Part 40 (2/2)

When I sat for the exalance at the questions caused tears of gratitude to pour forth, wetting my paper The classroom monitor cauru foretold that Romesh would help me,” I explained ”Look; the very questions dictated to me by Romesh are here on the examination sheet! Fortunately for lish authors, whose lives are wrapped in deep house was in an uproar when I returned The boys who had been ridiculing Ro looked atthe week of the examinations, I spent ht were likely to be set by the professors

Day by day, Romesh's questions appeared in almost the same form on the examination sheets

The neidely circulated in the college that so, and that success seemed probable for the absent-minded ”Mad Monk” I made no attempt to hide the facts of the case The local professors were powerless to alter the questions, which had been arranged by Calcutta University

Thinking over the exa that I had made a serious error One section of the questions had been divided into two parts of A or B, and C or D

Instead of answering one question from each part, I had carelessly answered both questions in Group I, and had failed to consider anything in Group II The best mark I could score in that paper would be 33, three less than the passing mark of 36 I rushed to Master and poured out my troubles

”Sir, I have made an unpardonable blunder I don't deserve the divine blessings through Romesh; I am quite unworthy”

”Cheer up, Mukunda” Sri Yukteswar's tones were light and unconcerned

He pointed to the blue vault of the heavens ”It is e their positions in space than it is for you to fail in getting your degree!”

I left the herh it seemed mathematically inconceivable that I could pass I looked once or twice apprehensively into the sky; the Lord of Day appeared to be securely anchored in his customary orbit!

As I reached the PANTHI, I overheard a classmate's remark: ”I have just learned that this year, for the first tilish literature has been lowered”

I entered the boy's room with such speed that he looked up in alar-haired ly, ”why this sudden interest in scholastic matters? Why cry in the eleventh hour? But it is true that the passing mark has just been lowered to 33 points”

A few joyous leaps took me into my own room, where I sank to my knees and praised the mathematical perfections of my Divine Father

Every day I thrilled with the consciousness of a spiritual presence that I clearly felt to be guiding nificant incident occurred in connection with the exaali

Romesh, who had touched little on that subject, called house on my way to the exa for you,” a classmate said to me impatiently

”Don't return; we shall be late at the hall”

Ignoring the advice, I ran back to the house

”The Bengali exaali boys,” Romesh told me ”But I have just had a hunch that this year the professors have planned toquestions from our ancient literature” My friend then briefly outlined two stories froar, a renowned philanthropist

I thanked Roe hall

The exaali proved to contain two parts The first instruction was: ”Write two instances of the charities of Vidyasagar” As I transferred to the paper the lore that I had so recently acquired, I whispered a feords of thanksgiving that I had heeded Roar's benefactions toultiali exa in one subject, I would have been forced to stand exa year Such a prospect was understandably abhorrent

The second instruction on the sheet read: ”Write an essay in Bengali on the life of the man who has most inspired you” Gentle reader, I need not infore after page with praise of uru, I s true: ”I will fill up the sheets with your teachings!”

I had not felt inclined to question Ro under Sri Yukteswar, I safely disregarded the textbook explanations The highest iven to any of my papers was the one in philosophy My score in all other subjects was just barely within the passing mark

It is a pleasure to record that ree curaduation ”I hardly thought you would pass, Mukunda,” he confessed ”You spend so uru” Master had indeed correctly detected the unspoken criticism of my father

For years I had been uncertain that I would ever see the day when an AB would followthat it was a divine gift, conferred on e e reraduation That admission consoles me a bit for my undoubted acaderee frouru's feet and thanked hi from his life into mine