Chapter VII — The Meeting with the Prince

It was not long before the Prince found ‘Suthamathi. “I know you,” he cried. “I know you from the way you stand on guard in this lonely place. Where is your friend, the lovely Manimekalai? Is she ready to pity the pangs of her lover? Does she yet know the nature of love? Is she old enough to under- -stand its ways? Tell me, why has she left the ‘monastery? Tell me. I command you.” Suthamathi trembled. She felt like some small animal driven into a corner by a power-

ful foe. There was no escape for her. But bravely she answered the Prince.

“Hail, Prince! You spring from a noble line. Karikalan is your ancestor, he who wore the semblance of age that men might heed his wise judgments. So I need not talk to you of the wisdom of self-control.. Nor need I remind you of the duties of a prince. Still, let me say one word to you. The human body is the fruit of karma in one’s former lives. Each life develops karma still further. The*body itself ages and dies. It is the abode of ugly diseases. It is the home -of desire, the birth place of sin. Wrath lives there, as a serpent in its hole. The mind within the body grieves; it despairs and grows weary. Know then, valiant prince, the true nature of the body. Despise then, the temp- tations of the flesh.”

As Suthamathi talked, the Prince caught sight of the image of Manimekalai in the crystal. The-form was such as to inspire love in any man. At first, the Prince thought it must be.a vision. He deeply admired the artist’s skill. The picture was perfect. Then Manimekalai moved. He saw that it was the form of his beloved. He dashed up to the crystal chamber. He felt all over the walls.

But no opening could he find. He turned’ to Suthamathi. ‘ Where is Manimekalai? Her image is reflected on all sides. How can I approach her? O, talk of her to me. What is her nature like?’’

“Prince,” responded the woman soberly. “You look handsome and brave as a god. What woman would not delight in your beauty ? But Manimekalai cares not for the beauty of men. She has dedicated her life to- piety. Her heart cannot be moved, even by the might of love. Steadfast and holy is Manimekalai.”

“Can the banks resist the mighty river in flood?” demanded the Prince. ‘“ What avails. steadfastness? Love will burst through its. barriers. Love will take the stoutest heart by storm. Let Manimekalai be chaste; but let her be mine.” For a few moments:the Prince: brooded. Then he went on, “Men say you were brought to the monastery by a gandharva. He left you there. Tell me, Suthamathi, how came you to leave its walls to-day ?”

“May your garland never fade, O: Prince!” she replied. “May no evil thing. enter to poison your mind. Listen to my story.

“My father was an old Brahman. He spent his days in fasting and prayer. Because of my former karma, I fell a victim to the gandharva. My father’s heart yearned for me. He could not rest alone at home. He trudged the country in search of me. He came to: Kaveripatnam. By chance, -hermet me in the streets. But I was no longer fit to live with Brahmans, For my sake, he left the Brahmans.. He became a beggar. Never would he desert me.

* One day, a fierce cow attacked him. He was sorely wounded. He dragged himself to the Jain monastery. I had already found refuge there. Did the monks wash and bind his wounds? No! Angrily, they turned him off, and me with him. They shut the door in our faces. They said we were unclean.

“Painfully, we turned to‘the streets-again. Bitter were the tears we shed. Who now, would help us? He cried aloud in his distress,. ‘Is there no one in all Kaveripatnam to help us? Does the city hold one kind heart?’ One: kind heart there was. A Buddhist monk heard us. He was begging his way from door to: door. ‘ He thrust his alms-bowl into my hands. With infinite tenderness, he lifted up my father. He carried him to the Buddhist monas-.

28 MANIMEK ALAI

tery. There, we. were received with: true compassion, My father had every care. All that human Jove could :do, they did for my father,

* They talked, to us about the — Lord Buddha. They explained his doctrines. It is now my chief delight to praise My Lord, my King. - He was goodness itself. Yet he lived only for others. By righteousness would he guide man. By love, would he save man. May the blessing of the Lord Buddha rest upon ‘you, O Prince!”

The Prince saw now that Suthamathi would never help him to win Manimekalai. He frowned. “I shall go to Chitrapathi. She will help me,” he said. So he left the grove, and rode to his palace.

Manimekalai stepped out of the crystal chamber. A look of wonder and love was in her beautiful eyes. For a moment, she remained thoughtful before Suthamathi. Then she spoke. “The Prince thought me without honour or chastity. He believed he could buy me with gold. He - desired me; yet he despised me. But I cannot be angry with him. My heart is drawn towards the stranger. Is this then, the nature of love ? Ifit be so, then let love perish !”

MANIMEKALAI 2m