We ate a small round ball of opium.

He then took position on the floor and waited until the effect was there

After I had washed my hands and adopted a martial art pose behind him, he welcomed me into the free citadel of Hampi.

Doing quick tai-chi motions I followed his words and went through the door:

- “Om Shiva shankara hari hari Ganga!” which accompanied an inward staccato pulse of my stomach.

Later I assumed an upright position and began to understand the sacred.