The Swami was then living in an abandoned cave, where he was engaged in spiritual practices. His sole belongings were one or two blankets, a water pot, and a few books.

After a few days the Muslim Vakil invited Munshi Jagmohanlal, Private Secretary to the Raja of Khetri, to meet his guest. As it happened, the Swami was resting at the time, having on only a loin-cloth and piece of ochre cloth. When the visitor saw the sleeping monk, he thought, "Oh! here is one of those common monks who are no better than thieves and rogues!" Presently the Swami awoke. Almost the first thing that Jagmohanlal said to him was, "Well, Swamiji, you are a Hindu monk. How is it that you are living with a Muslim? Your food may now and then be touched by him." At this question the Swami flared up. He said, "Sir, what do you mean? I am a sannyasi. I am above all your social conventions. I can dine even with a Bhangi [sweeper]. I am not afraid of God, for He sanctions it; I am not afraid of the scriptures, for they allow it: but I am afraid of you people and your society. You know nothing of God and the scriptures. I see Brahman everywhere, manifested even in the meanest creature. For me there is nothing high or low. Shiva, Shiva!" A sort of divine fire shone about him. Jagmohanlal was silenced; but he wished the Raja to make the acquaintance of such a monk. "Swamiji," he said, "do come with me to the palace to meet the Raja Saheh." The monk replied, "Very well, I shall go the day after tomorrow."

One day a Muslim, the Vakil (pleader) of the Prince of a Native State, happened to pass by, and saw the Swami. Struck with his appearance, the Vakil decided to speak to him. A few minutes' conversation impressed him with the learning of the recluse, to whom he became much attached and whom he visited quite often. One day the Vakil asked the Swami if he could be of any service to him. The Swami said, "Look here, Vakil Saheb, the rainy season is fast approaching. There are no doors to this cave. You can make me a pair of doors, if you please." Gratified, the Vakil said, "This cave is a wretched one. If you will allow me, I shall make a suggestion. I live here alone in a nice bungalow. If you would condescend to come and live with me, I should feel greatly blessed." When the Swami agreed to the proposal, the Vakil said, "But I am a Muslim. I shall, of course, make separate arrangements for your food." The Swami brushed this aside and moved to the bungalow.

You must go on with your Japa whatever direction the mind takes.

Tell Harbux that he is to begin with the Pranayama in the following way.

Try hard with your Sanskrit studies.

The Swami soon gathered round him some devoted followers with whom he used to walk in the evening. One day they were going along Bailey's Walk, which commands a fine view of the hill station. Below them stretched the lake of Mount Abu. The Swami with his friends left the Walk and sat down among the rocks. He began to sing, and his song went on for hours. Some Europeans, ,also taking an evening stroll, were charmed with the sweet music, and waited long for a glimpse of the singer. At last he came down, and they congratulated him on his sweet voice and ecstatic song.

On April 14 the Swami left Ajmer for Mount Abu, a cele-brated hill-resort of western India and Rajputana, where there is one of the most wonderful temples in India. For the delicacy and beauty of its sculpture it is almost unrivalled in the land. It is a Jaina temple, known as the Dilwara Temple. It was built in the early part of the thirteenth century by two pious brothers, merchant princes, and is said to have taken fourteen years to build. The Swami spent days examining the glories of this temple. He would also stroll by the lake-the treasure of Mount Abu. By the lake are rocks of strange shape, one like a praying nun, and another like a toad about to spring into the waters, and so on.

Have you done the Upanayana of that Brahmin boy?

Are you studying Sanskrit? How far have you advanced? I think you must have finished the first part. . . .

Are you diligent in your Shiva Puja? If not, try to be so. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all good things will be added unto you." Follow God and you shall have whatever you desire. . . .

To the two Commander Sahebs my best regards; they being men of high position were very kind to a poor fakir like me.

My children, the secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and to do good--that is the whole of religion. "Not he that crieth 'Lord', 'Lord', but he that doeth the will of the Father".

You are a nice band of young men, you Alwaris, and I hope in no distant future many of you will be ornaments of the society and blessings to the country you are born in.

PS. Don't be ruffled if now and then you get a brush from the world; it will be over in no time, and everything will be all right.

From the Waqyat Register (State Diary) of Khetri State, the Swami's activities at this time are known in some detail. His first meeting with Raja Ajit Singhji of Khetri took place at the summer palace at Mount Abu, on the evening of June 4, 1891. On this occasion the Raja talked with the Swami on various subjects, and Hardayal Singhji of Jodhpur was also present. After taking dinner at the palace, the Swami left. On June 6, 11, 15, 22, and 23 he lunched and had discussions with the Raja, chiefly on education, religion and philosophy, usually in English and sometimes in Sanskrit. On some days the Swam: sang. On June 24 the Swami reached the palace about 9.30 a.m. and had discussions with the Raja until lunch time. About 5 p.m. they were joined by Thakur Mukund Singhji of Jaleswar (near Aligarh), and Har Bilas Sarda, President of the Arya Samaj at Ajmer. On June 27 the Swami lunched and talked with the Raja, and afterwards he sang while the Raja accompanied him on the harmonium.. More or less the same routine was followed on July 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, and 17. On July 18 the Raja invited some honoured guests for dinner. Besides the Swami were Thakur Fateh Singhji Rathor, Thakur Mukund Singhji Chouhan of Jaleswar, and Man Singhji of Jamnagar. They listened to the playing of the Sitar by one Choubeyji. Afterwards they took dinner about midnight.

Har Bilas Sarda, mentioned above, met the Swami more than once at Mount Abu, and again at Ajmer. He later distin-guished himself as a historian of Rajputana, and as the member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India who championed the Child Marriage Restraint Act, popularly known as the `Sarda Act'. He writes of these days at Mount Abu as follows:_x000d_ . . . I met Swami Vivekananda four times. The first time I met him was at Mount Abu. It was sometime in the year 1889 or 1890 [June 1891] in the month of May or June (I do not recollect which). I went to Mount Abu to stay with my friend T. [Thakur] Mukund Singh of Chhalasar [Jaleswar], Aligarh district, who was staying at Mount Abu for the hot season. When I reached there, I found Swami Vivekananda staying with T. Mukund Singh. T. Mukund Singh was an Arya Samajist and a follower of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. I stopped with my friend for about ten days and we, Swamiji and I, were together there and talked on various subjects. I was about 21 years old then and was impressed by Swami Vivekananda's personality. He was a most delightful talker and was very well informed. We used to go out for our afternoon walks. After dinner the first day, Swami Vivekananda gave a song at Thakur Sahib's request. He sang in a most melodious tone, which gave me a great delight. I was charmed by his songs, and every day I begged him to give one or two songs. His musical voice and his manner have left a lasting impression on me. We sometimes talked about Vedanta, with which I had some acquaintance. . . . Swami Vivekananda's talks on Vedanta greatly interested me. His views on various subjects were most welcome to me, as they were very patriotic. He was full of love of motherland and of Hindu culture. The time I passed in his company was one of the most pleasant times I have passed in my life. His independence of character particularly impressed me.

After the usual formalities the Raja asked him, "Swamiji, what is life?" The Swami replied, "Life is the unfoldment and development of a being under circumstances tending to press it down." The Swami's own life of hardship and renunciation caused a world of feeling to appear in his words. Impressed, the Raja next asked, "Well, Swamiji, what then is education?" The response was, "I should say, education is the nervous association of certain ideas." And he went on to explain this statement, saying that not until ideas had been made instincts could they be reckoned as real and vital possessions of consciousness. Then he told of the life of Shri Ramakrishna. The Raja listened attentively, his soul rapt in a burning passion for Truth, as words of spiritual nectar fell from the Swami's lips.

For days Raja Ajit Singhji of Khetri listened to the monk's words of wisdom. So devoted to him did he become that one day he said, "Swamiji, do come with me to my State. You will live with me there, and I shall serve you with my whole heart." The Swami, after reflecting for a moment, said, "Very well, Your Highness, I shall be glad to accompany you." Accordingly, when the Raja and his retinue left Mount Abu on July 24, the Swami went with him. Next morning they reached Jaipur, where they stayed at Khetri House.