Chapter XIX

MANIMEKALAI VISITS THE PRISON-HOUSE

The Prince had for a time céased his jpursuit. But for how long? Manimekalai ‘was not at ease. She felt that they would meet again. That meeting would be full of peril for her. To avoid this, she kept her disguise. People saw the form of Kaya- chandika going about the city of Kaveri- patnam. She carried the Grail. The sick and needy flocked around her. Nor were ithey ever sent empty away.

One day, Manimekalai entered the prison- house. ' Here, evil-doers were punished by the King. The beautiful girl spoke words of comfort to them. She fed them from her bowl.

Now the guards of the prison saw her. They saw the little bowl in her hand. Small it was, yet it could not be emptied. They went to tell:‘the King.

The King was with his Queen in the pleasure garden. Nobles and courtiers stood about them. The air was heavy with the perfume -;of flowers.. The pleasant hum of bees made happy: musi¢ if -their ears.

Peacocks spread their gorgeous tails in the sun, They danced in proud splendour. Among the trees, the bulbuls sang sweetly.. Swans sat like Queens on the lotus thrones: in the well. In pairs, like royal lovers,. they flew up into their nests in the treetops. A cheeky little monkey sat on a swing. It was meant only for the ladies of the court. His shameless antics made the King laugl in rare good humour. Actors and minstrels, flautists and drummers, waited the King’s. pleasure. Women sat stringing beads. Others: painted. Hach and all were there to minister to the delight of their ruler.

Tame animals of all kinds, were to be found in another part of the royal park. They gambolled about in the utmost free- dom. Here were the short-footed mongoose, and the long-eared hare; there were the timid antelope and the wild goat. The King would -call to each in turn, They would approach without fear, and perform their quaint little tricks. The Queen was highly amused,

It was early spring time. A cool wind! blew gently from the south. The royal couple roamed happily in their pleasance. They climbed the mounds and hillocks to.

MANIMEKALAI 8b-

gaze down upon the waterfalls. .They stood ‘on tiptoe onthe heights, and looked down fearfully into the harsh chasms. They exa- mined the wells and tanks. In arbours ithey sat hands. clasped like young lovers. The god of Love seemed to hover round them. His blessing brought joy to their hearts.

In the park, was a mantap. It shone -with gold and precious stones. All the gold- ssmiths of Maharashtra, the diamond-cutters from’ Maghada, the skilled workmen from Avanti.and Yavana had combined to make ithis work of art. It was a fit product of the Tamil country.

After a time, the King entered the man- tap, and sat down upon a throne. Hither came the guards of the prison. They stood humbly afar off, and sang the praises of the King in war. :

“Hail! Mavan-Killi! May you live in glory for ever! May our King live for ever, and his foes perish! Hear us, O noble monarch! Once a woman: came to our city. ‘She suffered from elephant-fire. Now she is come to our prison-house. In her hand, ‘she bears asmall alms bowl. From it, she feeds all the hungry, till they are weary of eating. We thought best to tell you of

the miracle. May our King protect the world and live for ever!"

The King wondered much at the story, “Send for this woman,” he said. At once, Manimekalai was brought to him, She saluted loyally, “May the mercy of our valiant King last for ever!”

“Who are you of great penance?” asked the King. “How did you receive this sacred bowl?”

And she answered, “I am a gandharva woman, [ can fly through the air. This. form is a disguise. The bowl is a_ sacred’ vessel. It is divine. A goddess gave it to me, With it, I cure all hunger, I cure elephant-fire. It is a blessing to all men. May the King live for ever! May rains. never fail in all your realm!”

“What canI do for you, O fair one?” asked the King. His voice was gentle and kind,

“T pray you, destroy the prison-house.. Let it become a Home of Mercy. Let holy men abide in peace within its walls.”

“Tt shall be done,” granted the King.. At his command, the prisoners were set free. The dungeon of torture was destroyed. The place became a Home of Mercy..

Within its walls, a temple was built to the Wise One. With his own wealth, the King furnished and endowed it. By his order, it was freed from all taxes. Pious monks and holy men lived there. In the world outside, they brought help and com- fort to all men,