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204 SBIbANGAM—MEETING KURESA. CH. XXXI.
corned him back home with a salvo of greetings. After having
been away for nearly twentj'- long years, he was now making
triumphal entry in the midst of a seething crowd,-—all eyes
and hearts turned to him—alter having undergone so many
hardships and trials for the Faith. A ceremonial enti-y was
made into the adytum of Kanga, with prostrations at every
step. " Son," said the Lord, opening His mouth, " thou hast
l)een away from Us far and long ; sure thou must be very tired.
" Merciful God," replied R&m&nuja, " while Thou art alive with
Thy elect by Thy side, there is no fatigue to me or all the
universe put together." Banga was pleased and commanded
tirtJia and prasdda to be administered, and granted him leave
to go and join his m.on.astery and rest after his toils and trials.
But as Rsbm&nuja threaded his way round the streets of
Srirangam, whei-e he gladly wituessed t!ie charming scenes
which he had long missed, his thoughts were occupied with
Kiiresa, and the first thing that he would, and did, do was to
step into his dwelling. Of course blind Kuresa, who had ere
this returned from Tirttm.alirunjolai (near Madura), was informed
beforehand of his master's return ; and as he heard SsbmSinuja
approach, rushed forward from his door, and prostrating
himself, firmly clasped RS.m£LTiuja's feet, and bathed them
in a flood of tears, and lay there speechless like one bewitched
and stricken. Rimftnuja was himself greatly moved. He gently
lifted up KurSsa, and tirmly embracing him, was himself made
speechless by the mingled sentiments of joy and grief shaking
the very foundations of his soul, vrith great difficulty, obstructed
by tears and by voice made tremulous with emotion and
refusing utterance, spoke the one phrase :
" KurfiSa, thou
hast given thy eye—the eyeof our faith—for the faith !" Kur63a
who had lost his voice so long, recovered somewhat, and was
able to say :— " Master, beloved ! I must at least have sinned
by thinking, 'this man's niark on the forehead is crooked.'
Hence my punishment is deserved." Ramannjasaid^ "Beloved,
thoa, to sin ? Rather mine must be the sin, for which thoa
hast atoned. Come, let us go." So saying, Ramd,nuja reached his
own monastery, leading Kurftsa lovingly by the liand, followed
by the immense host of devotees and others mustered thick.