Chapter XXVI — Manimekalai Melts Her Friends

The temple of the Goddess of Chastity stood on the plain outside the city of Vanji. Manimekalai entered, and bowed before the altar, She gazed at the holy image, and begged her to speak. “Tell me, O chaste Kannaki. A chaste wife commits sati, on the death of her beloved husband. Or she spends the rest of her life in fasting and prayer. Why did you burn down the whole city of Madura?”

“Ah, my daughter,” answered the voice of Kannaki, “‘ That was an evil act. I shall pay for that in time to come. Just now, Kovalan and I are with the devas. We reap the fruits of our former good deeds. But the Wheel turns. We do not always. remain with the devas. And my punish- ment shall be great. For my wrong-doing was great. I ought to have known better, For Madurapathy told me the cause of the cruel death of Kovalan. Yet still my wrath burned in my mind and my body. I was driven to my terrible revenge.

“In his last life) Kovalan was a trader. We lived in Singapuram. There was war between our city and Kapilai. In that city

{24 MANIMEKALAL

dwelt a merchant. He 'was the great rival of Kovalan. He and his wife tried to enter our town secretly. They wished only to sell their goods. But Kovalan saw his chance, ‘He went to the, King. He déenoun- ced his Tiv al in trade, as a spy. The innocent man was seized by the guards, and’ put to death. And his wife eursed us. In’ his Jast life, Kovalan caused’an unjust’ death. ‘So in this life, he has paid for it With his own, x e ae tte.

“But at the end, all will be well; with. us. We have served Buddha. faithfully..!..Some day, He will rise again. Oncé more we shall hear the Truth from His, Divine:s ips. «i And we shall attain Nirvana. tt

‘“sAnd you, Manimekalai, will also hear ‘the Truth, and be saved. ‘But first, you must listen to all the other ‘doctrines.’ You’ must examine them closely. You must weigh each on its’ merits, And in ‘each you will find a flaw. The Law’ of Buddha alone'' will be perfect.. His Law ‘aloné will stand ‘ihe test. Aravana will‘ be your -téacher. You will' be his beloved pupil. But the high priests of the other sects will refuse to speak with a woman. You must assume the form of a man. They will speak freely then.” :

MANIMEKALAI Ab:

‘The image .avas osilent. © Manimekalai kissed the feet of stone, and took the; form, of a holy man, In this guise abe Daae through.the gates of the city.

In those:days, Vanji was one of the fore- most cities of India. All the wise’ men of the world flocked to Vanji. Many schools of thought flourished side by side. At each). in turn, Manimekalai listened respectfully. But none satisfied. It was time to search for her friends,

All through the ait, Manimekalai Sought them. And while she wandered, she saw. all its beauties, A deep, wide moat ran, round the foot of its walls. Its surface was gay with flowers. The bees gathered their best, honey there. Into the moat, the city drains were: emptied. The lords and ladies put rare spices and pastes into their. baths. These. scents mingled with the fresh fragrance of the flowers. The very alligators in the moat had a pleasant odour. From the’ edge of the moat, stretched a low’ jungle ~ where: cattle. gtazed. * And on the walls of the fort stool ° the terrible ‘engines of war.’ ‘The high! ‘gateway was, gay ‘with flags ant ban- ners. ‘The eyes of ‘Manimekalai grew round at the ‘sight.’ “Surely: this.is a hill of silver, and:theyihave tunrielled a way :through!”..

The guards lived near by, ready to defend their city at a moment’s notice. Beyond their barracks, stretched the streets and squares of the beautiful city. The bazaars were crowded with sellers and buyers. Mani- mekalai wandered in the pleasant groves, where even devas came to rest. She gazed at the fine mansions and glittering palaces of Brahmans and Princes.

In the very centre of the city was the temple of Buddha, There she found a monk. He spoke to her kindly. “lam Masathuvan. Kovalan was my son. Many generations ago, my ancestor came to this city. He heard of the teaching of Buddha. He gave away all his wealth. He built this stately temple. Kovalan died. I left Kaveri- patnam, I came here. And here I remain. Now tell me your story.”’

“I seek the holy Aravana,” replied Manimekalai. ‘I have heard the other sects. I am ready now to hear the Law of Buddha.”

“Aravana is gone to Kanchi,” said Masathuvan. “Your mother and Sutha- mathi are there with him. The golden city of Kanchi suffers sorely. No rain falls. Many people die. No one can. give alms. You and your Holy Grail are much needed

there. Lose no time, my daughter. You will be welcome as. the rain in the desert.” So northward towards (Kanchi, flew Manimekalai, Once it had been a great city, but it was a poor place now. Manimekalai circled round it once, then came to earth near the Buddhist temple. She was seen by an officer of the court. He ran at once to the King, crying, “The Holy Maid of Kaveri- patnam is among us. She bears in her hands the Holy Grail. Our troubles are at an end. She brings peace and plenty in our midst.” The King and all his court were glad. They made haste to find the maiden. The King said to her, ‘We know you, O Holy Maid. For some reason our land suffers from lack of rain. Perhaps the fault is mine. Perhaps I am not a good ruler. But the Oracle of the Pillar cheered me. The deity warned me of your coming. And in your honour, I have built a tank in a lovely garden. It looks like the tank of Gomukhi in the gardens of Manipallavam.” He took Mani- mekalai to see the place. She was well pleased. She caused a Holy Seat to be placed there. And temples were built for Mani- mekala-devi and Dwipa-Thilaka. The magic bowl was laid reverently on. the Holy Seat. And the people of the town fed therefrom.

128 | MANIMEKALAI

Birds and beasts, as well as men and women, ate from it, and were filled. Then the gates of heaven were opened, and the blessed rain fell in torrents. The fields again were covered with green grass, the lean cattle grew fat: trees blossomed and bore. fruit, and laughter was heard once more in the streets.

Aravana, Madhavi and Suthamathi came to the grove of Manipallavam. | Manimekalai ran to meet them. She fell at the feet of the sage. She tended his needs. She sought his blessing.: And Aravana blessed the maiden, saying, “ May all the good you have done, help you in your need !’

Then, each told of his and her iboats They rejoiced to be together again,

“The time is ripe, O Fair One,” said the old man. “I can speak freely now of the law and the life of the Lord Buddha.”

Manimekalai listened with reverence. Joy flowed through all her being. A great light lit up her'spirit." In.love and service her days. were spent, and her nights in earnest prayer.

And so did she live the perfect life.

THE END.) ~

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