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ClI. XXXV. RAMANUJA'S JOT AXD G&IEF. 2^?
shelter in Azhvar's (liis father P) house. Intelligence soon
reached Rama,imja as to what had liappcnod. Agreeably
startled, he stood up, and Hung his upper garment into tlie air
—an expression of infinite joy. The disciples who watched
this, failed to understand what Efti-uanujiT, meant by this act,
and humbly asked him to explain. " My faithful," he said
" I bear al.so relationship with Kiiresa. My salvation, about
which I may have doubts, ' is thus made safe and sure." This
explains the important consequence
that follov,s from the spiritual
relation into which a Master and his
disciples may enter;
and that is, that saving power is as truly vested in a qualified
disciple with regard to his Master, as is in a qualified master
with regard to his disciple. Bat EAmanuja's joy soon gave
way to grief, at the impending prospect of sep.iration from his
dearest disciple and associate, Sri KureSa, the like of whom
there was none ; and he forthwith left his Math with all his
assembly to meet KuieSa ensconced in the Saint's .shrine. They
met and ES,mannja chidingly remonstrated with Kur&sa for having
done an act without previously taking counsel with him.
KureSa kept submissively silent. " Why dost thou not speak,
Azhvan," addressed EstmAnuja, " What was thy object in asking
tlie Lord to let thee go to the Blessed Realms in advance of
me 'i " '" Holy Sire," now spoke Kurfesa. " My object was to
preserve the order of precedence there." " Speak not, beloved,
in conundrums," i-eturned Eamanuja, " explain thyself."
" Sire," began KureSa, " '
the .saint's hymn . niudiyudai ' tells
us that the angels who are our elders in
Heaven come out of
its gates to welcome those younger brotliers of theirs, who proceed
thither from here. This is out of order ;
for younger ones
sliould always go and welcome the elders. This is the order
I wish to preserve. Hence I go in .advance :— and welcome m3'
Master when he conies." R&ni&nuja said " My most beloved,
thou forgettest the rule that obtains in lieaven ; JT^n^Jppp^^TT:,
' How could RaraAnuja, himself a obej'ed, by revealing the mysteries
Saviour, doubt his own salvation ? of religion kept so long sacred, and
is a question which will naturally this doubt vanished by the Lord's
arise. The doubt had come to him gift to Kure.=a, to whom Ramaiiuja
on the occasion of his incurring the bore spiritual kinship. Read verse
displeasure of his guin of Goshthi- at the end of this chapter.
piirna (vide P : Ch.), whom he dis-