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 THE TOUCH OF HOLINESS.

CHAPTER I. RAMANANDA SWAMI.

IN a monastery at Monghyr a monk was passing a few days. His name was Ramananda Swami. The ascetic we have alluded to before, was deferentially talking to him. Many believed Rarnananda Swami to be emancipated. Certainly he was second to none in wisdom. It was said that he alone knew the extinct philosophy and sciences of India. He said :-

“Listen, my son Chandrashekhar. Use the knowledge you have gained with caution. Let not misery ﬁnd place in your heart, as there is no such thing as absolute pain. Pleasure and pain are equal, or rather the wise consider them to be equal. If you make any distinction, then those who are known as virtuous or happy will be found miserable all their lives."

In illustration, he slightly adverted to the cases of Jajati, Harish Chandra, Dasarath and other ancient kings of India. He brieﬂy referred to Ramchandra, Yudhisthira, Nala and others. He pointed out that even very pious kings, ruling over extensive empires, were miserable all their lives and seldom happy. Then he slightly mentioned Vashistha, Vishwamitra, and other sages, and showed that they too were