Mother: How can this be the Karma of so many people? It seems something is wrong.
Swami Santananda: World War I is over. Why then are goods not sold at a cheaper price?
Mother: How is it that people are saying the War has begun once again?
Swami Santananda: They mean in Kabul. So much of suffering, fighting, and killing! Will this usher in a new age, Mother?
Mother (smiling): How can I say? How can I know what will happen by His will? The sin of a king brings ruin to his kingdom. Malice, deceit, killing of holy men-these are all sins. These lead to the suffering of the people and cause providential disturbances like war, earthquake, and famine. War ceases as soon as all the parties calm down a little.
"Ah, how nice was Queen Victoria, the Empress of India! How happily and comfortably people lived then! Now, even a boy of five realizes the pang of suffering; for he complains of having no clothes to wear. Well, how much rice has already been distributed by Sarat?"
Manindra: I can't say exactly how much rice has been distributed. But rice worth thirty-four rupees is distributed every week among the distressed.
Mother: How much rice does every person receive?
Manindra: Everybody receives one quarter of a seer (equivalent to 0.930 kilogram).
Mother: How much does a family get?
Manindra: Six, seven or eight seers according to the size of the family.
Mother: How many people have received the dole?
Manindra: I don't know exactly. But the Muslim women constitute the largest number..
Mother: Yes, the Mohammedans are poorer here. Well where else is Sarat distributing relief?
Manindra: At Bankura, Indpur, and Manbhum. Relief is being given wherever there is famine.
Mother: Are my sons working there?
Swami Santananda: Yes, they are going from the Math.
Manmdra: Indpur is the place where satu was expected to go.
Mother: Satu's sister has been married to a man of Shihar.