Kuresa Joins Ramanuja

After escorting Ramanuja part of the way to Srirangam, Kuresa returned to Kanchi and went on to his village Kura, about three miles west of Kanchi. Being its lord and a very rich man, he was known as Kuranatha or Kuresa. He was as generous as he was rich. From morning until late in the night, the blind, the lame, the poor, and the disabled were fed and clothed freely at his door.

One night, when the day's duties were done, the heavy brass doors of his mansion were closed with such force that the ringing noise was heard as far as Kanchi. Lord Varada's consort, Lakshmi, asked Him about the sound. The Lord then explained to Her the greatness of Kuresa.

"Then I wish to see him," She said. Kanchipurna was ordered to go and fetch him.

Kanchipurna came to Kura and was received with every honour due to such a distinguished guest. He then revealed the purpose of his visit — the conversation between Lord Varada and Lakshmi on hearing the creaking of the brass doors. Kuresa was shaken.

"What!" he cried. "A sinner like me, a wretch, a worm, to loom so large in the Lord's eye? Crawling insect that I am — my doors to disturb the house of God! Pride obstructs salvation; humility paves the way for it."

So reflecting, Kuresa resolved to abandon everything and join Ramanuja at Srirangam. He put his decision into action at once. He gave away all his wealth, houses, and lands in charity to whoever came, and he asked his wife Andalamma to leave without regret every article dear to her and accompany him. Then they left Kuresa — that is, the village Kura — behind.

Kanchipurna returned to Kanchi and recounted to the Lord the extraordinary deeds of sacrifice that had followed upon Kuresa's repentance, and his departure. Lord Varada marvelled at how swiftly His grace had worked upon Kuresa's heart, and said to His consort, "Well, you have had your wish fulfilled now."

Kuresa pressed on. Fearless, he trudged forward. He and his wife were threading their way through a thick forest when night fell upon them. Andalamma, unused to such travel, feared thieves in the lonely tracts. Trembling, she turned to her husband and asked whether there was any danger.

He answered quickly, "Dear, if you have anything hidden on your person, then there is danger. Fish feed on water-worms. Fowls feed on land-worms. Death feeds on life. And thieves feed on riches. I suspect you have kept something with you, though I had told you to leave everything behind."

"Pardon me, Lord," said Andalamma. "I have left everything behind, except that I thought you might need a cup to drink from on so long a journey — and so I hid away one golden cup." Shaking with fear, she unwrapped the vessel from her cloth and handed it to her husband. He took it, threw it away into the jungle, and said, "Now walk on, lady. Your fear has been cast out."

Thus this matchless pair journeyed on and in time reached Srirangam. Ramanuja was overjoyed at their arrival. He sent his pupils out to receive Kuresa with every mark of respect and to conduct him to his Math (monastery). Ramanuja rose at his approach, took him warmly in his arms, and welcomed him to Srirangam — to himself, and to all the great work they were destined to accomplish together. From that day Kuresa made Srirangam his permanent home, living there on alms.

Thus did a great and indispensable personage for Ramanuja's life-work join him. We leave him here for a time and turn to see how Govinda was faring at Kalahasti.