| Once upon a
time, he proceeded to North India on a holy pilgrimage to Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kasi,
Kanchi, Avantika, Dwaraka, etc. In the course of his travels in North India, he was on his
way back from Badarikasrama to Ayodhya. Then he became aware of the incarnation of Lord
Narayana. On a certain night he woke up from his bed and went out. As he lifted his gaze,
he saw in the southern direction a supernatural light, which electrified and filled him
with wonder and joy. He could not understand what that could, be. He feared whether some
villages were or fire or whether a forest was in flames. In the midst of such thoughts, he
was startled to find that the same strange light was burning steadily and enticing his
spirit. Successively for days, he saw the same light in the same southern direction.
He resolved to find out the mystery of that marvel and
proceeded southward. He would rest for the day and, as soon as darkness set in and the
strange light became visible, travel towards it. In this way, he passed many holy places
till he arrived at Srirangam, the metropolis of Vaishnavas. But he found the star still
farther south of that shrine. He pursued it steadily and reached Tirunagari where at last
the star disappeared, near the tamarind tree. |
