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CH. VI. YADAVA, GOVINDA AND BAMANUJA. 37
CHAPTER VI.
YADAVA, GOVINDA AND BAMANUJA.
Y^dava-prakdiSa and Lis
disciples, finding that Ild,inaDuja
did not follow, stopped and waited for him for some time.
Govinda came up however and joined them. " Tou have come,
but where is Ram^^nuja h'" asked Tadava. " I never stopped
with him," said Govinda in reply, " I walked my own way,
and so I am not aware of what has become of him. Tadava
sent his disciples in search, but they returned unsuccessful.
" What could have happened to the poor youth, Oh !" thus did
they all feign grief. Baulked thus in their intentions, they
continued their journey sullenly to on Kasi.
They duly arrived there.
It was the month Magha, and
they went to bathe in -the Holy Ganga. While bathing,
Govinda found a Sivalingam (phallus-stone) floating :— up into
his hand. He showed this to Tadava, who said " Ton are a
most fortunate man. Gangadhara (Siva) liimself has appeared
to you. From this day you are most dear :— and venerable to us.
Tour name from this daj' shall be " Uljangai-konamda-
Nayanar (he who brought in his palm)." They all now started
homeward for Kanchtpuram, visiting on their way Jagannatha,
Ahobilam and other shrines. Before reaching Kanchi,
U. Nayanjtr took leave of Tadava, saying he would instal the
Sivalingam in a suitable place and then join them. T4dava
permitting, Nayan^r went to his birth-place Mazhalai-
Mano-alam, and there with the help of the learned men of the
place installed tlie Sivalingam, and remained in its staunch
service. Kalahasti is a place sacred to Siva. It is written
that this Siva appeared to NAyanar in his dream commanding
him to join his Temple-service at K&lahasti- A dream was
dreamt by the Temple-authorities of the place also, commanding
them to proceed and bring jSTayanar with honors. They did
so and bringing Nayanar in festive fashion, made him the
dignitary of their temple, investing him with the signet-ring
and other insignia of that office.