Chapter XI — The Holy Grail

For a short time, Manimekalai roamed about the island of Manipallavam. All at once, she saw a celestial spirit before _ her. The spirit enquired, ‘**Who are you, fair maid? Why do you wander here alone?”

The maid replied, “O radiant One, my name was Lakshmi. My husband was Prince Raghulan. Now am | Manimekalai. My mother is Madhavi, the teacher of dancing. The goddess Manimekala-Devi brought me here. She made me know my former birth. You are fair as the rising sun; you are graceful as a tender creeper in blossom. Pray tell me, who are you? What is your name?’

The spirit replied, .“‘My name is Dwipa- Thilaka. The King of the Devas sent me here. It is my duty to guard the Holy Seat.

48 MANIMEKALATI

“Listen! Only those who walk a right may learn the secret of their past lives. You are such an one. And they are indeed few. In front of the Holy Seat is a large well, called Gomukhi, On the anniversary of the Birth of the Lord, the never-failing Holy Grail of Aputhra will appear in the well. The moon will be at the full. This is the day. This is the time. Who knows, perhaps the holy vessel will come into your hands. Rice is the elixir of life. If you put rice in the Holy Grail, it may be taken out for ever, yet will the Grail never be empty. The hungry and needy may feed till their hands are weary. Yet will the rice never grow less. Aravana the sage of Kaveripatnam will tell you more about it.”

The heart of the pure maiden yearned with pity for all the poor and needy of the earth. ‘“O, if I can but possess the Holy Grail!” she implored. ‘Then will I feed the hungry, and gladden the hearts of the poor.” She fell before the Holy Seat, and worshipped it anew. She walked round the tank Gomukhi. She remained still and steadfast in prayer. And lo! the Grail rose from the depths of the water, and passed into her hands. Great was. her joy to receive it. She cried aloud. She

exulted and rejoiced. In song, she praised the Lord Buddha, Here are the words of her song.

‘Conqueror of Karma, I bow to Thy Feet! Destroyer of Evil, I bow to Thy Feet! Seeker of others’ good, I bow to Thy Feet! Refuser of Paradise, I bow to Thy Feet! O High above all thought, I bow to Thy

Feet!

Giver of Light, I bow to Thy Feet!

O Enemy of Malice, I bow to Thy Feet! Friend of Goodness, Foe of Evil, I bow

to Thy Feet!

How can my poor tongue praise Thee!

I bow to Thy Feet!”

Then spake Dwipa-Thilaka, “ Hunger is a miserable curse. It makes a prince forget his birth. It kills virtue and destroys honour, Hungry men forget wisdom and _ learning. Sins without number are caused by hunger. So blessed indeed, is the one who can relieve ‘ this affliction. My tongue is too feeble to praise such a one. Do you know the story of the great rishi ViswamitraP He gave up his kingdom, .and took to penance. A famine scourged the land. He was so hungry, that he resolved to eat a dog. Before he partook of it, he. offered part as sacrifice. Indra appeared to stay his hand. The god caused a

heavy downpour of rain, The earth drank up the water greedily. The famine was stayed. Gladness returned to the hearts of men. It is one charity to give food to the poor and helpless. [le who gives food, gives life. You are wise to become a life-giver with the Holy Grail in your hands. Great must be your heritage of good deeds.”

“In my last birth,” said Manimekalai, “My husband died of snake-bite. I threw myself on to the funeral pyre. Before I lost my senses, I remembered feeding Sadhu- Chakra in the heat of the day. Because of this good deed, has the Holy Grail come into my hands, There are many who now reap the harvest of their former good deeds. They are now blest with wealth and happi- ness. Others now wait in rags because of their former sins. Out in the rain and in ‘the hot sun they go. But they think not of these things. They can think only of the awful hunger that gnaws at their bowels. My heart yearns to help these poor people. As amother yearns to feed her hungry child, so do I yearn to feed the poor and helpless.”

“One thing I have forgotten to tell you,” said the spirit. “Only in the hands of the pitiful will the Holy Grail show its

‘virtue. Your heart overflows with compas- ‘sion, Go, therefore, and perform your noble task.”

Then did Manimekalai rise in the air. And in her hands was the Holy Grail.