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8 THE LIFE OP EAMANUJA. CH. I.
is by name Nafchamniii(ga]), the blessed votary of Lord Mannanar
at Vira-narayanapuram."
The king's curiosity was roused. He sent messengers to
Nathamuni(gal), begging him to deign to visit his court.
:— He
on his side, on receiving the invitation, thought thus " We
have set the Blest Prabandhas to exquisite music. Let us visit
the king's court, and take this opportunity of making these
known to the world." Thus he directed his steps to the king's
court. On his arrival, the king rose and welcoming the Sage
with every mark of honor, offered him a suitable seat. Whereon
the Sage blessed the king, and inquired as to his object in
inviting him. The king said :— " Holy Sage ! canst thou
distinguish between the deva-gdna and the m,anushya-gdn,a of
these minstrels ?" The Sage then requested that the performance
be given :— before him. When this was done, he addressed
'•
the king thus Ye men have ears for the inanushya-gdna
only. Only the Devas can understand the other." " But ", the
king respectfully asked, "how, Sire, can we be made to
hear it ?" Thereon the Sage directed that the 400 kinds of tdla
(rhythm) be marked, and explained to the king the rate of
each. The king understood from this explanation the regular
harmonical progression and symphony which this method lent
to the deva-gdna music, which produced in him a bliss never
before experienced. It is also related that a pair of cymbals was
placed near a consecrated post, and the ddva-gdna was sung,
when it was found that the post began to melt. They stopped
the music, and when they attempted to lift
the cymbals, they
stuck to the post ; and when they began the music and lifted
them, they came off. The king went into raptures over this, and
falling at the feet of the Sage propcsed to reward him abundantly.
But the Sage, to whom even the offer of Lordship over
Worlds was no temptation, politely declined the presents
offered ; and blessing the king, returned to Vira-narayanapuram.
Eight
•
had oiir Sage :—(1) Uyyokkondar,
(2) Kurukai-k-kaval-appan, (3) Nambi Karunakara Dasar,
(4)Ern-tiini-vudaiyar, (5)Tiru-k-kanna-maiigai-andau,(6)V5,napiamalai
Devi-y-andan, (7) Urup-pattur-Acchan-pillai, and