Anandamath

Chapter XII

After victory in battle, on the bank of the river Ajoy the victorious heroes rejoiced in various festivities. Only Satyananda mourned for Bhavananda.

So long the Vaishnavas had hardly any war band but at that moment from somewhere appeared thousands of Kara, Nagra, native drums. Kansi, Sanai, Turi, Veri, Ramsinga and Damama. The woods, fields and rivers began to echo and resound with this war-band denoting victory. When for a long time the Santans had rejoiced in festivities Satyananda said, “You have received God’s grace today, the Santan religion is crowned with victory; but duty still remains unaccomplished. Those who cannot rejoice with us today, those who have offered their lives in order to make this festivity possible, we must not forget them. Let us go and perform the last rites for those who are lying dead on the battle-field. Specially that saintly person Bhavananda who has, for our sake, given up his life in battle, let us perform his funeral rites with great pomp and ceremony. Then with the cry — “Hail Mother,” the Santans went to perform these rites for the dead. Many people assembled and with “Hari Bole” on their lips gathering sandal wood in heaps they built Bhavananda’s funeral pyre, placing Bhavananda’s body on it and setting fire to it they went round it again and again singing, “O Hari, О Murari” all the time. They were devotees of Vishnu, they did not really belong to the Vaishnava sect, so their custom was to cremate their dead bodies.

After that Satyananda, Jivananda, Mohendra, Nabinananda and Dhirananda sat together in the forest; they were busy in secret consultation. Satyananda said, “The vow for the sake of which we had so long renounced all avocations, all religion, all the pleasures of life, that vow stands fulfilled; there are no Mussulman soldiers left in this part of the country, what is left of the enemy they are not powerful enough to stand against us for an hour. What is your suggestion now?”

Jivananda said, “Let us go and occupy the capital.”

Satyananda: I am of the same opinion.

Dhirananda: Where are soldiers?

Jivananda: Why, these are our soldiers.

Dhirananda: Where are the soldiers you talk of? Whom do you find here?

Jivananda: They must be resting here and there, if we beat the drum they will collect all right.

Dhirananda: You will not get a single one of them.

Satyananda: Why?

Dhirananda: All have gone out with the object of plunder. The villages are now unprotected. They will all go home after plundering the Mussulman villages and the silk factories. You will not get any one now, I have gone and made a search everywhere.

Satyananda became dejected; he said, whatever it is, this entire region is now under our occupation. There are none hereabout who can aspire to be our competitor. So you go about and proclaim the fact that there is Santan kingdom established in Barendra land, collect dues from the subjects and gather and organise soldiers for taking possession of the capital. If they hear that the Hindus have got their own kingdom, any number of soldiers will raise our flag.”

Then Jivananda and others doing obeisance to Satyananda said, “We bow down to you, О King of Kings! If you order we can put up your throne in this very forest.”

Satyananda for the first time in his life showed anger. He said, “Shame! You take me for an empty vessel! We are none of us rulers, we are all Sanyasins. No, the King of Heaven is himself our ruler. When the capital is occupied, you may put the crown on anybody’s head you like, but know this much for certain that I shall acknowledge no other life than that of a Brahmachari. Now you can go about your business.”

Then all four of them bowed to the Brahmachari; and got up. Satyananda unobserved by others signed to Mohendra and detained him. Three of them left. Mohendra stayed behind. Then Satyananda said to Mohendra, “All of you had taken the vow of the Santan religion on sacred oath in the Vishnu temple. Both Bhavananda and Jivananda transgressed their vow. Bhavananda has today gone through his agreed atonement. I am always on the tenter hooks of fear, that, some day Jivananda too may give up his body for atonement. But I have one consolation, for some secret reason he will not be able to die just at present. You alone have kept your vow inviolate. Now the object of the Santans is achieved. This was your vow, that so long as the purpose of the Santans is not fulfilled you will not look upon the faces of your wife and daughter. The object of the Santans is attained, now you can again go back to your householder’s life.”

Tears flowed from Mohendra’s eyes copiously. Mohendra said, “My lord, with whom shall I begin my life as a householder? My wife committed suicide, and I don’t know the whereabouts of my daughter. Where shall I get a clue to her? You have told me that she is alive, that much I know, I don’t know anything beyond that.”

Satyananda then called Nabinananda and said to Mohendra, “This is Nabinananda Goswami, he is pure-hearted and is my dearest disciple. He will give you the necessary clue to your daughter.” Saying this Satyananda made some signs to Santi. Taking the hint Santi bowed to him and was on the point of leaving. Then Mohendra asked, “Where shall I meet you?”

Santi replied, “Come to my hermitage.” Saying this Santi preceded him.

Then Mohendra making his obeisance to the Brahmachari took leave of him and followed Santi to her hermitage. It was late at night. Even then without taking rest Santi started for the town.

After all had left, the Brahmachari now alone bowed down his head on the ground and began meditating on God. Dawn was breaking. Just then some one came and touching his head said, “I have come.”

The Brahmachari got up started and said eagerly, “Have you come? Why?”

The one who had come said, “The appointed time is completed.”

The Brahmachari said, “O my lord! Excuse me today. On the next full-moon day in the month of Magh I shall do what you require of me.”