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CH. XXV. DHANUKUASA. 153
Let me try to turn this man's love from the gii-1 to Lord Elanga.''
So saying, he sot a few disciples to shadow the pair and find
where *hey lived ; and return with news. On his disciples
Lringing liim the necessary intelligence, R&manuja sent for
DhanurdSisa, and looking on him most graciously, asked who he
was and what brought him to Srirangam. The looks of Bslinainuja,
filled with kindness, acted on him like a spell ; for Dlianurdsisa
made obeisance and explained that his residence was IJraiyur,
where he was a renowned gymnast, and that he came to
Srirangam on a holy visit to Ranga. " But," said RstraEinnja,
" wilt thou allow me, son, to chide thee for thy open violation
of public morality ? Thou sayest thou art a powerful gymnast
but how is this consistent with thy open love-makings to a girl,
shamelessly ? A sense of shame stole on Dhanurdftsa at this
Avell-meant rebuke, but he replied "
: Holy Sire, how can I help
it ? She is so lovely, this dear KanakEbmba. Her eyes are more
beautiful than the lotus. My heart and those eyes are one. The
least exposure to the sun, how can those charming eyes bear ?
Did they fade, my heart would burst. This is the truth, O
Saint; now tell me if I am wrong." R^m^nuja listened to this
guileless speech, in silence, and looking on Dhanurdasa with
pity, said :— " But, son, if I could show you better eyes than
those ? "— " Ah, Sire," interrupted Dhanurdasa, " if so, it
were a great gain to me ; and that by your favour." "Come
then at once " ; so saying, Rsbmanuja led him in to the Temple,
and showing him Ranga's Figure, recumbent on His couch,
S^sha, " look at those bewitching eyes," said he, catching hold
of his hand, "they are the eyes of Ranga, Lord Ranga,
the Fatber of this universe ; look steadily and study their
beauty." Dhanurdasa did so, and he saw something there
extraordinary, divine, and he found he could neither stir
from the spot where he stood, nor move his eyes from the
Vision before him. He was completely hypnotized as it were.
" God's grace has descended on this person," murmured
Relmanuja to himself, as he watched and left for his
monastery Dhanurdasa gave up food and sleep from that day
and was daily found in the temple, looking on Ranga with
straining eyes. Ramanuja, now sent for him and asked him