Vedantic Tales : The Blue Pellet

At length she spoke, smiling wanly. There will be time enough for that after I am gone. I had not thought you would leave me

But, Mother ...

Besides, you are too young to know your own mind. Holy men have great power. You talk with them at the river day after day, neglecting your legal studies; you have been carried away. I had hoped you would become a great lawyer. I had hoped you would marry and have children.

Madhav shook his head violently.

If you become a monk, what will become of our family name? Who will carry it on? It would be different if I had other sons. But you are all I have, Madhav. She let her eyes fall, and then looked up into a corner of the ceiling, as though seeing there the beginning of a long and unbearably bleak road that led off to nowhere. I will be alone, she said. Then she turned to him and smiled, patting his hand. But I won't stand in your way. You must do as you please. What does an old woman like me matter?

Oh, Mother! Madhav exclaimed miserably.

But you should give more time to searching your mind. She took his hand in hers and looked deeply into his face. Doesn't a mother know her own boy better than anyone? You are not fitted for a sannyasin life, Madhav. Your way is that of the householder.

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