Chapter XIV — Revenge of Indra

“Aputhra travelled the country. His. fame ran before him. In heaven itself, his. piety gained him much credit. At last, Indra,. King “of the Devas, grew afraid of Aputhra the ‘Pitiful. ‘The devas will want him for their king soon,’ he complained. ‘Ido not wish to lose my throne.’

‘So Indra came down to earth. He put on the guise of an aged Brahman. A stout staff upheld his feeble body. He came to. Aputhra. ‘I am Indra,’ he mumbled feebly.. ‘Ask me a boon. It is yours. I wish to: reward your great charity.’ }

“ Aputhra laughed at the words of the: ancient Brahman. How could he be Indra?- His sides ached with laughing. He jested with the old man, ‘Ido not care for your” boons, great. Indra, King of the Devas! A deva lives on the fruits: of his, former, good.

deeds. He strives not after righteousness. Charity and self-sacrifice are unknown to him. I, Aputhra, am happier than any deva. By the Holy Grail, I relieve the hunger of thousands. The sight of their happy faces is my greatest reward. What more can I ‘desire ? Perhaps, O Indra, you want to give me rich food and fine clothes? Perhaps you would present me with a splendid palace ? But I care for none of these things. I have ‘blessing enough. Return to Heaven. I crave no boon !’

“The laughter of Aputhra displeased Indra. He tried to punish him. He caused heavy rains to fall, so that the land of the Pandyas overflowed with milk and honey. There was no want anywhere. Not a man needed the help of the Holy Grail. Aputhra was forgotten and despised. He was like a king without a kingdom.

“Wretched and lonely he left the rich ‘city of Madura. From village to village he ‘tramped. ‘Come unto me, all ye who hunger and are in want!’ he cried. But none came. Men laughed at him. ‘Who is he?’ they asked. And none remembered the name of Aputhra. His lonely heart was like to burst.

. “One day, he met some sailors. They ‘spoke of the land of the Chavakas. It suffered

from a long drought. The people thete were dying by thousands. The, heart of Aputhra sang with joy once more. ‘Take me_ in your vessel,’ he begged of them. ‘In this land of plenty, the Holy Grail is a useless toy. I shall go to Chavakas. I can save men from hunger. The Holy Grail will resume its divine task. Ishall see happiness and thanksgiving in the faces of men and women once more, ’

“So the sailors carried him with them. A storm overtook the vessel. They were forced to turn about, and find shelter in the island of Manipallavam.

“Aputhra went ashore. He wandered about the strange island. At night, the sea became calm. The sails were hoisted, and the ship sailed away. Aputhra was left behind. In the morning he explored the place. But no human being did he find there. His grief knew no bounds. Was the Divine Vessel then fated to remain for ever useless in his hands ? For his sins, this punishment had come to him. The Holy Grail was in unworthy hands. It could perform no more good deeds. For his sins, was it become a vanity and a burden.

“He resolved to get rid of it. Having blessed it, he dropped the vessel gently into the tank Gomukhi. Sadly he prayed, ‘May the Holy Grail rise to the surface once in each year! May it pass into the hands of a person who has pity ever in his heart! So once more, it may become a_ life-giver to: the poor and needy!’

“From that day, Aputhra ate no more. He tried to starve to death. But I, Aravana,. met him there. He told me his sad story, and died. Now he is born again. He lives in the land of the Chavakas.

“In that land too, a certain cow was born. She has hoofs and horns of gold. Even before she calved, she gave milk to all who: thirsted. She is ‘the cow that Aputhra saved from the sacrifice. On the birthday of the Lord Buddha, a boy baby was born of the cow. Thus was Aputhra born again. He was adopted by the king of the Chavakas. He grew up a prince. The- king died. Aputhra is now king of the Chavakas.”