[Illustration: (Left to Right) Jitendra Mazumdar, my companion
on the "penniless test" at Brindaban; Lalit-da, my cousin; Swami
Kebelananda ("Shastri Mahasaya"), my saintly Sanskrit tutor; myself,
as a high school youth--see friends.jpg]

[Illustration: Ananda Moyi Ma, the Bengali "Joy-Permeated Mother."--see
amoyima.jpg]

[Illustration: One of the caves occupied by Babaji in the Drongiri
Mountains near Ranikhet in the Himalayas. A grandson of Lahiri
Mahasaya, Ananda Mohan Lahiri (second from right, in white), and
three other devotees are visiting the sacred spot.--see cave.jpg]

"Good-by, young friends." Our two acquaintances walked to the door.
"We shall meet again, if God be willing."

"You are welcome here." Gauri Ma smiled in motherly fashion on her
two unexpected charges. "You could not have come on a better day.
I was expecting two royal patrons of this hermitage. What a shame
if my cooking had found none to appreciate it!"

These appetizing words had disastrous effect on Jitendra: he burst
into tears. The "prospect" he had feared in Brindaban was turning
out as royal entertainment; his sudden mental adjustment proved
too much for him. Our hostess looked at him with curiosity, but
without remark; perhaps she was familiar with adolescent quirks.

Lunch was announced; Gauri Ma led the way to a dining patio, spicy
with savory odors. She vanished into an adjoining kitchen.