THE HISTORY OF MANIKKA- VAC AGAR. 93 



exact stage of religious experience* that according to the 

 (^aiva system renders him meet to hear and receive the 

 Gurus vv^ords, exclaims, " Henceforth I renounce all desires 

 of worldly wealth and splendour. To me, thy servant, viler 

 than a dog, who worship at thy feet, grant emancipation 

 from corporeal bonds ! Take me as thy slave, king of my 

 soul ! " Saying this, he stood weeping and worshipping at 

 the Guru's feet. One of the chief of the surrounding host 

 now mtercedes for him as worthy to be taught the mystery of 

 emancipating grace, and the god accordingly receives him, and 

 bids the attendants prepare at once for his solemn initiation. 



In the grove a stately tabernacle is prepared, surrounded 

 with rich silken hangings, and adorned with myriads of 

 fragrant blooming flowers and innumerable sparkling gems. 

 In the midst a lofty seat is prepared for the Guru, and the 

 neophyte is bathed with water from the Ganges, besprinkled 

 with perfumes, and prepared for reception by a variety of 

 minute ceremonies. He then presents food with many kinds 

 of luscious fruits to the great master, after which the initia- 

 tion begins. The Mantrams and holy texts are taught him. 

 He hears these, while his faculties are absorbed in loving 

 devotion. He then worships the sacred feet of the Guru, 

 and places them reverently on his head. With the imparta- 

 tion to him of all the mysteries of the (^aiva-Sidhanta 

 philosophy (NOTE XL), the initiation is complete. And now, 

 how changed is the youthful minister of state ! He is become 

 a Jivan-muttar, who lives in a body still for a little while, 

 but is one in feeling, soul, power and faculty with the Infinite 

 Eternal. He has put off his rich garments and adornments, 

 is besmeared with white ashes, and wears the peculiar habili- 

 ment of the ascetic. 



From his head depends the braided lock of the (^-iva 

 devotee, one hand grasps the staff, and the other the mendi- 

 cant's bowl : he has for ever renounced the world — all the 

 worlds, save ^ivan's self. And he is faithful henceforward 

 even to the end. In the whole legendary history of this 

 sage, Avhatever we may think of the accuracy of many of its 

 details, and whatever deductions we are compelled to make 

 for the exaggerations that have grown up around the 

 obscurity of the original facts, there stands out a character 

 which seems to be a mixture of that of Saint Paiul and of 

 Saint Francis of Assisi. Under other circumstances Avhat an 



* Catti-nipatham. (See Note V.) 



