10
GOLDBN LIVES OF THE EAST.
[PART I
flesh, sowing the seeds of Divine wisdom that were to grow later on into the mighty system promulgated by Sri Râmânuja, under whose shade rest, in peace and joy, countless Egôs, heartsore after trials untold and footsore after the long journey through lives innumerable.^ ^
PoigaiyAlvAr and *1
PeyAlvAr 3
. .Kyes.
PeriAlvAr
. . Face.
TirnmaIi§aiyAlvAr
. .Neck.
Kiila§6kharAlvAr an(f 1
. .Hands.
TiruppAnAlvAr 3
TondaradippodiyAlvAr
. .Breast.
TirnmangaiyAlvAr
. .Navel.
Mathura KaviyAlvAr
..Feet.
The Sandals of the Lord are named Sathakdpa after his favour- ite Alv&r.—{L. A.)
12 Alavand^r : ‘ the Lord himself incarnated as Namm&IvAr.* EmbAr : a Jlva, bound to the wheel of cyclic existence, w'as raised by the mercy of the Lord to the Dual Greatness (in this world and the next). — {Var.)
18 Mathura Kavi survived his master for 50 years and travell- ed about the Land singing the Sacred Collect and celebrating his Master’s glory. He composed a short poem of eleven stanzas on his Master, beginning with (Kanninun). He set up his
image at Tirnpagari and celebrated festivals in his honour wdth great pomp and splendour. On one of these occasions, some of the disciples of the Tamil Sangam at Madura took objection to the proclamation of the titles of gathakbpa. Your AlvAr is but a devotee and not the Lord. He was never admitted to the Sangam^ nor were his works placed on the Board. How could you then call him the Revealer of the VAdAs in Tamil ?” Mathura Kavi was pained to the heart, and, having neither men nor money to back him up, sought refuge at his Master’s feet, “Grant me. Lord, to put down these ungodly men and make thy face bright,” The next day, an aged BrAhmana came to him and said, “ It seems to me that if you write a stanza of the Sacred Collect, say the first foot of on a bit of a palm leaf and place it upon the Board, ga|^k6pa will look after his own.” Mathura Kavi adopted the expedient ; when, lo 1 the Board sank into the water with all the poets npon it. It rose again immediately, bearing the single palm* leaf. The dismayed crew straggled on to the banks as best they
