Anandamath

Chapter III

Santi left Captain Thomas and fleet-footed as a deer entered into the forest. After a while Captain Thomas heard a woman’s voice singing

“This wave of youth who can tide?
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!”

Then somewhere to the sweet sound of a Sarang the song was played —

“This wave of youth who can tide?
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!”

Then with it there mingled a man’s voice —

“This wave of youth who can tide?

О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!”

The three voices mingled together in song and the creepers of the forest vibrated with it. Santi went on singing —

“This wave of youth who can tide?
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!”
In the waters strong breeze
My new boat, it floats with ease;
See the boatman the helm doth seize—
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!”
The barrier of sand is broken brother!
Our dear hopes who can smother?
The rising tide is in the river,
Who can stem or stop it ever?
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!

And once more on the Sarang was played —

“The rising tide is in the river,
Who can stem or stop it ever?”
О Hari, О Murari! О Hari, О Murari!

Where the forest had so deepened that it was impossible to see from outside what was within, Santi entered the forest. There hidden among the branches and leaves there was a small hut made of logs, thatched with leaves, with a plank flooring which was cemented with mud paste. Santi entered the hut lifting the creepers which covered the doorway. In the hut Jivananda was sitting and playing on the Sarang.

Seeing Santi Jivananda asked, “After so long is the rising tide in the river?”

Santi asked, “Can the river-tide flow in the waters of canals and pools?”

Jivananda said sadly, “Well Santi, for breaking my vow once my life is already forfeit. Whatever is a sin must be atoned for. I would have atoned for it by now too but for your request. But a severe fight can no longer be delayed. In that battlefield I must perform that penance. This life must be sacrificed. The day of my death — ”

Santi without allowing him to proceed said. “I am your wife, tied in holy wedlock to you; I am your religious partner, your support in religion. You have embraced an extremely difficult religion. In order to help you in practicing it I have left our home and am living in the forest so that the two of us together may practice our religion. I shall help you in your religion. Being your partner in it why should I hinder you? Marriage is for this life as well as for the life to come. The marriage that is for this life, think that it has not taken place. Our marriage is for the life to come. In the life to come it will be twice as fruitful. But why talk of penance? You have committed no sin. Your vow is that you will not be seated on the same seat with a woman. Why, you have never done so. Why then talk of penance? Alas! My lord, you are my guru, shall I teach you your religion? You are a hero, shall I give you lessons in heroism and its vows?

Jivananda overwhelmed with joy said, “Still you have taught me!” With a happy heart Santi continued, “Also my lord, even in this life our marriage is not fruitless. “You love me. I love you. Is there in this life a greater boon? Sing — “Bande Mataram.” Then both together sang “Bande Mataram.”