Devadevi

In Tirukkarambanūr there lived two sisters, Devī, the elder, and Devadevi, the younger, dancers who performed before kings. Both were so beautiful that they captivated all who saw them, and they were accomplished in both dance and song. In those days a Chola king ruled from Uraiyūr, governing so well that the whole kingdom flourished in wealth and happiness. The king honoured Vedic scholars and musicians alike with generous gifts.

Hearing of this, Devī and Devadevi resolved to display their art before the king and earn his reward. They went to the palace at Uraiyūr and danced and sang before him.

Delighted with their performance, the king showered them with costly gifts, diamonds and pearls. As they left Uraiyūr, Devadevi suddenly wished to worship Sri Ranganātha, and the two sisters went to the temple at Sri Rangam.

On the way, they passed Vipra Nārāyaṇa's nandavanam, and its beauty and stillness drew them in. Devadevi asked her sister whether they were on earth or in heaven, and who could have created so beautiful a garden.

Her sister replied that it belonged to Vipra Nārāyaṇa, a great devotee of Sriman Nārāyaṇa, who had made it so that he could offer garlands to the Lord every day.

Hearing this, Devadevi wished to see him, and they went to his hut. Vipra Nārāyaṇa was watering the plants, and both sisters were struck by his beauty. Devadevi fell in love with him at first sight and told him so, but he paid her no attention and went on with his work.

Seeing this, Devadevi declared that she would win him over, and that she would stay there for a while. Her sister wished her well and left.

Devadevi gave away all the gifts she had received from the king and put on simple saffron garments, such as ascetics wear. She went to Vipra Nārāyaṇa and told him that she had lived her life until then without being of use to anyone, a life no better than naragam, and that she wished to spend the rest of it with him in the service of Emperumān.

Vipra Nārāyaṇa was glad that another soul had come to serve the Lord, and being kind-hearted, he allowed her to stay and invited her in.

Days passed. One day it rained heavily. Vipra Nārāyaṇa was inside the hut, performing his daily pūjā to Sri Ranganātha. Devadevi did not come inside but waited outside, and was drenched by the rain. So absorbed was he in his devotion that he did not notice what was happening outside.

When he finished his pūjā, he came out and saw Devadevi soaked through. He asked her to come in and gave her his uttarīyam, his upper cloth, to dry herself.

Taking the cloth, she said that since he tended the garden and walked many miles each day to gather food, his legs must ache, and she asked whether she might massage them. He agreed. In such small ways she drew him towards her, until at last his heart turned completely, and they began to live together.