On the next day in one of the private chambers in the Abbey of Bliss three dejected captains of The Children were talking together. Jivananda asked Satyananda : " Maharaj, why have the gods grown offended with us ? For what fault have we been beaten by the Mussulmans ? " " The gods are not averse " said Satyananda. " In warfare you have defeats as well as victories. The other day we were victorious, to-day we are worsted. It is the final victory that is worth the name. I am sure that Vishnu who has ever been so kind to us with his conch, disc, club and lotus will prove as kind again. We will have to carry through the vow which we have taken with the touch of His sacred foot. If we fail, eternal Hell shall be our lot. I have no doubt about our ultimate success, but we have to recognise that, as no work can succeed without divine grace, so too is human enterprize necessary for everything. The reason for our defeat is that we have no arms. What can sticks and spears do before cannons, guns and shot ? So we have been beaten because we were wanting in enterprize. What we have now to do is to see that we may not lack those arms in future." " It is a difficult thing/' said Jivananda. " Difficult, Jivananda ! " answered Satyananda, in surprise. l< How
