Page:Anandamath, The Abbey of Bliss - Chatterjee.djvu/191

will come under our flag if they hear that a Hindu kingdom has been established." Then Jivananda and others bowed to him and said : " Maharaj, if you so command, we shall establish your throne in these woods." Satyananda flew into a rage for the first time in his life. " For shame," he said, " do you take me for an empty vessel like that ? We are none of us a kinsr ; we are all ascetics. The Lord of Baikuntha himself is the king of this country. When the city is conquered, you may give the crown to whomsoever you like, but know this for sure that no state but that of a monk shall be mine. You may now go to do your several duties." Then the four bowed to Satyananda and rose to go, when Satyananda made a sign to Mahendra, to stay, unnoticed by others. The other three went away and Mahendra waited. Satyananda then said to him, " You all did take your vow in the temple of Vishnu. Bhavananda and Jivananda failed to keep it. Bhava- nanda has made the expiation promised. I am always in fear that some day Jivananda too will give up his life by way of expiation. I have one hope however ; for some secret reason he will not be able to die now. You alone have kept your faith. The object of the Children has been gained. Your vow was that you should not see the face of your wife and child till our work was done. Now It is done. You may now be a householder again." Torrenis of tears rained down Mahendra 's cheeks.