When they it, he
said: "if my friends did not steal tile Lord's necklace, this cobra will not harm me.
If otherwise I am Willing to die from its bite." And the king introduced his hand into the pot.
The cobra did not harm him, and the king leapt with joy saying:
"My lord has vindicated His devotees!"
The ministers who saw it all felt ashamed and fell at the
king's feet.
The king excused them all.
Soon Kulasekhara found the life of a king incompatible with the
life of a God-man.
He wanted to live solely in the company of God-lovers.
So, he handed over the Government of his state to his son,
became an ascetic and consecrated his life to the service of the
Divine. |