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CH. IV. ALAVANDAK'S SPIRITUALIZATIOX. 21
CHAPTER IV.
ALAVANDAR'S SPIBITUALIZATION.
Rama-Misra was -watcliing silently the eminence which
Alavandar had readied so rapidly; and when he heard of
Akki's ignominious defeat, and Alavandar becoming a king,
his joy knew no bounds and he danced with flags in hand.
He now thought of carrying into effect the commission he
had received, of making Alavandar the future Apostle of the
Faith. So, he went to the palace, but the guards obstructed his
entrance. He found his way however into the kitchen where
contracting friendship with the cooks,' he ascertained from
them the potherbs that pleased Alavandar most. Tuduvalai,
'•'
Sir^'ieir or jso-^az&rr daily took to the kitchen for
a period of six months ; and yet no notice was taken of it.
Wearied, he stopped away for a few days. Alavandar
finding his favourite dish missing from his dinner so suddenly,
enquired of the cooks the reason. They informed him of
an old Brahmana having, for six months uninterruptedly,
brought the green herb and having stopped the supply for a
few days. " If he should return again," commanded the king,
after chiding them, " inform me at once." Rama-misra thought
he would try again, and so put in his appearance with the
favorite vegetable, after some interval. The king was immediately
informed ; and he ordered the venerable man being
conducted into his presence. When he duly arrived, the king
rose, and making obeisance, seated him with every mai-k of
respect; and asked how he may reward him for his services,— by
money or by lands. Misra said :— " Good king, these riches
I do not need from thee ; for I have precious riches, amassed
by your ancestors, to give thee ; and I shall show thee where
they lie treasured up. Till I put thee in possession of these,
let me be admitted to thy presence without hindrance by the
guards at thy gates." Ajavandar was taken oat of himself by
' In Hindu households in India, ca8te,and they must be holy people,
the cooks must be of the same caste holier than the rest of the houseas
the employer, or above their hold.
- A thorny shrub bearing edible frnit.