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116 YAJNBSA AND VAllADA. CH. XVIII.
kuta or Chidambai-am, but liearing that it was infested with
the most bigotted Saivas, left tlie place ihinking that it would
not be possible for hiui to introduce any reform in the place
in a hurry.
He next an-ivecl at Aslita-Kahasra-griinia, where he had
two disciples by name Yajnesa and Varadarya.' Of these,
YaiuSSa was very ricli and Varada very poor. To the former
Kamauuja sent two of his disciples to announce his arrival, and
ask him to be his good liost during his halt. Yajn6.Sa, when
the disciples came, was in an arrogant mood and heeded them
not ; thinking that when Ramanuja cliose to come himself to
his doors, he would receive him in proper form. At this cold
treatment, the disciples returned to Ramanuja with fallen faces
and reported to him the conduct of YajiieSa. " Then we shall
not enter his doors," said R£im4nuja, " we ihall go to our poor
disciple Varada at once and without notice." So saying, they
threaded their way to Varada's lowly hut. But he was absent
on his daily begging rounds. His wife, the good Paratti-kkollai,
espied them coming. She wished to step forward and
welcome them, but slie had such a thread-bare garment to
cover her—owing to abject poverty—that she conld not with any
decorum show hei'self to any. So, she sheltered herself behind
a door, and clapped her hands so that Raniftnuja might take it
for a signal of welcome, and not go away elsewhere, as that
would be disastrous to her soul's welfare, inasmuch as RAmS,-
nuja's condescension in having come to her poor house would
prove profitless.
R£lma.nuja at once understood the delicate situation
in which the poor lady was placed, and taking off the
colored cloth which covered his head, flung it through a window
into the house. She picked it up and wearing it, approached
Rftmanuja whom, in welcoming to her house, she prostrated
most humbly and said :— " O my gracious Guru, you are most
welcome to my humble cottage. Pray accept this water for
1 The latter's fuU name is Parutli-l-loUai Vnvadlushkrya, and his
wife is the famous Paruili-k .kollai Kacchiyir, Saiiskritized into Karpls-
SiriUiiamba.