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126 GOVINDA'B DEVOTION. OH. XVltt
Govinda submissively said :
" Sucb an act, Site ! sux'ely
deserves perdition, but listen. If by my trying your bed
myself beforehand, I make myself sure there be nothing in
it rough or knotty which may press against your soft body,
sure there be no insect to bite and disturb you when you sleep,
it matters little if I go to hell." Kaniflnuja was delightfully
astonished at this strange explanation, and his love towards
Govinda increased.
On another day, R&mannja had gone out on a visit to
Purna's Holy Garden ;
while he was returning, on the way he
observed Govinda put his fingers into the fangs of a snake
and withdrawing them go to bathe, and proceed to Purna's
house to perform the usual services. Feeling curious at this
unusual act of Govinda's, he questioned him. He explained
that he saw^ the suake open its mouth as he approached and he
found, on examinination, tliat it had a thorn on its tongue. He
extracted the same from it to relieve the suffering creature, and
then went about his business, " What a tender heart possessest
thou, Govinda!" said Kam4nuja to him, struck with
wonder.
The reading of the Holy Ramayana was now finished.'
And R&manuja humbly begged Purna's permission to return to
Srirangam. You have come so far, noble soul," said Purna
" what have I done for you ? " " Sire," answered Ramanuja,
" when I learnt that our dear Govinda went astray, it caused
* The following iuscriptional charya, thnt one dar when he was
notes will be useful :— [pp. 28-29, engaged in the service of God
Vol. III. Epigraphia :— Carnataca, Venkatfea at Tirup.iti, the God was
by B. L. Rice] " The grant in heard to say to him, " Give me
this case was made, it is said, to a water, Tata !
" whence he acquired
grandson of Srisailapurna or T3,tA.- tlie name of T4tacharya.
chirya, who had received the name The following memorial verse,
of Ttlta from (the God) Venkatesa recited even now by all Srivaish-
(of Tirupati), and was guru to the navas before comnienciug'i?