“Mukunda, I have not seen my family in months. I have changed my mind; perhaps later I shall visit your master in Serampore.” My friend, who may mildly be described as vacillating in temperament, left me in Calcutta. By local train I soon reached Serampore, twelve miles to the north. A throb of wonderment stole over me as I realized that twenty-eight days had elapsed since the Benares meeting with my guru. “You will come to me in four weeks!” Here I was, heart pounding, standing within his courtyard on quiet Rai Ghat Lane. I entered for the first time the hermitage where I was to spend the best part of the next ten years with India’s JYANAVATAR, “incarnation of wisdom.” {FN11-1} See chapter 25. {FN11-2} The world-famous mausoleum.. {FN11-3} A DHOTI-cloth is knotted around the waist and covers the legs.. {FN11-4} Brindaban, in the Muttra district of United Provinces, is the Hindu Jerusalem. Here Lord Krishna displayed his glories for the benefit of mankind.. {FN11-5} Hari; an endearing name by which Lord Krishna is known to his devotees. {FN11-6} An Indian sweetmeat.. {FN11-7} A mythological gem with power to grant desires. {FN11-8} Spiritual initiation; from the Sanskrit root DIKSH, to dedicate oneself. CHAPTER: 12 YEARS IN MY MASTER’S HERMITAGE “You have come.” Sri Yukteswar greeted me from a tiger skin on the floor of a balconied sitting room. His voice was cold, his manner unemotional. “Yes, dear Master, I am here to follow you.” Kneeling, I touched his feet. “How can that be? You ignore my wishes.” “No longer, Guruji! Your wish shall be my law!” “That is better! Now I can assume responsibility for your life.” “I willingly transfer the burden, Master.” “My first request, then, is that you return home to your family. I want you to enter college in Calcutta. Your education should be continued.” “Very well, sir.” I hid my consternation. Would importunate books pursue me down the years? First Father, now Sri Yukteswar! “Someday you will go to the West. Its people will lend ears more receptive to India’s ancient wisdom if the strange Hindu teacher has a university degree.” “You know best, Guruji.” My gloom departed. The reference to the West I found puzzling, remote; but my opportunity to please Master by obedience was vitally immediate. “You will be near in Calcutta; come here whenever you find time.” “Every day if possible, Master! Gratefully I accept your authority in every detail of my life-on one condition.” “Yes?” “That you promise to reveal God to me!” An hour-long verbal tussle ensued. A master’s word cannot be falsified; it is not lightly given. The implications in the pledge open out vast metaphysical vistas. A guru must be on intimate terms indeed with the Creator before he can obligate Him to appear! I sensed Sri Yukteswar’s divine unity, and was determined, as his disciple, to press my advantage. “You are of exacting disposition!” Then Master’s consent rang out with compassionate finality: