आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)

Goda Devi 51
The dread spirit smiled and touched the Dasari lightly on the
cheek. The fellow was pretty clever! Fancy a land where one fellow
would give up the food that has fallen to his portion or another
who would give up his life to keep a word! No, he would not be
diddled out of his juicy dinner.
“Narayana! Narayana!” recited the Dasari and made several
promises. Finally, the musician said very much in the style of
Pothana’s Gajendra:
“From whom is this universe formed? In whom does it stay?
In whom does it end? It is Vishnu. Should I break my promise,
may the sin of having worshipped a God other than Vishnu
be mine!”
The Brahmarakshas now released the Dasari who went to the
temple and sang the glories of Lord Narayana in the Mangala
Kowsiki raga. Returning to the forest he called out:
“O demon! I have come here having rid myself of all desires
by worshipping the Lord. Also I have returned with all my
limbs intact. Check for yourself!”
The power of Truth is immeasurable. The Brahmarakshas
was taken aback. Huge and repulsive, he approached the Dasari,
circumambulated him with great humility and prostrated before
him. “In this wide world, among gods, demons and kings, there is
none as truthful as you are. This truth is scripture. There is none
equal to you. You have been swimming in the floods of music
with the help of your lute’s calabash shell. You have received the
grace of Lord Nambi, the presiding deity of Kurungudi. You have
heroism, knowledge, truth, devotion to the Lord. Who can equal
you?”
The Dasari embraced the demon with love. After all, the
greater was the demon’s sacrifice in voluntarily giving up his prey!
Was it not this which enabled the Dasari to complete his vow?
Now Dasari is here to be eaten. “I call upon the Lord to be witness
to my sincere self-offering!”
The Brahmarakshas shuddered.
“How can you be so pitiless? I have sustained this repulsive
body with human flesh all these days. Long has been my wait