But Sanátan urged, "Some one else will murder me for the money. Accept it and save my life." Then the land-owner sent four footmen of his own, who led Sanátan across the hill by the forest paths at night. Emerging from the hill Sanátan asked Ishan, "I know you have still something left." "Yes, one gold coin," answered Ishán. Sanátan said, "Return home with it." So, leaving him, the holy man set out alone, a bowl in his hand, a tattered quilt on his back, and (therefore) fearless (of robbers). In course of time he reached Hajipur,[1] and in the evening sat down in a garden. His brother-in-law, Shrikánta, a royal officer, lived here, entrusted by the Sultan with three _lakhs_ of Rupees to buy and despatch horses. From a height he discerned Sanátan, and at night came to him with only one attendant. The two had a friendly meeting, and Sanátan told the tale of his escape. Shrikanta said, "Stay here a day or two. Put on decent robes and cast off your rags." Sanátan replied, "No, I shall not linger a minute here. Help me to cross the Ganges, I shall go away at once." Shrikánta with care gave him a Bhutia blanket and ferried him over. Sanátan in time reached Benares, where he was glad to hear of the Master's arrival. Going to Chandra Shekhar's house, he sat down at the gate. The Master, knowing it, told Chandra Shekhar, "There is a Vaishnav at the gate. Bring him in." Chandra Shekhar reported to the Master that there was no Vaishnav but only a _darvesh_ at the gate. The Master replied, "Well, bring him in." Glad to be called, Sanátan entered. When he was in the court-yard, the Master rushed out and embraced him in rapture. At His touch Sanátan was overcome by love and cried out in a faltering voice, "Touch me not! touch me not!" The two wept ceaselessly, clasping each other's necks, to the wonder of Chandra Shekhar. Then the Master took him by the hand and seated him by His side on the _veranda_ of the house, stroking Sanátan's body with His own hands. Sanátan cried, "Touch me not, Master!" but the Master answered, "I touch you to purify myself. Through the strength of your faith you can cleanse the whole universe. Witness the _Bhágabat_, I. xiii. 8, VII. ix. 9. By seeing, touching, and praising a _bhakta_ like you, all my senses are gratified, as the scripture asserts. _Vide_ the _Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya_, xiii. 2."