song to drive away his demons and his boredom. That night, the highways were not deserted. There was a continuous stream of people, some shouting aggressively and the others trying to escape. Some were laughing out loud. Others were crying in pain and despair. Kalyani landed in the midst of all this. She dared not ask anyone the directions to her village. She blindly followed her instincts. A highly charged up group of mutineers chased her. Kalyani lost her mind and veered off the road, into the forest. Some of the mutineers chased her into the forest and one of them caught up with her, grabbing her by her clothes. Now then. Began the mutineer, but he was swiftly felled by a newcomer, who now freed Kalyani. Kalyani saw that her savior was someone, in the garb of a sanyasin. Do not be afraid, said the sanyasin. Where are you going? Padachinna, blurted out Kalyani, still shaking with fear. The newcomer, visibly startled, exclaimed Hey! Padachinna did you say! The stranger grasped Kalyani by her two shoulders and looked her straight in the eye with great interest. Kalyani was at the same time bewildered, scared and indignant at the way this stranger was treating her, but was in no position to run away. Of course, I know who you areyou are Kalyani...isnt it? Who are you? Asked Kalyani, in a scared tone. I am at your service, wont you warm up and allow me to take care of you? said the stranger. Kalyani felt distressed. Did you save me from the scoundrels only to take advantage of me? she asked. You wear the garb of a sanyasin, but where is your religion? Is this the way you treat a defenseless young lady in distress? I have been waiting since long to get a glimpse of you said the stranger, engulfing Kalyani in a hug and at the same time bursting out in squeals of laughter. Are you going in search of Mahendra? Kalyani was now totally beyond her wits. Who are you? she implored once again. You seem to know everything about me. I am a sanyasin, a small-time leader to the Santaans who are fighting the government forces, replied Shanti. I know everything about you. But with the streets on fire today, you will not be able to reach Padachinna on your own. Kalyani lost all hope and started sobbing inconsolably. Why do you fear? I am with you. I am unconquerable. Come with me, I will take you to Padachinna. If was as if Kalyani had just reached out and touched heaven. Take me wherever you want to, my Lord! I will go with you she said. The

stranger then set out with Kalyani through the forest route towards Padachinna. This sanyasin was none other than Shanti! Chapter 2 Earlier that night, when Shanti had started on her journey towards the city, she had told Jibananda, I am going to get Mahendras wife. Meanwhile you tell Mahendra that she exists. Jibananda had already learnt about Kalyanis survival and her subsequent sojourn in the City from Bhabananda and Dheerananda. He broke the good news to Mahendra. At first Mahendra did not believe a word. Then, when the reality finally sank in, he almost lost his mind with joy. The next afternoon, rescued from the highway by Shanti, mid-way through their journey to Padachinna, not far from the place where they were first separated from one another, Kalyani was finally reunited with Mahendra! Kal: Shanti, we are your slaves foreverfor all that the two of you have done for us. Do us just one last favorunite us with our daughter. I am told she is alive. Shanti looked meaningfully at Jibananda and said I am off to sleep. Have been on the run for the last two daysdid not have a wink of sleep. Jibananda now faced Kalyani. I have just been told that responsibility is mine. Anyway, the two of you continue your journey to Padachinna. You might meet your daughter there! While the reunited couple proceeded to Padachinna, Jibananda went in the direction of Bhairabpur to pick up the girl from Nimi. He had the uneasy feeling that this seemingly simple task would not actually be a stroll in the park! As predicted, Nimi did make matters difficult. At first she stared at Jibananda with her mouth wide open. Then she burst out crying, and finally said she would not let the child go. Padachinna is not that far away, reasoned Jibananda, you can go and meet her from time to time, he said. Nimi remained unconvinced. Finally she deposited the kid on Jibanandas lap and stomped off to the other room, in tears. She brought out the little childs clothes, dolls, toys, ribbons and other knick-knack and dropped them at Jibanandas feet. Sukumari, the little girl, herself arranged everything into a small neat heap and asked Nimi where they were going. Finally Nimi, not being able to take it any more, grasped the girl and fell apart with grief. Chapter 3 In stark contrast to Nimis mood, the mood at Padachinna was decidedly jubilant. In the newly built fort, Mahendra, Kalyani, Jibananda, Shanti, Nimi,

her husband and the little girl were all present in joyful reunion of sorts. Shanti was dressed up as Nabinananda. Mahendra was still unaware that Shanti was in fact a lady, Jibanandas wife. She had asked Kalyani to refrain from revealing her identity. However, Kalyani invited Shanti inside the house. Shanti ventured into the interiors. The servants looked on hesitantly wondering why a full-blooded, young sanyasin was entering the private chambers of Kalyani. Kal: How long will you maintain this disguise? I will not be able to hold back our secret from Mahendra for long. Shanti kept quiet for a long time. Finally she said, There are a lot of hassles in disclosing my true identity, Kalyani. Let it be like this. While the two were thus engaged in private conversation, the servants who had witnessed the entry of a young sanyasin into Kalyanis room dutifully reported the anomaly to their masterMahendra. Curiosity got the better of Mahendra. He ventured inside to see what this was all about. On entering the room, he caught Kalyani intimately close and about to take off the rough deer-skin cloth that the young sanyasin had wrapped around his shoulders. He stood aghast, appalled at what he saw. What! Shanti laughed...not able to trust your comrade-in-arms? Bhabananda was also a comrade-inarms, said Mahendra. Yes, but did Kalyani ever remove his deer-skin? Whats your point retorted Mahendra. My point is that you may not trust me, but do you not trust your wife? This caught Mahendra off-guards. When did I say that I distrust my wife? He blurted out. Then why did you follow us here and enter the room unannounced? said Shanti. I had some private discussions with my wife, said Mahendra. I too have some private discussions with her, countered Shanti. Besides, you are the master of this house. You can enter any room at any time. I just managed to sneak in a few moments of privacy with Kalyani. Please let me finish my work with her. You can come after that. Mahendra was confounded. Most of all, the young sanyasin, Nabinananda was not talking in the tones of the guilty. He seemed to be asserting his rights in engaging with Kalyani in private! Kalyani, he felt, was also behaving strangely. She did not show any embarrassment. In fact she appeared absolutely calm, smiling mischievously, as if some great joke was unfolding in front of her! Kalyani, who had voluntarily swallowed poison as a supreme sacrifice, did not seem to be a person who would be easily swayed by base emotions of lust and passion. Mahendra stood perplexed, not able to comprehend what was happening! Shanti smiled. She was enjoying Mahendras discomfiture. She threw an impish glance at Kalyani. Something about that glance and her smile was inherently feminine and Mahendra caught on. He gathered the courage to tear off Nabinanandas false beard and moustache. Kalyani had meanwhile ripped off the deer-skin cloak. All this revealed the true Shanti, in womans clothes and in all all her feminine grace. Shanti stood there in silence.

Mah: Who are you Shanti: Nabinananda Goswami Mah: Thats fake. You are a lady. Who is the actual you? Shanti: For all practical purposes, I am Nabinananda. Mah: Let me ask you something.as a woman, why do you constantly live with Jibananda? Shanti: Lets not get into that as of now Mah: is Jibananda aware of the fact that you are a woman? Shanti: Yes, he is aware of that Kalyani could not withstand the conversation any more. She is the wife of Jibananda she blurted out, trying to cut short the stalemate. For a moment Mahendras face lit up briefly, like the sun appearing from behind a mass of cloud. But then the clouds quickly regained their position, casting a deep shadow over Mahendras face. Kalyani understood the mood. She has also taken diksha.her vows of sacrifice she justified. Chapter 4 North Bengal was no more under the control of the Muslim administration. However, the administration seemed to be in a state of self denial. The official line was that a group of thugs and robbers were creating a problem nothing more. This state of affairs might have continued for long but for the arrival at Calcutta of Warren Hastings as the Governor General of the British East India Company. He was not a person who believed in status quo (had he been so, the history of British India might have been differentwith consequences better or worsewho knows?). He was determined to wrest back control of North Bengal and deputed Major Edwards to deal with the lawlessness and specifically sanyaisns belonging to the Order of the Santaans. Edwards realized right away that this was not going to be conventional warfare. The enemy had no regular army, no bases, no capital city or head quarters, yet they were everywhere. There was no territory that the British could conquer. The moment they moved on from one place to another, the yells of Vande Mataram would re-surface. He was amazed at the fact that the sanyasins would disband and regroup with lightening speed and attack the British forces with telling effect, whenever there was the slightest opportunity. Upon closer enquiry, Edwards learnt that a fort had been built at a place called Padachinna, where the rebels manufactured military hardware, stocked their armory and cash. He therefore decided to zero in on Padachinna.

He employed spies and obtained detailed information about the fort at Padachinna. Based on such information he decided against a frontal attack. Instead, he thought of an innovative scheme. The auspicious day of Maghi Purnima was approaching. This was a major Hindu festival and a huge fair usually took place on the banks of the river not far from where Edwards and his forces were camping. Hundreds of thousands were expected to visit the fair grounds on that day. This time, sanyasins having secured self-rule, a much larger crowd was expected. Edwards reasoned, correctly, that sanyasin forces of the Padachinna fort would also lower their guard that day and participate in the festivities. He therefore decided to attack Padachinna on Maghi Purnima. Edwards however, had one more ace up his sleeve. He let rumors fly that the British would attack the Maghi Purnima fair grounds, since a lot of people would accumulate there. The rumor spread like wild fire. The Santaans, along with their supporters and their sympathizers got ready to protect the fair. Mahendra, the commander of forces at Padachinna fort, also fell for the trap. He made plans for diverting most of the fort-based forces and the artillery to the fair grounds, to ward off the purported British attacks on the fair. Jibananda and Shanti had left Padachinna much before the war hysteria. In fact war was the farthest thing in their minds. They were in a peaceful frame of mind, having decided to end their lives together on the auspicious day of Maghi Purnima for all the vows that they had broken. However, the news that the British had plans of attacking the Maghi Purnima fair grounds reached them as well. Jibananda said, Then let us sacrifice our lives fighting. Let us prepare for war. Far away at a distance, they could see the British camps. Shanti replied let us not talk about dying any more. Let us say Vande Mataram! Chapter 5 Having decided to prepare for war and not death, Jibananda and Shanti parted ways. Since being exposed by Mahendra, Shanti had not gone back to being Nabinananda. She did not relish the idea of dying a fraud. Now she dressed herself up as a musician and entered the British camp with a stringed musical instrument in hand. The soldiers, deprived of any kind of entertainment, had a field day as Shanti regaled them with all their favorite numbers. While they showered Shanti with cash, food and asked when she would be back again for more, Shanti gathered valuable first-hand intelligence about the camp and its activities. Shanti replied that she may not get the chance to be back again as she lived quite far awayat Padachinna. Now Padachinna was quite a hot topic in the camp, as secret plans were being made for the assault on the fort. The soldiers, reasoning that Shanti might be able to offer them some more

intelligence on Padachinna, took her to meet their Captain. The captain in turn took her to meet the Major. Shanti put on her most alluring looks and bewitching smile on being presented to the Major and launched into a passionate song. The Major asked Where is your home, bibi? Padachinna, replied Shanti. Well that is what we the British call Padsinisnt it? There you have a ghar7? There is not one ghar, but so many ghars in Padachinna said Shanti. Major: Not ghar, but gharghar. Shanti: Oh! I get you. You mean a garha fort? Major: yes, yesGhar..is there one? Shanti: yes there is one, heavily fortified. Major: How many people? Shanti: You mean how many soldiers?...may be around twenty to fifty thousand. Major: Nonsense. In one fort there may be at the most two to four thousand. Are they still there in the fort or have they gone? Shanti: Gone where? Major: To the fair grounds. When did you leave Padachinna? Shanti: Yesterday. Major: Those men must have already left the fort today. Shantis sharp mind saw through the trap and she felt agitated within. Outwardly she managed to remain calm and said Well, maybe. I do not keep track of such developments. I am a simple woman, travelling around singing in praise of the lord and begging for alms. My voice has gone hoarse answering your queries. If you give me good tips, I may come back the day after tomorrow to give you more information about the movement of the fort people. Major Edwards emptied a pouch-full of coins in front of her and said Not day-after-tomorrow. I want the feedback by the end of this night. Shanti: Fat hopes! You expect me to perform a superhuman task while you sleep with blinkers on your eyes, you mole! Major: Who did you call a mole? Shanti: the one who is a great general Major: yes, that I am...a great general, like Robert Clive! Anyway, I want the bloody information tonight, come what may Shanti: not on my tired two legsforget it. Major: Go on horseback Shanti: If I knew how to ride a horse, I would not come begging for alms and singing those stupid songs. Major: Ok, you ride on someones lap Shanti: Come, you are putting me to shame. Major: I will give you five hundred rupees
7 Ghar means house, while Garh means a fort. The Major meant Garh, but his British accent sounded like Ghar

Shanti: Okwho will take me, you? Major Edwards then pointed to a young ensign by the name Lindlay. Lindlay will carry the lady, he asked. Lindlay reveled at the prospect of carrying an attractive lady on horseback. With pleasure, he replied. A fine Arabian horse was selected for the purpose and bridled. Lindlay prepared himself for the trip and offered to help Shanti get astride the horse. Shanti feigned embarrassment and asked to be taken outside the camp, and to ride the horse under cover of darkness. So Lindlay mounted the horse and cantered slowly away from the camp. Shanti followed. Outside, in the darkness, Shanti easily mounted the horse, with not much help from Lindlay. You seem to be an experienced rider complimented Lindlay. But you ride like a novice, with your feet on the stirrupstaunted Shanti. This instinctively made Lindlay take his feet off the stirrups. Shanti seized this opportunity to push Lindlay off the horse and galloped away alone on the horse. Her rigorous training in the jungle camps had paid off! While Lindlay struggled with a broken leg, Shanti sped at wind-speed inside the forest where Jibananda waited for her. Let me alert Mahendra at once, remarked Jibananda on hearing the inside news from Shanti. Meanwhile you proceed to the fair grounds to caution the others. Both then started off in different directions. Chapter 6 When Edwards heard of the Lindlay debacle, he immediately ordered his men to dismantle the tents, pack up and get ready to move. Soldiers got themselves upeither on the back of horses or on their own two feet. Muslims, Hindus, Madrassis8, Britishall got going with their guns. The cannons began to move, their wheels creaking, as if protesting this sudden change of inertia. Meanwhile, in line with earlier strategy, Mahendra was moving with his soldiers towards the fair grounds. As dusk was setting in, he ordered a halt and setting up of tents for the night. Unlike the well equipped British forces, Mahendras rag-tag army did not have much by way of tents. They just looked for shelters under trees, spread out whatever rags they happened to be carrying and eat whatever they could scrounge. While the men began their task of settling down, Mahendra decided to take a reconnaissance trip up the top of a nearby hillock. While he was thus engaged, Jibananda reached the spot where Mahendras men were camping. He was immediately recognized. He ordered the men
8 Literally people from Madras, but the term was (and still is) used to mean anyone from the southern states of India.

to follow him to the top of the hillock. Visibly and audibly excited at this latest twist in the tale, the men followed Jibananda up the hillock. What is this latest excitement all about? Queried Mahendra, when the men caught up with him. The excitement is all about who reaches the top of the hillock first, Edwards forces on the other side of the hillock or us, said Jibananda. He then addressed the forces, Do you all recognize me? I am Jibananda Goswami, the destroyer of thousands of enemy soldiers? The men shouted out in unison Yes we know you and have heard of your heroic deeds. Then repeat Vande Mataram after me, said Jibananda. The slopes of the hillock reverberated with shouts of Vande Mataram. Jiba: The enemy is on the other side of this hill. Come let us climb to the top this evening. Whoever reaches the top first will win the battle. Chant Vande Mataram and let us move. The hillside once again came alive with the shouts of Vande Mataram as the Santaans moved up the hill. But suddenly the tide had turned. The British forces had already scaled the hill! Their cannons and men appeared over the crest, silhouetted against the inky dark sky. Jibanandas men realized their danger. To stem the desperation and motivate themselves, the men sang. Thou, O Lord... art our knowledge, our devotion, Thou art the strength in our arms, Thou art the life that courses through our veins But their song was soon drowned by the firing of the canons, which began felling the santaans like the ripe stalks of grain that fall at the hands of a farmer with a sharp sickle. All efforts of Jibananda and Mahindra to stem the rot and regroup failed. The slopes of the hill soon became littered with bodies rolling over one another. With hurrays the British forces now began to descend from their hilltop vantage position, chasing the fast depleting Santaans. Bumping into Mahendra briefly amidst the mayhem Jibananda said its all over today. Lets prepare to die. If dying was the solution to winning this war, I would willingly die, said Mahendra. Dying uselessly is not the sign of a brave warrior, he concluded. I will die in this battlefield even if you call it useless, said Jibananda. He then shouted out to the remaining men who amongst you will join me in death today, with the Lords song on our lips? A few of the men volunteered. Let us treat this as a suicides mission. Let us vow not to come back alive. At this, most of those that had volunteered retracted. They did not want to commit suicide. Ok, since none of you are willing to participate in this suicide mission, let me go alone. Saying so he got on horseback and spotting Mahendra at a distance, shouted out Give the news to Nabinananda. Tell her I will meet her in the next world. Jibananda then rode into the hail of cannon balls and gunshots. Riding tall on horseback, he brandished a sword on one hand and a pistol in the other and

singing Vande Mataram. This seemingly hopeless foray somehow galvanized some of the other men. Dismay led to awe. Awe led to frenzy. If he can commit suicide, can we not do the same? they said. By now Jibananda had disappeared well within enemy lines. A frenzied few stopped retreating and followed Jibananda. Yet other men, who had virtually given up the fight and were running away, saw this latest trend and thought that perhaps the tide had turned in favor of the santaans. The Santaans are winning the war! they shouted. At this, yet others turned around to face the enemy. This was like a ripple effect. Groups of men, who were in various stages of running away, now regrouped one after another and proceeded toward the enemy lines and with shouts of Vande Mataram. While the British forces were thus engaging Jibanandas men, they did not notice that another huge section of Santaan forces had attacked them from another front. This was led by Satyananda himself and comprised of the men that had gathered at the fair grounds. Mahendra saw this development and drew the attention of the yet undecided men on his side Look! He said, The great Swami Satyananda himself has come to our rescue. Let us now finish the enemy, he urged. This was the last nail on the British coffin. Like two huge slabs of stone, the two wings of the Santaan forces squashed the hapless government forces in between. So severe and complete was the destruction that not a soul survived, to convey the bad news to Warren Hastings. Chapter 7 It was a full moon night. The ferocity of the battle was now over. The cacophony emanating from horses hooves, gun shots, canon volleyshad now completely subsided and was replaced by the muted sounds of scavenging dogs and the vultures shifting position far above on the treetops. Also, the groans and screams of the grievously injured punctured the silence. Some cried out for help, some for water. Yet others prayed to God and some hoped for a quick death to finish off their miseries. In the throes of death, Hindu, Muslim, Bengali, British, enemy, friendthe differences seemed meaningless. They suffered equally, the same agony, the same pain. That auspicious full moon night of Maghi Purnima, with its piercing cold weather and death and destruction strewn all over, looked distinctly inauspicious indeed! No one dared to revisit the deserted battlefield. Well, that may be true in general, except for one young lady, who was now rummaging amongst the cadavars, looking for someone. By the flickering light of a flaming torch, she examined each dead face, trying to recognize someone. At one place she lowered the torch on the ground to extricate a human form from underneath

a dead horse. Apparently this was not the person she was looking for. She picked up the flame and moved on. She searched meticulously throughout the battlefield but did not find what she was looking for. Finally, frustrated, sad and tired, she gave up, fell down amongst the dead bodies and started crying. She was Shantilooking for Jibananda. Amidst all this, she suddenly heard a voice in the darkness. Get up, dont cry, the gentle voice called out to her. She looked up in the direction of the voice. A huge mana sanyasin, with long, matted hair and beard accosted her. Let me find Jibanandas body for you, come with me, said the man. He took Shanti to a place in the middle of the battlefield where a group of men lay on top of one another in a huge heap. Shanti had earlier not been able to disentangle that heap. Now the huge sanyasin carefully separated the bodies to reveal a body that Shanti instantaneously recognizedit was Jibananda. Look closely, said the sanyasin, is he dead? Shanti tried to feel if there was any breathing, but could discern any life-signs. Shanti felt the heart, but could sense no heartbeat. The body felt cold. Feel inside the mouth. Do you feel any warmth? asked the sanyasin. Shanti did as told..cant be sure she said. Now the Sanyasin touched Jibananda with his left hand. You are scared out of your life, no wonder you can not feel anything. I think there is still some warmth in the body, he said. Shanti once again repeated the earlier sequence of inspections. This time she did feel some pulse, some warmth and a faint wisp of breath coming out of the nostrils. Shanti shivered. Did he come back to life? she asked in puzzlement. The sanyasin laughed, Is that ever possible? He asked. Can you drag him to the nearby poolside and wash away the blood from the wounds? I am a bit of a doctor. Id like to treat him. Shanti found the strength to carry Jibananda to the pool and wash his body of all the blood and dirt. The man brought various herbs and potions and began his treatment, which culminated after a while in Jibananda reviving and sitting up. He stared at Shanti and asked, Is the battle over. Who won in the end? Shanti: You won. Touch the feet of this great man. He saved your life. Now both of them turned around, but there was no one to be seen. The sanyasin had disappeared! By then the full moon of Maghi Purnima was at its zenith. In the distance, noises of jubilation could be heard. The Santaans were celebrating. But all that did not seem to affect Jibananda and Shanti. They sat quietly by the sparkling stream. Jibananda had by now regained his full strength, thanks to the medications. Shanti, he said, magical was the effect of those herbs. I

do not feel any pain now. I have also regained my full of energy. Hear the celebrations! Should we go and join? Shanti: We have had enough. The Santaans have won a victory for our Mother. She has been restored to her former glory! Our mission has been accomplished. But we do not want to rule. Let us go back home. Jiba: What has been wrested by force now has to be sustained by force as well. Who will do that? Shanti: Mahendra is there for that. Swami Satyananda himself is there. Let them decide. You had sacrificed your life for the cause. This rejuvenated body of yours no more belongs to the Santaans. You are a free man now. If you go back, they will say that you had been hiding during the war and now you have resurfaced to claim your share of the glory. Jiba: Why do you say that? My life has been dedicated to the cause of our Mother. She still needs meto preserve her new-found glory. Wont I be failing in my duties as a son, if I now desert her? Shanti: You have done more than your share of duties. You had sacrificed your life. Having accomplished your supreme sacrifice, there is no scope for any further service. Forget the Santaans now. That chapter of your life is over. Lets move on Jiba: But do you think I can now go back to a life of domestication, and be happy. My life has now been totally consumed by duty towards our Mother. Shanti: Yes, I agree. Let us not go back to a family life. Let us remain sanyasin and live life according to our vows. Let us go on a pilgrimage, visiting places. Jiba: and after that? Shanti: and then let us retire to the Himalayasbuild a small hut for ourselves and spend our days, praying for the wellbeing of our Mother. Saying so, the two of them held hands and faded away into the darkness. Oh Mother! When will they come again? When will you give birth again? .a son like Jibanandaa daughter like Shanti? Chapter 8 Satyananda had left the battlefield alone and returned to the Ananda Math. There in the middle of the night, he sat in a trance at the feet of the massive statue of Vishnu. That sanyasin-doctor, who had earlier revived Jibananda entered. Upon seeing him, Satyananda touched his feet. Satyananda today is the auspicious Maghi Purnima, he reminded. Satya: Yes, lets go, I am ready. But Oh Wise One! Clear this one doubt of mine. Why is it that on the very day that I accomplished the mission of getting rid of the oppressive forces, I am being asked to leave? Sanyasin: You have done your job. You have created a free land for your followers. You have nothing more to do. There is no need for unnecessary bloodshed any more.

Satya: the oppressive rule has been crushed all right, but a new benevolent, Hindu rule has not yet been put in place. Sanyasin: Hindu rule will not be established right now in any case. Your staying back can not help achieve that. All you will do, by hanging around, will be to instigate more bloodshedthat really doesnt help anyone. This brutal assessment crushed Satyanandas spirits. He wailed Oh Lord! If the Hindus wont rule after all this, then who will? Will the Muslims rule again? Sanyasin: The British will rule now. Tears rolled down Satyanandas cheeks. He stared at the image of the Mother above him and said in a choking voice Oh Mother, I could not in the end rescue you. You will again fall in the hands of the foreigners. Do not fault us, your children. We did our best. Why did you not let me die in the battlefield today? Sanyasin: Satyananda, do not feel dejected. You applied brute force to overcome your adversaries. You looted to fill your coffers. What you did might have produced short term results, but was definitely not something sustainable. Force can always be beaten with more forceand that is what will happen now. But do not despair. The British rule will prove beneficial, for the people and for the Hindu religion. A religious renaissance will take shape. Let me try to explain to you The blind worship of millions of Gods is not Hinduism. What now is viewed as Hinduism, is just a cheap, ritualistic, diluted version. True Hinduism is knowledge-oriented, not action-oriented. Knowledge again, is of two types external and internal. The internal knowledge orientation is the core of true Hinduism. But then, unless we first acquire external knowledge, there is no scope for our internal knowledge to develop. Unless we know what the gross is, we can not appreciate the net. In the ancient past, our country was the fountainhead of external knowledge. Our scientists, mathematicians, engineers showed the way to the rest of the world. But over the last few centuries, we seem to have lost that momentum. This lack of external knowledge has in turn made us internally bankrupt as well. Our true religion is therefore on the verge of extinction. In order to carry out a religious renaissance, therefore, we must ensure updating our external knowledge, concentrate on educating our masses. We do not have such competencies, or the resources. So, who better to help us in this than the British? They have excelled in acquiring external knowledge, and are adept at educating. With their initiative, our people will gain external knowledge. This in turn will lead to a maturity in internal thinking and knowledge. Only then will the ground be fertile enough for the blossoming of our religion in its truest form. So unless that happens, unless we are again truly knowledgeable, wise and powerful, let us enjoy the beneficial aspects of British rule. Under British rule, a basic sense of fairness will prevail, there will be law and order and our people will be able to learn, earn, and yearn in peace. So, my dear friend,

come with me. You have done your job. You have created the right atmosphere by unsettling the inefficient, incompetent government. Leave the rest to the British. Satya: O Wise One! If British rule is what you wanted all along, then why did you allow us to fight this war? Why did you allow the slaughtering of so many innocent peopleour people? Sanyasin: The British are in this country primarily as traders now. Their focus is on revenues. They do not want to take on the responsibilities of governing. Now, the success of your mutiny will force them to think differently. They will realize that revenue maximization is only possible when there is a functioning government, a stable administration, and a pool of educated local people to hire from. Now, come with me.and begin your own journey to the world of knowledge, so that you can begin to appreciate these issues better. Satya: O Wise one! I do not aspire to gain any more knowledge. I have devoted my life to the service of our Mother. Bless me so that I stay true and committed to my vows and duties. Sanyasin: You have done your duties. Your mission has been accomplished. Your Mother will breathe more freely under British rule that you have helped create! It is time now to give up militancy, to divert the attention of people towards agriculture, make the world green and bountiful and ensure that there is an increase in knowledge and wisdom. Satyananda felt betrayed. You want us to make our Mother green and bountiful with the water provided by the enemy? Sanyasin: There are no more enemies. The British are our allies now. Besides, there is no force today that can match up to the military might of the British Satya: I would prefer to end my life here, in front of our Mother. Sanyasin: You want to die ignorant? Why dont you follow me in the search of knowledge? Let us go to a temple high up in the Himalayas. From there, take a look at your country, your Mother. May be you will observe things in a new perspective. The two men finally rose. What an inspiring spectacle thats was! Two visionary men, standing in front of the huge four-armed image of Vishnu, in that dim flickering light, holding hands.

Who was holding whose hand anyway? Who was leading? Who was being led? Was Wisdom leading Devotion? Was Dharma leading Karmaor was it Shanti (peace) leading Kalyani(wellbeing)? Perhaps it was the sanyasin, desiring Destruction of the old order for the Wellbeing of the people, leading Satyananda away from the scene. Satyananda, who wanted to Create a kingdom of his liking, of his people! Destruction leading Creation? Destructive Creation or Creative Destruction?