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162 HOW THE nnATTARS GREW. CH XXrV.
CHAPTKR XXIV.
BHATTARYA.
Oar readers, in this Chapter, will he treated to the interesting
traits which the new luminary Pari\S.ira Bhatttlrj-a, or
simply Bhattarya, displayed as he gi-ew.
Lord Ranga commanded the
two little brothers to be conveyed
to His Fane, and adopting them, as fashion required, as
his own sons, had cradles swung there in His own chamberi
called the Manattiln and Himself and His Consort Lakshmi
takingcareof them inevery way. The Lord had >villed that before
He accepted the courses of daily food offered to him, the children
should be first served ; nay, that they should help themselves
to what dishes they pleased by allowing them to toddle about
to the place where the food in several dishes was spread before
Him.
One day the children, as usual, stole about at pleasure and
helped themselves to the viands that had been placed before
Ranga that day as the special service of the Rftja who then
ruled. The priests were offended that day at the conduct of
the children, and handling them somewhat roughly, conveyed
them outside the Temple premises. That night the RS.ja had
a dream. The Lordlappearing to him, declared : "I had just
tasted your food-service. When the fools of my officiating
priests interfered with my childx-en, the Bhattars, preventing
them from having their full share, and treated them roughly,
I could not partake of thy food any more. I am this day not
pleased with thee." The Rd