Anandamath

Chapter XIV

Night has come. Imprisoned Satyananda told Mohendra ‘To­day is a day of great rejoicing, because we have been shut up in a prison. Exclaim — ‘Haray Muraray.’

Mohendra plaintively repeated — ‘Haray Muraray.’

Satya: “Why so distressed, my boy? Had you taken this vow, cutting off all connection with your wife and children would have been a matter of course; you could not then have had any earthly tie to bind you.”

Mohendra: “It is one thing to renounce and quite another to suffer the sentence of the God of death. Besides, the power which would have enabled me to take this vow has departed with my wife and daughter.”

Satya: “That power shall come. I will give that power. Be initiated in this great mantra and do take this great vow.”

“My wife and daughter are being devoured by dogs and jackals; the less we talk of a vow the better for all,” disgustingly replied Mohendra.

Satya: “Herein set all doubts at rest. The Santans have rightly done the obsequies of your wife and safely housed your daughter.”

Mohendra was astonished but did not put much reliance on these words and said, “How do you know it? You have all along been with me”

Satya: “We have been initiated in a great enterprise. The gods show us their bounty. This night you will get the news, and this night you will be liberated from the prison.”

Mohendra did not speak anything. Satyananda felt that Mohendra could not see his way to believing him.

Satyananda then said, “You can’t believe it? All right, then try.” Thus saying Satyananda came up to the door of the prison but what he actually did Mohendra could not see in that darkness; all that he realised was that he was speaking to somebody.

On his return Mohendra asked him, “What shall I try?”

Satya: “At this very moment you will get released from the prison.”

No sooner had these words been uttered than the prison doors opened. Somebody got into the cell and inquired “Whose name is Mohendra?’

Mohendra said, “My name.”

The newcomer then said, “Your release order has come, you can now go.”

Mohendra was first astonished and then thought it was all a hoax. He came out for proof. Nobody resisted his progress. Mohendra proceeded up to the high road. Meanwhile the newcomer told Satyananda, “Maharaj, you too may go; I have come to relieve you.”

Satya: “Who are you, is it Dhirananda Gossain?”

Dhira: “Yes Sir.”

Satya: “How did you come to be a sentinel?”

Dhira: “Bhavananda has sent me. When I came to the city and learnt that you were in this prison, I fetched here a little Siddhi mixed with Dhutura. The Khan Saheb who was on duty took it and fell into a deep sleep on this piece of earth as his bed; this uniform and turban and spear which I have worn belongs to him.”

Satya: “You get out of this city in this uniform. I shall not do so.”

Dhira: “Why, how is that?”

Satya: “To-day is the day of trial for the Santans.”

Mohendra returned by this time. Satyananda asked him, “Why do you come back?”

Mohendra: “You are no doubt a god-man, but I shall not leave your company.”

Satyananda: “Then stay with me, we shall both be released in another manner.”

Dhirananda went out; Satyananda and Mohendra remained inside the prison.