LETTER TO AX INFERIOR 421
by the services he renders to his relations and friends, resembles the Chintamani \ Asirvadam 2 /
'
The year Kilasa, the fourth day of the month of Phalyuna. I am at Dharmapuri and in good health. I am very anxious to have news of thee.
*
As soon as this letter reaches thee, thou must go to that most excellent and most virtuous Brahmin Anantayah, and, prostrating thyself at full length at his feet, thou must offer him my most humble respects.
'
And then, without delay, thou must present thyself before the chetty( merchant) Rangapah, and declare to him frankly on my behalf that if he will now place in thy hands
the three thousand rupees which he owes me, with the interest due thereon at thirty per cent., I will forget all that has passed, and the matter shall be finally settled.
But if, on the contrary, he makes excuses and puts off the payment of the said amount, including interest, tell him
that I am acquainted with certain efficacious means of teaching him that no person shall with impunity break his
word with a Brahmin such as I am. This is all I have to say to thee. Asirvadam! '
Letter to an Equal. who possess
'
To them, the lords, the lords Ramayah 3, all those good qualities and virtues which render a man
esteemed; who are worthy of all the favours which the
gods can bestow; who are the particular favourites of the goddess Lakshmi; who are great as Mount Meru; who possess a perfect knowledge of the Yajur-Veda; they, the
Brahmin Soobayah. Namaskaram 4 /
'
The year Durmati, the fifteenth of the month of Veishaka, I and all the members of my family being in the enjoyment of good health. I shall learn with great pleasure
1
This is a mythical stone which is supposed to procure every blessing for those who possess it. Dubois.
2
The word Asirvadam means ' blessing.' Ed.
3
A superior and even an equal is always addressed in the plural, both in speaking and writing. This is a rule invariably observed among the well-bred. Dubois.
4 '
Namaskaram means respectful greeting.' Dubois.