18 
THE LEGEND OF ST. THOMAS. 
the Christian religion throughout his country, in consequence 
of which permission, he converted a hundred persons to the 
Christian religion. 
One day when some brahmans were performing their evening 
ablutions in a river, he went near and entered into a discussion 
with them. At length he bade them cause the water, with 
which they were performing their evening ceremonies, to rise up 
even to the sun. They tried what they could do, and failing 
they at last said to St. Thomas, "Is it possible to cause water 
to rise up to the sun ? " "Whereupon he, looking up to the all- 
powerfal God, first prayed and then poured out water, which 
immediately rose and went to the sun. These brahmans 
then embraced the Christian religion, and being ordained to 
the sacred office by the hands of Thomas, they became spiritual 
instructors, termed Casanayanars (Catanars ?). In this way 
having turned many hundreds of persons to Christianity and 
having placed an inspector (overseer or bishop) in charge of 
them, he proceeded and came as far as to Majdapur. 
He lodged there in a devastanam (or place of worship) 
belonging to Maylapur, and, working many miracles, turned a 
great many persons to Christianity. Such being the case, the 
brahmans, finding their religion to be losing its influence and 
authority, took counsel to effect by contrivance his being publicly 
hanged. To this end, when Thomas was asleep, the principal 
brahman of that temple killed his own son in the most sacred 
recess of the shrine, and then accused Thomas of the crime 
of doing so before Candapa Raja. The king caused Thomas 
to be called and inquired into the charge. Thomas said that, 
if he had killed the child, that child on being interrogated by 
the king would return no answer ; but, if he had not killed the 
child, then on being interrogated it would. Accordingly, on the 
king calling out, the child rose up alive and said that Thomas 
had not committed the crime, but that its own father had done 
so. The king was greatly incensed against the brahman and, 
bestowing large praise on Thomas, took him under his own 
protection. Besides, on giving him leave to dispute with the 
brahmans, ho always conquered in the discussion. The king 
