Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/206

Rh the rain has never failed, and harvests have been plentiful, and no pestilence has visited this country.”

Soon after the king happened to visit the monk Dharmasravaka, with his family, to listen to his preaching of the Law. Surprised to find a young and beautiful maiden in the company of the monk, he enquired "who is this maiden of matchless beauty, who seems to be a mendicant and listens to the preaching of the Dharma?” One of the king’s officers replied, “There is none equal to this maiden in all Jambu-dvipa. I learnt the history of this maid when I went in a ship to Kavirip-paddinam and paid a friendly visit to the Chola-king Killi-valavan. The Buddhist monk then told me all about this maid. She is now come here from that city.”

“The alms-bowl which once belonged to you is now in my hands,” said Manimêkalai to the great astonishment of the king. You do not remember your former birth, nor do you know your present birth. Unless you worship the seat of Buddha at Manipallavam you cannot understand the nature of this prison of re-births. I would advise you to come there.” She then quitted the city, and flew through the air to Mani-pallavam. The king returned to his palace and learnt from his foster mother, Queen Amara-sundari, that he was not her son but was born in the hermitage of the Buddhist monk, and that the late king Bhoomichandra obtained him from the monk, and, brought him up as his own son. Having thus ascertained the truth of Manimêkalai’s statement, he was anxious to lay down the crown, and to lead the life of a recluse. He disclosed his intention to his minister Jana-mitra, who being alarmed at the sudden change which had come over the monarch’s mind, said, “My king! may thou live for ever! Before you were born, this kingdom suffered from severe famine for twelve long years, mothers abandoned, their babes, and myriads of people died of starvation. Like rain in the midst of scorching summer, you were born, and from that time forward showers have fallen in due season, crops have been abundant, and none felt the want of food. If you leave this country, I fear our prosperity will vanish and famine will again appear in the land. Tenderness to other lives is the first duty