Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

The father of Mukunda's friend, Santosh, is a confirmed agnostic who wants to take a cynical look at Yukteswar. Yukteswar tells Mukunda later that Dr. Roy is a "dead man," and has only six weeks to live, but he extends his life for another six months, saying if the doctor wears an astrological bangle and stops eating meat, his life may continue. The doctor, a veterinarian, refuses to wear the bracelet and after falling ill and recovering, refuses to stop eating meat, as well. He dies suddenly, as Yukteswar predicted.

Yukteswar tells a devotee named Sasi to obtain a two-carat sapphire to help himself overcome his wild and undisciplined lifestyle. Sasi did not heed his advice, but a year later appeared with three sapphires as the master had predicted, as well as pulmonary tuberculosis. He sends Sasi away and tells him...