Then the Master smiled and manifested His true form in which were blended Krishna, the Prince of delight (_ras_) and God, the Supreme Emotion. In rapture Rámánanda fainted and rolled on the ground. The Master touched his arm and brought him back to his senses. Then the Ray beheld the Master looking like a _sannyasi_; but the latter embraced him and soothed him thus, "Who else than you can behold this form? You know fully my essence and mysterious exploits (_lilá_); hence have I shown you this form. My body is not of a fair complexion, but this complexion is due to contact with Radha's body. She touches none except the Prince of the Cowherds. I make my own heart imagine her emotions, and thus I taste the delicious sweetness of Krishna. My acts are not hidden from you. Even if I were to conceal any, you would know it by the compelling force of your love. Keep this matter a secret from the public, lest people should laugh at my endeavours as those of a mad man. I am a mad man, and so are you; we two are a match!" Thus did the Master spend ten days happily in sweet discourse about Krishna with Rámánanda Ray. Much did He discuss the secret pleasure-sport of Brindában, but could not come to the end of the subject. If a man discovers a mine with copper, bronze, silver, gold, gem, and the wishing stone deposited in successive layers, he comes upon richer and richer things as he goes on digging. Similarly did the Master question Rámá Ráy and get his answer. Next day He took leave of the Ray and ordered him, "Give up your earthly concerns and go to Puri, where I shall soon return after finishing my pilgrimage. There we shall live together passing our days happily in talking about Krishna." So saying He sent Rámánanda home with an embrace, and then lay down to sleep. At dawn the Master saw a Hanuman (monkey), bowed to it, and set out. All classes of people at Vidya-pur, on meeting with the Master, quitted their own faiths and turned Vaishnav. Rámánanda was distracted by the absence of the Master and ever meditated on Him, utterly disregarding all his own affairs. Chaitanya's character is by nature like thickened milk, Rámánanda's character is sugar added to it, and the dalliance of Radha and Krishna is like camphor thrown into this compound, which only the fortunate can taste. He who once drinks it in through his ears, can never leave it for its deliciousness. All spiritual truths are learnt if you hear it; it creates faith and love in Radha-Krishna's feet. Know the hidden truth of Chaitanya from this episode. Attend to it with faith; do not reason. This supernatural deed is deeply mysterious. You can realize it if you believe, but reasoning will only set it afar off. This precious thing is for them only whose sole riches are the feet of Shri Chaitanya, Nityánanda, and Adwaita! I have celebrated the Meeting with Rámánanda on the basis of Damodar Swarup's Diary (_Karchá_). [Text, canto 8.]