“A BrŒhma˜a, even though he curse you, beat you or speak harsh words to you, is still worthy of adoration: so declare the saints. A BrŒhma˜a must be respected, though lacking in amiability and virtue; not so a ݵudra, though possessing a host of virtues and rich in knowledge.” The Lord instructed Kabandha in His own cult ( the cult of Devotion) and was delighted at heart to see his devotion to His feet. Having regained his original form (that of a Gandharva ) he bowed his head to the lotus feet of Ýr¶ RŒma (the Lord of Raghus) and ascended to the heaven. Having conferred on him his own (Gandharva) state the beneficent RŒma repaired to the hermitage of Ýabar¶*. When Ýabar¶ saw that Ýr¶ RŒma had called at her abode, she recalled the words of the sage (Mata˘ga) † and was glad of heart. With lotus-like eyes, long arms, a tuft of matted hair adorning their she had already acquired some celebrity for her piety and devotion; hence the poet has chosen to call her abode a hermitage ( a name generally applied to the abode of sages and hermits). This can easily serve as an illustration of the catholicity of the great Hindu religion, which, though rigid in social matters, does not fail to give proper recognition to individual merit and virtue. The whole of this episode is a great eye-opener in this respect. her, on the eve of his demise long before, that the Lord would visit her. It is this prediction of the sage that has been referred to above. head like a crown and a garland of wild flowers hanging upon their breast, the two brothers looked most charming—the one dark of hue and the other fair; Ýabar¶ fell prostrate and embraced their feet. She was so owerwhelmed with love that no words came to her lips. Again and again she bowed her head at their lotus feet. Presently she look some water and reverently laved their feet and then conducted them to a seat of honour. (1—5)