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CH. XVIII. TIRUPATI. 125
entered the gate Sanbaka, visited in order Madai-ppalli (cookrooms),
Ydga-sdla and Tiru-mcl-mani-maiulapcL, Vishvaksena
and Vengad,a-tt-ari (Ifvisimha). Here he looked up reverently
at the Anandanilaya vimana., (cupola over the Holy of Holies),
crossed the Kulasekhara threshold, until at last his vision
was blessed with the Blissful Image of Srlniv&sa within—the
God in the Heart— resplendent with all the Holy Weapons and
Ornaments, and Sri in His Bosom.' " Abode of Grace (SrinivSsa)
! " R^manuja exclaimed, " I have fallen at Thy Holy
Feet," and so saying, he stretched himself before God, and
rising, stood transfixed before the Beatific Spectacle, withliands
raised and folded. Tirtha and prasdda were given, which he
received in all humility and stayed to see the ablution-ceremony
(Tiriiviaujanavi), and the SaZt-festival of Azhaga-p-pirdn.
" This is indeed Heaven," he cried, " this is indeed the abode
of angels ; I must not stay here long lest I desecrate the Holy
Place." " But three days in a Holy Shi-ine, the visitor ought
to stay," remonstrated Purna. " So be it," said Ramsinuja,
and after three days were over, he walked into the Shrine, Pftrna
leading, to take leave. As he stood before Lord Si-in!vd.sa, a
voice came from Him (I'.e , the Image) :
" Have we not already
conferred on thee
in our Southern House (=Srirangam) both
the kingdoms, the material as well as the spiritual (Uhhaya-
.vibMti) ? " " Thy pleasure. Almighty "
! responded Ramanuja j
and descended the Holy Hill with Purna.
In the Lower Tirupati, Ramanuja sojourned for a year in
the house of Srisaila-purna, partaking of his food there and
reading with him the Rdmdyana, the first of the Itihdeas.
Here he found Govinda—his maternal couein^engaged in doing
all kinds of services to Purna. One day, R4manuja found him
prepare the bed for his Guru, and sleep on it first himself.
He reported this strange conduct of Govinda to Purna, who
seut for him and asked for an explanation, enquiring further
what punishment a disciple, who so behaved, deserved ?
•
Sri=the Logos=the Sophia =the Son in the bosom. Cp : John T,
18: " The only-begotten Son who is in the losim of the Father." See
Topics 135 and 137 in our Divine Wisdmn.