Chapter XVI — The Story of Kayachandika

Round Manimekalai now swarmed the hungry ones of Kaveripatnam. The Holy Grail had lost none of its virtue. Amongst the hungry, came poor Kayachandika, crying in a voice of grief, “I am cursed with a hunger that never dies; all day and all night I eat, yet does my hunger never cease. It is the fruitof my karma. Can you, sweet maid, save me?”

Manimekalai offered her a handful of rice. At once, her hunger was stayed. The gnawing pains were quieted. Kayachandika was at peace at last.

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“I come from Kanchanapuram,”’ said the gandharva woman. “It lies among the silvery hills. It is the bright home of the gandharvas. But my evil karma dogged me. My husband and I set our faces southward, as we had agreat desire to see the Podya hill. We passed through the jungle. We rested by a cool stream. Its current was swift and strong. As we sat there, a holy sage passed. His name was Vrishikan. His clothes were made from the bark of trees. His hair was matted together. His locks

hung down like thick ropes. He came to bathe in the waters. Before entering, he placed a Jambu fruit on ateak leaf. The fruit was a splendid one, big as the fruit of the palmyrah,

“When the sage dived into the river, my evil karma tempted me. I could not bear to see the fruit lie there. I got up, and walked past the place. With proud and careless step, [| crushed the glorious fruit under my feet. The sage finished his bath. He strode ashore. He was hungry. He looked with horror on the quashed fruit. He looked about. He saw my guilt writ plain on my face. ‘Woman,’ he cried, ‘The best of the Jambu trees yields but one such fruit as this in twelve years. He who eats thereof may know no hunger for twelve years more. No other food passes my lips. Now I shall have no food all that time. Because of your evil deed, I curse you. You shall forget the mantram, so that you cannot fly through the air. Until I again taste of the Jambu fruit, twelve years hence, you shall sutler from elephant-fire, and your hunger shall never cease for a moment. Such a curse is deserved by such a trick.’

“Until to-day, fair maid, this curse has lain upon me. No one can understand the

long anguish of these years. But now, by your kindness, the curse is removed, When the sage left me, my husband came to my side. How grieved he was that my folly should cost so dear. He wished to return home to the north. But I was consumed with hunger. And how could I fly home? I had no longer the power to rise in the air. -Great was my husband’s pity for me. He brought me fruit. He brought me _ berries. Nothing could stay my awful hunger.

“Then said my husband to me, ‘Jambu- -dwipam, is a mighty city. Many kind and learned men dwell there. Surely they will do all they can for you. Far, far away is this city of Jambu-dwipam. You must go on foot. That will take you many, many days and nights. But it is best to go there. It is your only hope of ease from pain.’

“So I came to this city alone. My husband visits me once a year. He comes during the Festival of Indra. He pities my pain. But what can he do forme? He goes -away again.

“But to-day, I found you, O Manimekalai the Fair! With your great pity, have you -cured my pain. I salute you. I thank you, Manimekalai. Now shall I go back to my

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own fair city in the north. Happy will my husband be to welcome me.

“Have you been to Chakkaravala-kottam? Many holy men live there. They have built a public alms-house. Its doors stand open day and night. The hungry and the needy and the sick seek refuge there. From villages far and near they come. They hope to find help and comfort there. Go to them, fair lady. Succour their distress. The Lord Buddha will smile upon your holy work.”

Then Kayachandika flew away. Mani- mekalai watched her vanish out of sight. She then turned her steps towards Chakkaravala- kottam. With great modesty, she. entered the alms-house. First, she paid her respects to the altar of Sampapathy, then she adored the Oracle of the Pillar. Having thus obser- ved her holy duties, she turned to the crowds about her. From the Holy Grail she fed them. In their hundreds and their thousands did they feed. The noise of their joy was heard from afar. Their blessings rose to Heaven like incense. Like to rain in a thirsty desert, was Manimekalai in the alms- house of Chakkaravala-kottam.

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