Anandamath

Chapter IX

With deep booming sound the British guns roared. Shaking that vast forest, the sound echoed in a fresh booming. Moving along the embankment of the river it was thrown back again from the distant horizon. Crossing the river and penetrating the further woods the boom of the guns called again, Satyananda ordered them, “Go and find out whose are those guns.” Some of the Santans rushed forward on horse back to reconnoitre. But as soon as they, emerging from the forest, had proceeded some distance, cannon balls were showered on them like rain, all of them got wounded along with their horses and died. Satyananda saw it from a distance. He said, “Climb a high tree and find out what it is.” But before he said it Jivananda had climbed up a tree and was looking about him in the morning light He shouted down from the top of the tree, “The guns belong to the British.” Satyananda asked. “Are these cavalry or infantry?”

Jivananda: Both are there.

Satyananda: How many?

Jivananda: I cannot guess as they are still emerging from the forest.

Satyananda: Are there British troops, or only Sepahis?

Jivananda: There are British troops alright.

Satyananda told Jivananda, “You get down from the tree.” Jivananda got down. Satyananda said, “There are ten thousand Santans present. Try and see what you can do with them. You are the general today.” Jivananda armed himself well and jumped on his horse. Once be looked at Nabinananda and some signal passed between them which no one else understood. Nabinananda too answered through look, which also none could comprehend. Only both of them realised, that, very possibly they were parting for good. At that time Nabinananda raising his right hand said to all, “Brothers, let us sing now, “All glory to Jagadish Hare.” Then those ten thousand Santans with raised hands sang in one voice resounding with their song the river, forest and sky and drowning the boom of the guns in it —

Lord of the world thy praise we sing
With praise of Hari the world doth ring.
The barbaric horde
With thy sword —
Oh to kill!

Just then the shell of the British guns began raining on the Santans in the forest. Some of them fell down singing decapitated, some handless, others with their heart ripped open. Even then none stopped singing. All sang together, “Glory to Jagadisha Hare.”

When the song was concluded all was silent.

That dense forest, that river bank, that lonely region all became steeped in deep silence; there was only heard that distant and terrible roar of the guns, clatter of weapons of the British troops and the sound of their footsteps.

Then Satyananda broke that stillness and shouted in a loud voice, “Hari the Lord of the universe has taken compassion on you — How far are the guns?”

Some one answered from above, “Very near this forest on the other side of a small field.”

Satyananda asked, “Who are you?”

The answer came from above, “I am Nabinananda.”

Then Satyananda said, “You Santans are ten thousand in number, victory will surely come to you today, go and seize the gun.” Then Jivananda on horseback in front of them cried, “Come on!”

Those ten thousand Santans — both infantry and cavalry followed Jivananda at a rush. The fighters on foot carried their guns on their shoulders, a sword at their waist and a lance in their hands. As soon as they emerged from the forest the shower of cannon balls fell on them and dispersed them. Many Santans lay on the ground dead without a chance of fighting. Some one said to Jivananda, “Jivananda, of what use is this waste of human life?”

Jivananda turned and found that that person was Bhavananda. Jivananda asked, “What do you advise me to do?”

Bhavananda: Let us remain in the forest and save our lives under the cover of trees. In the open field in the face of guns and without support of our guns this Santan army cannot expect to stand for a moment. But behind bushes we can carry on the fight for a long time.

Jivananda: What you say is true, but our Master has ordered us to seize the gun, so we shall proceed to do it.

Bhavananda: Who can possibly seize it? But if some one must do it, you desist, I shall go forward.

Jivananda: That won’t do, Bhavananda. I have got to die today.

Bhavananda: I have go to die today too.

Jivananda: I have to atone for my sin.

Bhavananda: You are untouched by sin, you have no need for atonement. My heart is unclean — it is I who have got to die. You remain behind, I go.

Jivananda: Bhavananda, what sin you may have committed, I don’t know; but if you live, the purpose of the Santans will be served. Let me go instead.

Bhavananda keeping quiet for a time said, “If dying is in question we may die today, or on any other day if we are required to do so as well. Need we look for an auspicious moment for dying?

Jivananda: Then come along.

After this parley Bhavananda kept himself in front. Just then cannon balls in spurts and showers were falling on the Santan force breaking them, tearing them, tossing them up; over and above that the Sepahis’ muskets with their unerring aim were shooting down rank after rank of Santans. At that moment Bhavananda said, “We have got to jump in this deadly current, brothers, which of you dare? Now come let us sing “Bande Mataram!” Then in full throated chorus in loud Megha-mallar tune keeping time with the boom of cannons the Santan army sang “Hail Mother!”