Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

quickly dispelled all the misgivings from the youngbrahmanas mind. As it was by now almost evening time, thefowler said, "Let us go quickly through this forest region,and then we can camp for the night near an underground riverthat is not too far from here"They set off at once and about an hour later came tothe banks of the river. The fowler collected some pieces ofwood and lit a fire. Then he prepared a camp site, so thatthey could spend the night there. Just before he fellasleep, Ramanuja heard the fowler's wife say to her husband,"My dear, I am feeling very thirsty. Can you look for somewater for me?""Now the night has come," said the fowler, "and itwould be foolish to leave the shelter of the firelight.Tomorrow you will be able to quench your thirst with thecool waters of a well that is just near here."THE LORD PROTECTS HIS DEVOTEEEarly the next morning they rose and continued ontheir journey. Soon they came to the well the fowler hadspoken of, and Ramanuja went down the steps to collect waterfor the wife of the fowler. Three times he brought water toher, but still her thirst was not satisfied. When he cameback for the fourth time, there was no trace of the coupleto be seen. They had completely disappeared. It was onlythen he realized They were in fact Laksmi and Narayana, whohad taken the forms of a fowler and his wife just to protectTheir devotee and guide him through the dangerous forest.Seeing the towers of temples and a cluster of housesnearby, Ramanuja asked a passerby, "Sir, what is the name ofthis town?"The man looked at him in amazement. "Can't yourecognize the reputed city of Kancipuram?" he replied. "Whyare you speaking like a stranger? I know that you are one ofYadavaprakasa's students, and I have seen you many times inthe city."Saying this the man continued on his way withoutwaiting for a reply. At first Ramanuja was taken completelyby surprise at this unbelievable news, but gradually hebegan to realize how Laksmidevi and Lord Narayana hadbestowed their mercy upon him. Then his heart became filledwith the ecstasy of divine love, and with tears rolling downhis cheeks he began to offer prayers:namo brahmanya-devayago-brahmana hitaya cajagad-dhitdya krsnayagovindaya namo namah26