Anandamath

Chapter XVIII

Before evening the Society of the Santans all knew that Satyananda Brahmacharin and Mohendra had both been captured and imprisoned in the city. Then in ones, twos, tens and hundreds Santans began to assemble and fill the forest surrounding the temple. All were armed, an angry fire glowed in their eyes, there was pride in their faces and on their lips a vow. At first a hundred, then a thousand, then two thousand, thus more and more men began to assemble. Then standing at the entrance of the math, his sword in his hand, Jnanananda spoke in a loud voice — “We have long contemplated breaking this nest of pernicious birds (Babui) totally destroying this Mussulman city and throwing it into the river. We must burn this nest with fire and once more purify the earth. Brethren, that day has dawned. The Guru of our Guru, our highest Guru, he who is all knowledge, who is forever pure in action, and is the well-wisher of the country and who for once more preaching the religion of the Santans has vowed to sacrifice his body, whom, we regard as the Avatar of Vishnu, wlio is the means of our freedom, today he is a prisoner in the prison of the Mussulmans. Is there no edge to our swords?” Then stretching his arms Jnanananda asked, “Is there no strength in our arms.” Again striking his breast he said, 4s there no courage in this heart? Brethren repeat with me —

О Hari, О Murari, О enemy of
Madhu and Kaitava!

“He who has destroyed Madhu and Kaitava, he who has destroyed Haranyakashipu, Kangsa, Dantabakra, Sishupa! — he who has killed all these unconquerable Asuras, and hearing the terrible grinding noise of whose chakra the deathless Sambhu himself was afraid — he who is unconquerable and the giver of victory in battle, we are his devotees, with his strength our arms are gifted with endless strength. He is will incarnate. If he wills it we shall be victors in battle. Come, let us go and reduce to dust that city of the Mussulmans. Let us purify with fire that den and cast it into the river. Let us break that nest of pernicious birds and scatter its twigs and straws to the four winds. Oh my brothers, repeat after me —

О Hari, О Murari, О enemy of
Madhu and Kaitava!”

Then from the forest arose a terrible cry. From a hundred thousand voices at once re-sounded —

“O Hari, О Murari, О enemy of
Madhu and Kaitava!”

A thousand swords clashed at once, a thousand tall spear-heads were at once raised on high. A thousand hands clapped. A thousand shields granted on the backs of the soldiers. The animals of the forest were frightened by the terrible din and fled. The disturbed birds rose shrieking to the sky and covered it with their wings. At that time a thousand war drums were sounded at once and shouting — “O Hari, О Murari, О enemy of Madhu and Kaitava!” the Santans in ordered rank marched out of the forest. Then with slow measured steps loudly crying the name of Hari in that dark night they advanced towards the city. And there was heard, as they went, the rustling of dead leaves, the rattling of arms, the half suppressed chant with loud cries of “Hari Bol” in between. Slowly, gravely, with angry ferocity, that army of Santans came to the city and struck fear in the hearts of the citizens. At this sudden thunder-stroke the citizens fled none knows where. The guardians of the city with their guards remained actionless.

The Santans first went to the public prison and broke it open. They killed the guards and freeing Satyananda and Mohendra they lifted them high and danced in joy. A loud cry of Hari-bol resounded in the air. After freeing Satyananda and Mohendra, wherever they found the home of a Mussaiman they burnt it. Then Satyananda said. “Let us return — no need of this useless destruction.”

Meanwhile having heard of the ravages of the Santans, the authorities sent a regiment of Sepoys to suppress them. They not only had guns but also a canon. The Santans hearing of their coming left the forest of Ananda and advanced to fight with them. But lathis and spears or even twenty or twenty-five guns are useless before a canon. The Santans were defeated and started to fly.