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CH. XIX. GOVINDA'S CHARACTER. 129
CHAPTER XIX.
GOVIITDA'S CHARACTER.
Thus did EAmrlnuia make hi.s first holy pilgi'iraago, and
was now settled again for another term in Srirangain, imparting
instruction to hi.s followers on the holy science of VedS,nta,
lioth in Girvdna and Drdvida. Govinda, amongst them, di'ank
deeply of lliis knowledge, and felt more and moi'O attracted to
R3jmfl,nuja, iu mind as well as in heart,—an attachment which
was enhanced moreover by the fascination of Rd,m3,nuja"s
gloi-ious person and services rendered to him, with unflagging
solicitude.
One day, RamElnuja was conducting his ministry in a large
as-sembly of tha faithful, when the latter applauded Govinda
for his estimable qualities, such as wisdom devotion, selfabnegation,
and devotedness to his spiritual preceptor.
Govinda,
all the while, nodded assent. B^manuja obsei-ving, questioned
"
: How is it, Govinda, whilst it is seemly for othors to
heap plaudits on thee for thy perfections, thou dost not think
it unseemly to accept them all ? When others exalt us, we
must not allow ourselves to be piqued, but profess humility.
That would be more becoming indeed!" "Noble Sire," said
Govinda, " pardon me if I explain to you why I nodded assent.
Their praise means:— 'Dog, thou a.i-t, — ganitrus seeds
round thy neck,— running hither and thither with pot-fulls of
water to Kalahasti-gods !, To this I mud nod ' yes.' Their
praise next means :
— ' Divine thou art, that thou hast been
redeemed from evil paths by our Saviour llamanuja—a very
God on earth. Not like ourselves, but sunk as thou wove in
abysmal depths of rottenness, thou hast been lifted by Ramanuja,
and elevated to a state where thou hast good reason to
is equal to me on earth ? Who is equal to
exclaim : '
Who
me in heaven ? ', Heart ! good, good, glory thou hast won.'
To this again I muht nod ' yes.' For where their eulogy of mo
is but commendation of yourself and your glory on earth, I
liave no other alternative but to say ' yes.' On hearing this,
Ramanuja was simply enchanted with Govinda, and saying,
'good, good', drew him warmly to his bosom, and cried:
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