________________
58
RELIGIOUS SECTS
her service for that of VISHNU, and repaired to Benares to put himself under the tuition of RÁMÁNAND. Having disturbed the sage at an inconvenient season, RÁMÁNAND angrily wished that he might fall into the well of his court-yard, on which Pípá, in the fervour of his obedience, attempted to cast himself into it to accomplish the desire of the saint. This act was with difficulty prevented by the by-standers, and the attempt so pleased RÁMÁNAND that he immediately admitted the Rájá amongst his disciples.
Pírá, after some time, abandoned his earthly possessions, and accompanied by only one of his wives, named Sírá, as ardent a devotee as himself, adopting a life of mendicity, accompanied RÁMÁNAND and his disciples to Dwaraká. Here he plunged into the sea to visit the submarine shrine of KRISHNA, and was affectionately received by that deity: after spending some days with him, Pípá returned, when the fame of the occurrence spread, and attracted great crowds to see him. Finding them incompatible with his devotions, Pírá left Dwaraka privately: on the road some Pattháns carried off his wife, but RÁMA himself rescued her, and slew the ravishers. The life of this vagrant Rájú is narrated at considerable length in the Bhakta Málá, and is made up of the most absurd and silly legends. On one occasion the Rájá encounters a furious lion in a forest; he hangs a rosary round his neck, whispers the Mantra of Ráma, and makes him tranquil in a moment; he then lectures the lion on the impropriety of devouring men and kine, and sends
