Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/122

 Das suddenly announced that he had determined to take his family to Benares. A disciple had come from his Spiritual Instructor with orders to proceed to the ancient place of pilgrimage. Hiranmayi's marriage was at last to take place at Benares. The Spiritual Instructor had chosen a bridegroom there.

Dhana Das with his wife and daughter duly travelled to Benares. Soon after their arrival in the sacred city, Dhana Das's guru, Ananda Swami, paid them a visit, and, having fixed the date of the wedding, directed that all arrangements should be made in accordance with the holy Shastras. All preparations were duly performed, with one exception. There were none of the usual public announcements. Save the merchant's own family, none knew that a marriage was so soon to take place. The indispensable religious preliminaries alone were accomplished.

It was the evening of the wedding day. The auspicious junction of the stars was at nine in the evening. Up to the last moment, there