Page:The Gospel of Râmakrishna.djvu/369

 ciples were seated round Him. From time to time He was taking out spices from a small pouch. Mahendra, entering, bowed down and saluted His feet. Sri Ramakrishna (affectionately) : Mahendra ! You here! Is there no school to-day ? Mahendra: I have come directly from school. I had just now nothing of importance to attend to there. A devotee: No, Revered Sir, he is playing the truant. Mahendra (to himself): Ah me ! It is as if some Invisible Force had drawn me to this place. The Bhagavan then grew more serious and bade them take their seats. He said: For some time past I have not been able to touch any metal. Can you tell me why it is? Once when I put my hand on a metal cup, it was hurt as if stung by a horned fish and the pain lasted for a long while. I had to use a metal pitcher and I thought that I should be able to carry it by covering it with a towel; but no sooner did I touch it than I had excruciating pain in my hand. Then I prayed to my Divine Mother: "O Mother! I shall never touch metal again. Do Thou forgive me this time."