occult phenomena, but put them down to the agency of “spirits.”  Mark one circumstance.  It may be argued that during the pedlar’s stay at Darjiling, Madame Blavatsky was also there, and, who knows, she might have bribed him (!!) into saying what he said.  But no such thing can be urged in the case of the Dehradun Brahmachari.  He knew neither the pedlar nor Madame Blavatsky, had never heard of Colonel Olcott, having just returned from his prolonged journey, and had no idea that I was a Fellow of the Society.  His testimony was entirely voluntary.  Some others, who admit that Mahatmas exist, but that there is no proof of their connection with the Theosophical Society, will be pleased to see that there is no a priori impossibility in those great souls taking an interest in such a benevolent Society as ours.  Consequently it is a gratuitous insult to a number of self-sacrificing men and women to reject their testimony without a fair hearing.

I purposely leave aside all proofs which are already before the public.  Each set of proofs is conclusive in itself, and the cumulative effect of all is simply irresistible.

—­Mohini M. Chatterji

Interview with a Mahatma

At the time I left home for the Himalayas in search of the Supreme Being, having adopted Brahmacharyashrama (religious mendicancy), I was quite ignorant of the fact that there was any such philosophical sect as the Theosophists existing in India, who believed in the existence of the Mahatmas or “superior persons.”  This and other facts connected with my journey are perfectly correct as already published, and so need not be repeated or contradicted.  Now I beg to give a fuller account of my interview with the Mahatmas.

Before and after I met the so-called Mahatma Koothum-pa, I had the good fortune of seeing in person several other Mahatmas of note, a detailed account of whom, I hope, should time allow, to write to you by-and-by.  Here I wish to say something about Koothum-pa only.

When I was on my way to Almora from Mansarowar and Kailas, one day I had nothing with me to eat.  I was quite at a loss how to get on without food.  There being no human habitation in that part of the country, I could expect no help, but pray to God, and take my way patiently on.  Between Mansarowar and Taklakhal, by the side of a road, I observed a tent pitched and several Sadhus (holy men), called Chohans, sitting outside it who numbered about seventeen in all.  As to their dress, &c., what Babu M.M.  Chatterji says is quite correct.  When I went to them they entertained me very kindly, and saluted me by uttering, “Ram Ram.”  Returning their salutations, I sat down with them, and they entered upon conversation with me on different subjects, asking me first the place I was coming from and whither I was going.  There was a chief of them sitting inside the tent, and engaged in reading a book.