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en. XIII. KtfRESA JOINING rAmAnUJA. 81
CHAPTER XIII.
KURESA JOINING RAMANUJA.
Kurfe^a having de.spatched Ramanuja, returned to Kfinclu.
From here he went to hi.s village Kura, abont three miles to
the we.st of K&nchi. Being the lord of this village and verjrich,
he was called Kiiran&tha or KureSa. He was as bonnteous
as rich. From morn till late in the night, the blind, lame,
poor and disabled were freely served with food and clothing.
One night, when the day's duties were over, the brass-made door.s
of his mansion were closed violently. This made such a ringing
noise that it was heard at Kanchi. Loi-d Varada's Consort'
Lakshmi questioned Him as to the cause of the noise. The. Lord
explained to Her the greatness of KureSa. " Then I wish to
fetch him.
see him,'" said She. Kjtnchi-purna was commanded to go and
Purna duly came and was welcomed with every worship
due to such a distinguished guest. Purna then disclosed
the object of his mission, resulting from the delibex-ations which
Varada and Lakshmi held on hearing the creaking of his brass
doors. Ku.re.sawa? dismayed on hearing this. "What!'' he
cried, " a sinner like me, a wretch, a worm, to appear so big
My doors to
in the Lord's Bye. Crawling insect that I am !
create disturbance in God's House! Pride hampers salvation ;
humility paves the way for it." So reflecting, Kuresa
formed a resolution to forsake all and join Rd.m4nuja at Srirangam.
He put his resolution into execution at once by
abandoning all his riches, houses and lands, Mvhioh he gave
away in charity to all that came, and bidding his wife Andalamma
give up every article dear to her without regret and
accompany him, left Kura.
Purna returned to Kflnchi, and recounted the extraordinary
deeds of sacrifice following on repentance, and the
departure, of KureSa. Lord Varada was astonished at such
'
Gp. " Soli all thou hast and giv-o to tho poor and follow mc, and I
will give you peace " [Matt. 19-21.]
'
Give up all and follow Clirist, &."
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