BENGALI WRITINGS

14Bengali Writingsfeeling of shame coupled with his own arrogance and selfishnesshad put a curb on his affection. Frightened by thememory of a thousand sins the old man was trembling, buthe did not have the courage or the strength to mend hisevil ways. Now and then thoughts of death and of the otherworld came to him and filled him with terror. Harimohonsaw also that from behind these morbid thoughts thehideous messenger of death was constantly peeping out andknocking at the door. Whenever this happened, the old man'sheart sank and he frantically screamed with fear.Horrified by this sight Harimohon looked at the boyand exclaimed, “Why, Keshta! I used to think this man thehappiest of all!” The boy replied, “Just there lies my power.Tell me now which of the two is mightier — this TinkariSheel or Sri Krishna, the master of Vaikuntha? Look,Harimohon, I too have the police, sentinels, government,law, justice, I too can play the game of being a king; doyou like this game?” “No, my child,” answered Harimohon,“it is a very cruel game. Why, do you like it?” Theboy laughed and declared, “I like all sorts of games; I liketo whip as well as to be whipped.” Then he continued. “Yousee, Harimohon, people like you look at the outward appearanceof things and have not yet cultivated the subtle power of lookinginside. Therefore you grumble that you are miserable andTinkari is happy. This man has no material want; still, comparedto you, how much more this millionaire is suffering!Can you guess why? Happiness is a state of mind, miseryalso is a state of mind. Both are only mind-created. He Whopossesses nothing, whose only possessions are difficulties,even he, if he wills, can be greatly happy. But just as youcannot find happiness after spending your days in dry piety,and as you are always dwelling upon your miseries so toothis man who spends his days in sins which give him no realpleasure is now thinking only of his miseries. All this is