Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

from His temple, the throng of people gathered around thegateway let forth a great shout of joy.In front of the gate a pavilion had been constructed,and the Lord rested there a while before continuing on Hisjourney. At this time hundreds of devotees took theopportunity to present their offerings to Him - coconuts,bananas, plantains, and sweet-smelling camphor lamps. Aftersome time the procession moved on once more, and the soundof the brahmanas chanting the Vedic hymns could be heard inall directions.As the Lord moved through the streets, housewivesappeared at the doors and windows along the way to givefruits, flowers, and betel nuts to the priests for offeringto His lotus feet. When the offerings had been made theprasada was returned to the women, and they were blessed byhaving their heads touched by one of the Lord's helmets. Asthe procession moved on and on, everyone's eyes were fixedon Lord Narayana and Laksmidevi, their hearts filled withdevotion.DHANURDASA'S MEETING WITH RAMANUJAHowever, walking amongst the crowd was one man whowas behaving in a completely different manner. He was talland handsome with broad shoulders and seemed to be walkingwithout any particular purpose, just being swept along bythe crowd. With his left hand he held aloft a decoratedumbrella with which he was shielding a most beautiful youngwoman from the sun's rays. In his right hand he carried afan, which he continually flicked back and forth to removeany discomfort she might be feeling from the sun's heat.It seemed that the young man's attention was socompletely absorbed in the beauty of his lady friend that hewas oblivious to everything else that was going on aroundhim. Though many people whispered and some made jokingcomments on seeing such a public display of affection, theyoung man did not notice this at all, so great was hisattraction to the lady's good looks.After bathing in the Kaveri and worshipping LordRanganatha, Yatiraja was returning to his asrama with hisdisciples when he noticed the young man walking with hiscompanion on the other side of the road. "Dasarathi," hesaid to his disciple, "go and ask that man, who is devoid ofboth shame and hatred, to come to me."Quickly Dasarathi crossed the street and spoke to theman, who was so engrossed in the beauty of the lady that hehad to be addressed several times before he became aware ofthe other's presence. Slightly disturbed, like a man who hasjust been roused from deep slumber, he then gave hisattention to the brahmana who had accosted him, joining hispalms as a mark of respect and saying, "Sir, how may I serveyou?"86