Early in their married life, my parents became disciples of a
great master, Lahiri Mahasaya of Benares. This contact strengthened
Father's naturally ascetical temperament. Mother made a remarkable
admission to my eldest sister Roma: "Your father and myself live
together as man and wife only once a year, for the purpose of having
children."

Father first met Lahiri Mahasaya through Abinash Babu, {FN1-8}
an employee in the Gorakhpur office of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway.
Abinash instructed my young ears with engrossing tales of many Indian
saints. He invariably concluded with a tribute to the superior
glories of his own guru.

"Did you ever hear of the extraordinary circumstances under which
your father became a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya?"

It was on a lazy summer afternoon, as Abinash and I sat together
in the compound of my home, that he put this intriguing question.
I shook my head with a smile of anticipation.

"Years ago, before you were born, I asked my superior officer-your
father-to give me a week's leave from my Gorakhpur duties in order
to visit my guru in Benares. Your father ridiculed my plan.

"'Are you going to become a religious fanatic?' he inquired.
'Concentrate on your office work if you want to forge ahead.'

"Sadly walking home along a woodland path that day, I met your
father in a palanquin. He dismissed his servants and conveyance,