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CH. v. His BtRTH AtJD STUDIES. 33
comforted at the thought that some one had come ox- been
deputed by God to succour him in his distress.
Raraanuja accosting
them asked who they were and whither they were going.
" We are Fowlers coming from Siddha-Srama in tlie North and
are wending our way to Satyavrata-kshotra' in the South,"
said they. "May I accompany you to that Holy shrine?"
asked Ramanuja. " Most willingly ", said they, " follow us."
They leading, Ramfbauja trudgedon, till Vindhya was now out
of sight, and the sun was setting. Ramanuja performed his
evening prayers. And as it was getting dax-k, all the three sat
down under the shelter of a big tree, and were sinking into the
soft embraces of sleep. The Fo\vlei-'s wife addressing her husband
said:— "Dear, can you get me a drink of water to allay
my thirst ?" " Wait a little," answered the husband, '' directly
it dawns, I promise to find you close by a beautiful pond, full
of cool and fragrant water." E£lm£inuja overheard this conversation
and thought "
: Oh, if only it were in my power to do
this kind Pair a service now, at least as a requital for their
kindness to me ! But. I am in unknown regions." And he
dozed away in such reflections.
The night had now nearly worn away, a flush sufEnsed the
East, and a morning breeze gently began to blow. RsLmanuja
rose with thoughts of God in his breast, and ofierred up his
morning prayers. After this he looked round for his Guides,
in order to pursue the journey, but to his amazement he did
not find them. He called for them aloud and searched in
every direction, but all to no purpose. He proceeded a few
steps in alarm, not knowing whither he was going. But by
this time the sun had appeared above the Ea.stern horizon.
Ramanuja could see his suiTOundings better; and he heard
peoples' voices. He took heart and, a few steps more, discovered
a pleasant garden, a pond' and a few men standing
by. "What a contrast this day is with yesterday," gladly
1 The ptirdnic or legendary name of Conjeevaram
2 This is called Sdlai-k-Kinar, still existing and from which water
daily brought to Lord Varada'rlijaBvanii for ablution.