Page:Anandamath, The Abbey of Bliss - Chatterjee.djvu/119



After finishing his evening prayers, Satyananda called Mahendra and said,

"Your daughter still lives."

"Where, Maharaj?"

"Why do you call me 'Maharaj'?"

"Because every body calls you so and I think heads of monasteries are so called everywhere. Where is my daughter, Maharaj?"

" Before you hear that, give me a clear and definite answer as to your wishes to take the vow of The Children?"

"I have made up my mind to take it."

"Then do not want to learn where your daughter is."

"Why, Maharaj?"

"When any one takes this vow, he has to snap all ties that bind him to his wife, children and kinsmen. You have got to expiate even the transgression of seeing the face of your wife or children. Till the Children have reached the consummation of their desire, you may not even look at your daughter's face. So that, if you have decided to take the vow of The Children, what will you do with knowing where your daughter is? You cannot see her by any means now."

"Why this hard rule, sire?"

"The work of The Children is an arduous one and