Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/134

118 when another illustrious pleasure-seeker fell sick, a "monk he would be"; but how, when he grew well, "the d————l of a monk was he"! The Máháráj and his worshippers afterwards found out that they were not quite agreed as to the meaning of "female education," but that mattered little. Jivánlálji Máháráj is spoken of as having been "the best among the brethren." I hope this assertion is meant as a compliment, though I very much fear the being "best" among Vaishnava Máhárvjás is at the best a sorry way of spending one's life in these days. But we cannot judge of these exalted personages from our own standard. It is enough for us that they die sooner or later; and we are thankful for their thus doing the community the only favour in their power. What becomes of them after death it would be idle speculation to enlarge upon; but if I am to trust Vaishnava traditions, death means to them the departure of the wearied soul to Swarga, where its sole occupation is—flirting with the spirits of those who were the choicest among his female friends on earth! The lover and the beloved there "drink delight" in each other's possession—they drink delight, and when their ethereal cravings are not quite