A VISION 91 



But what really thrills us is the thought that, 

 incredibly high though it is, yet that heaven is part 

 of earth, and may conceivably be attained by man. 

 It is nearly double the height of Mont Blanc and 

 more than six times the height of Ben Nevis, but 

 still it is rooted in earth and part of our own home. 

 This is what causes the stir within us. 



Hardly less striking than its height is its purity 

 and serenity. The subtle tints of colour and the 

 brilliant sunlight dispel any coldness we might feel, 

 while the purity is still maintained. And the 

 serenity is accentuated by the ceaseless movements 

 of the eddying clouds through which the vision is 

 seen. There is about Kinchinjunga the calm and 

 repose of stupendous upward effort successfully 

 achieved. 



A sense of solemn elevation comes upon us as 

 we view the mountain. We are uplifted. The 

 entire scale of being is raised. Our outlook on life 

 seems all at once to have been heightened. And 

 not only is there this sense of elevation : we seem 

 purified also. Meanness, pettiness, paltriness 

 seem to shrink away abashed at the sight of that 

 radiant purity. 



The mountain has made appeal to, and called 

 forth from us all that is most pure and most noble 

 within us, and aroused our highest aspirations. 

 Our heart, therefore, goes out lovingly to it. We 

 long to see it again and again. We long to be 

 always in a mood worthy of it. And we long to 

 have that fineness of soul which would enable us 

 to appreciate it still more fully. Glowing in the 

 heart of the mountain is the pure flame of un- 



