{FN10-7} "Divine teacher," the customary Sanskrit term for one's
spiritual preceptor. I have rendered it in English as simply
"Master."



CHAPTER: 11

TWO PENNILESS BOYS IN BRINDABAN

"It would serve you right if Father disinherited you, Mukunda! How
foolishly you are throwing away your life!" An elder-brother sermon
was assaulting my ears.

Jitendra and I, fresh from the train (a figure of speech merely;
we were covered with dust), had just arrived at the home of Ananta,
recently transferred from Calcutta to the ancient city of Agra.
Brother was a supervising accountant for the Bengal-Nagpur Railway.

"You well know, Ananta, I seek my inheritance from the Heavenly
Father."

"Money first; God can come later! Who knows? Life may be too long."

"God first; money is His slave! Who can tell? Life may be too
short."

My retort was summoned by the exigencies of the moment, and held
no presentiment. Yet the leaves of time unfolded to early finality