sensation in body and head. To add to the anxiety, the story of a wild bear appearing in the neighbourhood and tearing up the village watchman was circulated. As the Ashrama was surrounded by thickets, the bear could appear anywhere there - so the people thought. Also, an insane man intruded into the place at night, spreading consternation among the women but the Mother pacified him with kind words and some food.
Amidst all this, well-wishers were not wanting to suggest occult cures for Radhu, on whom medicines seemed to have little effect. One was Nalini Devi's suggestion to get the 'bangle' of the 'Mad Kali' of Troll, a place seventeen miles away, and make Radhu wear it. Instances of its curative effect were cited. The bangle was brought one evening, hung on a tree for the night as it should not be placed on floor, and Radhu made to wear it the next day. But it had no effect on Radhu's implacable neurasthenia. Next came the compelling demand of Radhu's own mother, who was very angry at her being brought away from Calcutta, that application of ice on her head was the one remedy called for. Ice was procured with difficulty, and an ice cap applied. Uncle Kali, on seeing this, ridiculed this acceptance of a mad woman's prescription. His own experience of men and their ailments convinced him that Radhu's was not a physical ailment but a case of possession by some demigod or ghost, who could surely be exorcized by a certain expert Tantrika sorcerer of Sushnegede. The Tantrika was approached, invited and received with all ceremony. He was given a full account of Radhu's conditions. He was quick in understanding all details