Shukra. I cannot go.
Old Man. Thou canst not go? Dost thou not know that thy mother is on her death-bed?
Shukra. I have renounced the world. For twelve years I have had no father, nor mother.
Old Man. Thou didst leave us, but we did not renounce thee. And now thou shouldst come.
Shukra. I told thy messenger that I have no father nor mother,—I cannot come.
Old Man. I heard it all. If you art born of us, thou canst not have a heart of stone? Come, my son: I, thy father, implore thee.
Shukra. Nay, nay; God alone is my father.
Old Man. Hath it not been said in the scriptures that thy parents are thy God? Thy father should be obeyed.
Shukra. That was said by one who had not seen the Truth, the Light.
Old Man. I command thee in the name of the Scriptures.