Chapter III — The Festival of Indra

In these days, Indra was the special guardian of Kaveripatnam. Every year, a grand festival was held in his honour. It lasted for a whole month. The people did their best to make it a success. They grudged neither time nor money. None must neglect the worship of Indra at this time. Did not the safety of the city depend upon their zeal? What said the old legend? “If Kaveripatnam neglect the worship of Indra, the wrath of the god will descend upon the city. The sea will rise in anger from its bed. The city will be destroyed by flood. Its name shall be no more known among men.”

In the Temple of the Sword of Indra, the festive drum was kept. On the first day of the festival, it was brought out. A huge elephant carried it on his neck. They led.

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him through the streets. The herald beat upon the drum. The whole army turned. out in pomp.

To the rhythm of the -drum, the herald cried from his scroll, ‘May this wealthy and. ancient city prosper for ever. May the rain

fall three times in each month. May the sceptre of our king be always upright. Be

it known unto you that Indra and the Host of Heaven walk in our midst during the festival time. Therefore prepare the city for their welcome. Festoon the streets with gay flowers. Put out your pots of water, and your lamps. Stand the golden bowls of seed lings in your’ doorways. Plant the streets. with sugar-canes, and areca palms, and plan- tain trees in full fruit. Set creepers to climb: about your walls. Deck the gilded pillars. with strings of pearls. Hang bright cloths. everywhere. Let flags wave gaily from the roofs, Sweep up the old sand. Strew new fresh sand all about the place. The Brahmans. shall perform the divine rites. The wise men. shall teach us the divine truths. Let all men and women banish hatred from their hearts. The gods will walk in your midst. Honour them with true virtue.”

! All the pedple of Kaveripatnam took ‘part in the festival. But Madhavi and Manimekalai stayed in the monastery. While the herald beat the drum, they: wove garlands for divine service,» C hitrapathi. prieved bitterly for their absence. The men of the town missed them too. They began to speak evil of the two women, “Do “they owe us a grudger”’ they asked. ‘Surely it is their duty to help us at the festival. ” Chitrapathi sought out the old ‘friend of Madhavi. Her name was Vasantha- malai. “Go to’ my daughter,” she urged. “Plead with her, Entreat her. Tell her that . her name becomes an olfence in the ‘nostrils of the people. Then perhaps they will come back with you.” Ti ben ¥?

Vasantha-malai went gladly on her errand; For she deeply regretted the quiet, ‘holy life that her friend now led. She hastened ‘to the monastery. The sight of Madhavi ‘shocked her. Already, fasting and penance had altered her form. She was ‘pale and wan. Her body was thin and frail. -Vasantha-malai almost wept over the change. She appealed to her friend with some warmth. ‘‘ What are you doing here?” ‘she demanded. “Did the gods give you your beauty that you might neglect it? Did they give you strength that

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you might despise it? Did they endow you with talents that you might waste them? For years and years you have studied your art You spared no pains. You were rightly famous.: You can dance, you can act. You know songs without number. You’ can play sweetly upon the flute and lute. You can draw and paint beautiully. You are. skilled in games. Indeed, what is there you can sof do? You shine above all others. You have great gifts. But what use do you make of them? You hide behind these frowning walls. You are lost to the world of men, Are you angry with the people of Kaveri- patnam? Do you owe them a grudge? Truly; ~ the people think so. They speak of you with contempt. Your name and the name of your daughter are insulted. And I cannot blame them. Come now. Hide your beauty. and talents no longer. Make glad the hearts of the people once more. Come with me to the festival of Indra. Then will the people- rise and bless your name.”

Madhavi listened -gravely to her friend.. Her face was sad; but her eyes looked resolute. ‘“It is not this day that I have lost my fair name among men. Kovalan, my lover, was murdered. Yet I lived on! In

that, did | smirch my fair fame. As for Mani- mekalai, is she not the daughter of Kannaki ? Is not Kannaki the Goddess of Chastity ? Only a life of holiness is the fit life for her. Learn this, my friend. Sorrow without end is the lot of all who are born. Bliss without end is the heritage of those who attain freedom from births. Sorrow is the fruit of earthly ‘desire. Bliss is the release from earthly desire. And for this blessed release do I seek now and always. For this do I work and pray. For this alone do I live. Gothen. Tell my mother. Tell all my friends. As for the people of Kaveripatnam, let them say what they will. I remain here to work out my salvation.”

Vasantha-malai turned away. With tears in her eyes, she went back to Chitrapathi. Despair lay heavy on their hearts.