From a play on Ramanuja

[premananda]

Place: Sri Rangam

 

[ A low caste man called villidhaasan and a beautiful lady called

ponnaacchi are prominently exhibiting their affection in public.

Ramanujar notices that and talks to him.]

 

Ramanujar: Who are you?

 

villidasan: I am a wrestler. The lady is not my wife. But I have

flawless full affection for her and nobody else. Her beauty is all

that I enjoy.

 

Ramanujar: If I show you something more beautiful, what would you

say?

 

villidasan: I do not think anything is more beautiful than Ponnaacchi.

Even in the temple, I see many people alternately looking at the God

and at other women. I do not take my eyes off Ponnaacchi. I am not

undecided like them.

 

Ramanujar: I am impressed by your frankness. Let me show you Ranganathar

and describe the beauty of the Lord.

 

[He takes him to the temple and villidasan is impressed.]

 

Villidasan: (bows) I am at your service.

 

Ponnaachchi: (bows) I am also at your service.

 

Ramanujar: You both can also join the maTam, as a married couple.

 

Some Students: (whispers) This is getting awful, Now he is

taking the lowest class of people into our maTam.

 

[ Ramanujar notices their apprehension.]

 

Scene-041

 

Place: Sri Rangam Ramanujar maTam

 

[ The disciples talk ill of Ramanujar's unconventional methods

and are upset by villidasan and ponnaacchi's presence.

Ramanujar calls villidasan privately. ]

 

Ramanujar: Do you see those safron clothes in the drying rope?

 

villidasan: Do you want me to wash them again, sir?

 

Ramanujar: No, No. I want you to cut a small corner of each

one of those. Including mine of coarse. That is all.

 

villidasan: I do not understand why, sir.

 

Ramanujar: Just do it now. Otherwise I will do it myself. You

will know later.

 

[Next morning the Sanyasi disciples are all upset. They all

curse the villidasan for being a cheap thief.]

 

Scene-042

 

Place: Sri Rangam Ramanujar maTam

 

[Ramanujar calls all the Sanyasi disciples]

 

Ramanujar: I have a secret to share with you. I need your help.

You know the maTam is running low on finances. We are getting

more and more pauper disciples like you. We need some money.

This is my plan. Ponnaacchi is wearing a lot of jewels.

I want you to steal them while she is sleeping and bring

them to me.

 

The disciples: We are shocked Swami. You are telling us to

steal. But we will do whatever you say.

 

Ramanujar: Now you know why I allowed Villidasan and Ponnacchi to

join the maTam.

 

Scene-043

 

Place: Ponnacchi's bedroom.

 

[Ramanujar's disciples slowly remove her earring, bangles, etc.

from one side. Then she seemed to move. They run away.

Meanwhile Villidasan wakes up and talks to Ponnacchi.]

 

Villidasan: You are still so possessive of your jewels.

You should have offered it to Ramanujar the first day itself.

I can earn more and get you more.

 

Ponnaacchi: Yes, dear, I wanted to do it. I only moved to

make it easier for them to remove them. I am sorry.

 

Villidasan: Anyway, we will give Ramanujar the rest of the

jewels right away.

 

[He takes the rest of jewels to Ramanujar immediately.]

 

Scene-044

 

Place: Sri Rangam Ramanujar maTam

 

Students: (to Ramanujar) We did it. But could get only half,

then she woke up.

 

[Ponnacchi and Villidasan enter]

 

Ponnaacchi: Here are the rest of the jewels, swami.

 

Villidasan: We apologize for not giving them earlier.

 

Ramanujar: (smiles) Now disciples, do you understand.

When you lost a portion of your safron robe, you were

so upset. You are so possessive, calling yourself a

Sanyasi. Here is this young couple, who are prepared

to give up everything they have. I wanted to test

all of you. Now go back to sleep.

 

(whole story found here: http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/doc/misc/tamil/ramanuja.play