Chapter XXII — Manimekalati Sees Into the Future

All this while, Manimekalai had been praying at the shrine of the Goddess Sampa- pathy. When Kanchana was gone from the place, she came out. Her eyes fell upon her princely lover lying dead in the alms-house. She had heard some of the words of the

Oracle. Now she understood them. She knew why the Prince lay there. In.a rage of grief, she flung off her disguise. ‘Woe is me!’ she cried. ‘f put on this form to save myself from him. But it has not saved him from this cruel death. By my own deed, have | killed him!’ :

She flung herself at his feet. “At your last death, [ threw myself into the flames and died with you. [found glory in it. But now I must stifle my grief. I must continue to live. I must act as if your death meant nothing tome. Ah! Woe is me!”

The Oracle spoke again. “Keep back, O maiden!” it called. ‘For many lives, have you been husband and wife. But now you must seek freedom from birth. Cease your grieving!”

Manimekalai turned to the Deity. “You know the truth. Can you declare it to me? Why did my love die of snake-bite in our last life together? Why has he again in this life, died an untimely death?” .

The Oracle answered. “The sagé Sadhu- chakra came one day into your garden. He was weary. You and your husband, Raghu- lan, offered him food. For that good deed, the Holy Grail has in this life been put into

your hands, But when the cook brought the food to the sage, his foot slipped. The rice was scattered on the ground, Raghulan was a royal host. [lis guests must not be kept waiting. In anger at the delay, he cut off the cook’s head. For that bad deed, this sudden death has been meted out to him. We must all bear the effects of our deeds, good or bad, in this life and the lives here- after.”

“Cease now to grieve. The Prince Udhaya-kumaran has met his fate. Go you now to meet yours. And a great-fate it is indeed,”

As she listened, Manimekalai’s — grief softened. A great glory filled all her being. The light of eternity shone upon her. Soon she would be free from births. She would be- come the chief disciple of the Lord Buddha. Throughout the world, she would spread His name, and teach His law.

In the still darkness of the night, Prince Udhaya-kumaran had met his death. In the sunrise of the waking world, Manimekalai saluted her new life.

MANIMEKALAI oY . CHAPTER XXIII MANIMEKALAI IS SENT TO PRISON |.

The sun had risen. It was time to wor ‘ship Sampapathy. People flocked to the shrine. There they found the body of the Prince. The holy men of Chakkaravala-kottam were called. They spoke with Manimekalai. She told her story.

The wise men feared the king’s grief and rage. He might harm them in his passion. They thought out a plan. First, they hid ithe dead body. Then they sent Manimekalai ito a secret place. After that, they went to the palace of the. king. They saluted the king on his throne. ‘Mighty monarch!” they cried, “May your royal umbrella shelter all the world. May your sword and__sceptre shine with mercy. May your reign be with- out evil. May your days know joy!”

The King bowed to their greeting. “Speak on, O wise men!” he commanded them.

Gently they broke the news to the bereaved father. They told him the history of Madhavi and her daughter Manimekalai. They spoke of the love of the Prince. **Mani- mekalai is not for earthly loves,” they said, “The. gods saved her, from the Prince. He lies‘dead before the Oracle of the’ Pillar.”

The King was overcome with his grief. He tore his hair. He beat bis bosom. He: mourned his beloved son, The holy. men tried to soothe him.

“Your son is not the only Prince who: has loved a holy maid. Sometimes, the gods. avenged the insult. Sometimes his own father punished his daring. No fond , father wishes to kill his own son. The gods have been kind to you. You are not as Kakan- than. He had to kill fvo sons by-;his own hand.” ;

“Speak to me of this brave and noble: Kakanthan,” said the King.. “Then. may I gather strength from his strength.”

“King Kakanthan «was regent in this. -city.. He had two sons: The younger son met a Brahmin woman. He fell in 'love with: her. Her name was Marudhi. She: sought help of the: guardian spirit of the streets. ‘1 have stirred desire in the heart of a- stranger. But [ am no evil woman. I love only my ‘husband. Is there then some: ‘évil-in my heart? Am [| now unfit to tend the sacred fire?’

“And the goddess answered, ‘Yes, Maru- dhi, you have ~ evil in your heart. You’ say you love only your husband.’ ~‘That’ is’ ‘not

MANIMEKALAI 10t

itrue. You loye gossip and slander. You love jesting ‘and ‘dancmg. These reign «in your heart, aswell as your husband. Give up these false gods. Love none, love nothing but your ‘husband. . Then will no stranger dare to love you. It is the King’s duty to- punish evil-doers.' Perhaps he will not punish his own son. Then, within seven days, I shall.avenge you.’

“But the. King heard of his son’s_ con- duct. "The youth fell -by his father’s sword.

“Perhaps, too, you have heard of Visa- kai, O Killi! She loved her cousin Dharma- dhattan. . People began to speak ill of them. They put shame on the chaste Visakai. She came to the Oracle of the Pillar. Many citizens stood about her. The Oracle said,. “Visakai is. innocent as a new born babe. She is chaste enough to command rain.’ ’ Then did all the, friends of Visakai rejoice. Her enemies asked her pardon.

“In the midst of a large crowd, the pure maiden went from the shrine. In the streets, the elder son of Kakanthan saw her, - At once, he loved her. He wore a garland of flowers.on. his brow. ‘He thought, ‘I shall throw this,.wreath -to the maiden. Then she will look:up:at me, I shall see her lovely eyes.’ He raised- his hand to the

garland. It would not come off. The maiden passed on.

“This story came to the ears of King. KKakanthan, He slew his elder son.”

“Speak on, wise men,” begged King. Killi, “IT have not yet found strength to be like Kakanthan,. What became of the pure maid Visakai?”

“Visakai was not quite happy. She said, ‘The people believed the Oracle. But { said the same thing. Yet they did not believe me. That hurts me. It spoils my love. I shall not wed with my dear cousin in this life. But I shall gladly meet him in the next,’

“So Visakai went into a_ convent. Dharma-dhattan swore to marry none but his cousin. He left Kaveripatnam. He went to Madura, There he grew very wealthy. He was now sixty years of age. One day, a Brahman said to him. ‘Why do you not marry? You are very rich. To whom will you leave all your wealth? You have neither wife nor child. How then, can you hope to enter Heaven?’

“ Dharma-dhattan thought deeply over the Brahman’s words. He left Madura. He came to his native city. He brought all his wealth with him.

“Visakai was told of his coming. She left her convent. She came to meet her lover. * You have kept your vow, O Dharma- dhattan,’ she said. Vou vowed to wed none but me. Let me also keep my vow. We are too old for love. Love can live best in young bodies. In our next life, we shall surely meet, and wed.’

“Then Dharma-dhattan told her of the Brahman. Visakai made answer, ‘No son may open the gates of heaven for his. father, The only key to heaven is the good life. Help others. Share your great wealth. This city is full of the sick and needy. Love them, and serve them.’

“Together, they went about the city. Their lives were spent in service. Many asked help from them. None were sent empty away. Their good deeds were ag many as the stars.” ;

Then King Killi rose from his throne. “That indeed is a beautiful tale. I thank you for it. Now L| have the strength to do my duty. Go in peace. I am a Chola King. To the Cholas, justice is the greatest virtue. Nothing must stand in the way of justice. It is good that my unjust son should die. Bring. out his body. Burn it. And bring the daughter of the dancing woman to me. My guards shall look after her,”

And so it was done,