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296
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[OCTOBER, 1887.
them muffins in the morning and evening, out of come over his prospects, and wished to start at pity for them--for had they not loved muffins once to take charge of the new post. The 80 much that they underwent death in life?
king and his officers at once sent messengers XXIII.-The Bráhman Priest who became
to Nasjangod informing the officers of the
'dmildarf there that a newly appointed 'amilan 'Amildár:
dár would be coming soon. So they all waited In the Karnaçadesa there reigned a famous near the gate of the town to pay their respects king Damed Chamunda, who was served by s to the new '&mildár and escort him into it. household priest, named Gundappe, well versed Gandappu started the very next morning to in all the rituals at which he officiated.
Nañjangod with a bundle containing clean Chamunda, one day, while chewing betel clothes, sit and twelve cubits long, on his head. leaves, thus addressed Gundappa, who was Poor priest! Wherever he saw the kusa grass on sitting opposite him :
the road, he was drawn to it by its freshness, “My most holy priest, I am greatly pleased and kept on storing it up all the way. The at your faithfulness in the discharge of your sacred grass had become so dear to him, that, sacred duties; and you may ask of me now though he would have no occasion to use it as what you wish and I shall grant your request." amildár of Nağjangod, he could not pass by
The priest in his elation replied: "I had it without gathering some of it. So with always a desire to become the 'Amildar of his bundle of clothes on his head and his district and to exercise power over a number beloved kula grass in his hands Gundappa of people, and if Your Majesty should grant approached the city of Napjangod about the me this I have attained my ambition."
twentieth ghatika of the day. "Agreed," said the king, and as at that time Now, though it was very late in the day the 'dmildarship of Nañjangod happened to none of the officers' who had come out to be vacant, His Majesty at once appointed his receive the 'dmildar had returned home to his priest to the post, thinking that a priest, who meal. Every one was waiting in the gate, Was so intelligent in his duties, would do well and when Gundappa turned up, no one took in the new post. Before he sent him off, him to be anything more than a priest. The however, he gave Gandappa three bits of bundle on his head and the green ritual grass advice :
in his hands proclaimed his vocation. But (1). Mukha kappage irabéku.
every one thought that, as a priest was coming (2). Enaru keviannu kachchi mátan adu. by the very road the 'Amilddr would take, he (3). Ellár juttu kayyali irabéku.
might bring news of him whether he had Meaning -
halted on the road or might be expected (1). You should always keep a black (i.e. before the evening. So the officer next in rank frowning) countenance.
to the 'ámildár came to the most reverend (2). When you speak about State affairs priest and asked him whether he had any news you should do it biting the ear i.e. secretly- of the coming 'amilddr; on which our hero close to the ear).
put down his bundle and taking the cover out (3). The locks of all the people must be of it-oontaining the order of his appointment in your hand (i.e. you must use your influence with a handful of Kuda grass, lest his clothes and make every one subservient to you). be polluted if he touched them with his bare
Gundappe attended carefully to the advice hands, informed his subordinate that he was 80 kindly given by the king, and the way in himself the 'Amildár! which he listened to it made His Majesty All those assembled were astonished to find understand that he had taken it to heart. So that such a stupid priest was appointed to so with a smiling face the king gave the letter responsible & post, but when it was made containing the appointment to Gandappe, who known that Gundappe was the new 'Smildar returned home with a happy heart.
the customary music was played; and he was He told his wife about the change that had escorted in a manner due to his position into
• A Kanarose tule related by
riadider.
• A shiel revenue oficer.
