THE HISTORY OP MANIKKA-VACAGAE. 117 



system His dignity culminates. He is one who in sviccessive embodi- 

 ments has drawn nearer and nearer to final deliverance (Mutti), and is 

 now in His last stage of embodiment (Note V). (j!iva lives in Him, looks 

 lovingly on the meet disciple through His eyes, blesses with His hands, 

 with His mouth whispers into the disciple's ear the mystic words of 

 initiation, and crowns with the lotus flowers of His feet the bowed 

 head of the postulant, who thus is to become as his master. (See 

 TiruvcK^agam, IV, 95.) 



The exact doctrine is set forth in the following ten sections of 

 Chapter V in Umapati's authoritative work 'The Fruits of Divine 

 Grace' {i\(^cu(QL.uiU^). 



Each of these sections consists of a question, an answer with its com- 

 mentary, and a summary. The answer is the master's teaching, and is a 

 couplet of exquisite Tamil, in imitation of Tiruvalluvar. (See Pope's 

 Kurral, Int., ^. vii.) 



Tiru-aruUpayan, Chajiter V. [Comp. Notes II-XV.] 



The Form of Grace. 



This chapter speaks of grace in the form of the Guru (divine Teacher), 

 who is mystic knowledge made manifest. This manifestation is the 

 * fruit of the grace ' spoken of in the last chapter. 



Q. 1. — Who is He that comes when twofold deeds are balanced ? 

 [CattiNibatham. See Note V.] 

 He who, taking His stand by the disciple in the time of ignorance 

 and bondage, gives grace, — the King who departs not, made 

 manifest by visible signs. (41.) 



Com. — While man is in this state of ignorant bondage, the Divine 

 Lord, the very centre of knowledge, appears in bodily shape as a 

 Guru. Neither from before the eyes, nor from within the Soul, 

 does this King henceforth depart. 



8uin. — Here we are told that divine grace assumes the form of a 

 Guru. 



Q. 2. — Is it essentially necessary that He Himself should come as 

 Guru \ AVill not learned men suffice ? 

 None know the disease that is within but those that are within. 

 Can the outer world too discern it ? (42.) 



