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118 VAllADlllVA. CH. XVIII.
ried to the mercliant, and forcing a inost bewitching smile into
her face to please him, fsaid "
: Good man, time has now arrived
for the fulfilment of thy long-cherished desire. Mj Guru
is pleased to come to my house. And I have to entertain
them, for which all food-stuffs and vessels are wanted.
Please
order them at once." The merchant, studying the standing
beauty more than ever, and inflamed at the overtures she herself
made this time, obeyed her commands without a word, and
sent an abundance of things with her. The good woman stood
before Ramanuja in all humility with these things. He was
struck with her devotion and commanded that she should herself
cook for him,—a great privilege, indeed, bestowed on a
woman by a holy person (in India). She did so. And RSimS.-
nuja and his disciples, after bathing and worshipping God,
partook of the holy food, offered him in
love, and rested in her
house, his whole being pulsating with blessings for her.
While thus Bdim&nuja was resting in his loving votary's
house,Yarad§.rya, the husband, returned home after his begging.
The good wife related to him all the circumstances beginning
with the Guru's arrival and up to the repast which she was able
to spread before liim during his absence, and the worship and joy
which she, in his absence, was able to give to the illustrious
guest. " Madam," said the liusband jubilant, " though thou art
young, thy wits are eld ;
else how couldst thou have done such
a grand task ? Thou art not a wife, but a goddess I ken thee.
Nor art thou a nominal disciple, for, for thy saviour, thou hast
sacrificed all, even thy woman's honor." Applauding Ler thus
he went to Ktlmanuja and clasped his feet firmly ; then rising
and with palms joined, praised him thus "
: Prince of men
King of ascetics ! a thousand salutations to thee. For the
redemption of things life-ful and lifeless, thou art born amongst
us, Vishnu Himself, the Lord of the Universe. Thou art allknowing,
and all-wise, and art the very reflection of Hari. As
in a deep dark well, wallow creatures entangled in the meshes
of their varied deeds, who else but thou art able to lift them
from this dismal abyss ? who but the magician can draw the
venom out of the cobra-bittm can
dispel darkness ? what but cool water can allay a man's thirst ?