He was not an avaricious man.
Dismissing the physician, the _Brahmachari_ sent Haro Mani about other
work, and entered into conversation with Surja Mukhi, who said--
"Thakur, why have you taken so much trouble about me? There is no need
to do so on my account."
"What trouble have I taken?" replied the _Brahmachari_; "this is my
work. To assist others is my vocation; if I had not been occupied with
you, some one else in similar circumstances would have required my
services."
"Then leave me, and attend to others. You can assist others, you
cannot help me."
"Wherefore?" asked the _Brahmachari_.
"To restore me to health will not help me. Death alone will give me
peace. Last night, when I fell down by the roadside, I hoped that I
should die. Why did you save me?"
"I knew not that you were in such deep trouble. But however deep it
is, self-destruction is a great sin. Never be guilty of such an act.
To kill one's self is as sinful as to kill another."
"I have not tried to kill myself; death has approached voluntarily,
therefore I hoped; but even in dying I have no joy." Saying these
words, Surja Mukhi's voice broke, and she began to weep.
The _Brahmachari_ said: "Whenever you speak of dying I see you weep;
you wish to die.
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