This is based on a dream—just a dream.

"Dream? Only that?" you are bound to exclaim and add, "haven't you anything better than 'dream' to write about?"

Well, I would like to. But this is not a dream devoid of any purpose.

You and I get delightful dreams, often—and there is as you know, difference of opinion about dreams, as between the granny and the medico—the latter says it is all due to indigestion and the former, though infirm, firmly believes that either the gods or the goblins are responsible for dreams.

And now for this dream—it is a dream majestic—something above the mundane! I am now inside a palace, and hear peals of laughter—now again I find myself inside a shrine. I meet a princess and her purse—and mark you, this is not all—I find a Golden Garuda, fluttering with pardonable pride—I hear a sob, muffled at first, but becoming louder later on—some sort of grumbling noise, almost like the whining of a pig, and wonder of wonders, a Platinum Pig trots out before the princess! All in a muddle? you are saying.

Yes! How else could a dream be! In fact there are very many muddle-headed people even while awake. This is after all a dream!!

And now, let me reconstruct for your benefit, this dream that I had.

"God bless you, Princess dear! God bless you" says the Garuda—and the Princess whom the Garuda blesses, offers, her 'Namaskaram!

"You have given me a garb of gold, Oh! princess! and I thank you for that. Even the Master whom I am serving with such zeal, has not thought of such a gift."

"Need you thank me for this insignificant golden garb, Garuda the Great! Blessed are you, in the company of Maha Vishnu—whose one touch, one look, one word, nay a smile, is enough to turn the whole of this Universe into gold—or gem—anything. The golden garb is but a beggarly gift, from this poor mortal?" says the princess, and she wanted to say more—but the Garuda with the gold garb, rose up majestically, and flew away.

I heard peals of laughter! Beautiful damsels, came running along and said, "Dull witted is this Garuda, princess dear! He thinks, that the garb of gold you gave, is a token of devotion!"

The princess flushed—and recovered in a second. Assuming a frown, the princess, scolded the bolder of the damsel, "Rightly have they named you as Mala the Mischievous! What mean you by this taunt? Do you doubt my devotion naughty damsels ? How dare you?"

"What matters, Rani Sahiba, if I doubt ! Poor Garuda has got not an iota of doubt. All that matters is that—and why worry about my sentiment or judgement?" says Mala, of course sandwiching her talk, with bewitching giggles and twinkles. The princess boxes her ear, and asks in a sisterly way, "Mala! Do tell me, why you passed such unholy remarks"—and Mala says "Maha Rani! I know the reason why, you offered this garb of gold to Garuda ! Poor bird ! He is mightily pleased with this gift of yours, and is not aware of the motive behind this presentation."

"What, Devil in damsel's form is my motive?" asks the princess, in an angry tone.

"Well! You princess know full well, that on seeing this garb of gold, Maha vishnu is sure to enquire, about you..."

Mala did not remain there to end her talk for it was just at that time the 'whining' was heard.
"What's that?" the princess asked, and all the damsels in different keys replied "What's that?"

And, lo! A pig stood before the princess.

The princess was a bit disgusted at the sight—only, Mala, was not! All on a sudden, Mala began to kneel be fore the pig, and pray. The Pig stood still for sometime—and then advanced towards the Princess—who began to scream. Mala intervened.

"Pray ! Forgive the princess, Almighty ! My princess is innocent! It was not her intention to insult Your August Self! Pray forgive her."

The Pig began to talk just like a human being.

"Mala! They call you the Mischievous! But you, alone are endowed with the Supreme Knowledge? Bless you indeed! In fact, I have a mind to turn you into a Princess, this very moment; only I thought it won't be to your advantage—you might lose the chance of getting the loves of a prince, but do tell me why this Princess of yours, insulted me. Garb of Gold for Garuda—she gave —what for? To get the choicest blessings from Me! Is it fair, decent, honest? The Pig was becoming louder every second, and the Princess was about to sob. Mala said in a pleading tone "Please, forgive the fair princess, this one time—I shall tell her the reason why you are enraged and ask her to make all amends."

"Mala ! What's it?" asked the Princess, and she was shivering from head to foot.

"Princess! I knew that this would happen. I knew. But I was a bit afraid, you would not understand me, if I were to tell the truth. You did an injustice, when you gave that garb of gold to Garuda the Great"

"Is it an injustice? And how?" asked the princess, forgetting for the moment that she was before her chamber-maid.

" Remember, princess! the place and time of your gift—this garb of gold?" queried the maid.

" Why not? It was at the Holy shrine of Sri Mushnam" answered the princess, wondering why such an obvious explanation was called for.

"Sri Mushnam! Yes, indeed, Rani Sahiba! Holy shrine one of the seven original Vaishnava temples in the South" Mala said, with fervour.

"Yes! Yes. indeed!" interjected the princess.

"And you forget, princess, the presiding deity there—Bhu Varagasami! God in Pig form! One amongst the Ten Avatars. And to go and worship there and at the same time, to present a garb of gold to Garuda, instead of to the Varaga! Why, that is sacrilege! Don't you realise, the heinous crime that you have committed? That is the reason why, you are marked out, now!" said Mala—with an unusual seriousness in her tone and demeanour.

"What would you think, princess dear, if a prince comes here, and gives me a jasmine garland, in your presence! That's what you have done! You worship Bhuvaragasami, and offer a gift to Garuda—unforgivable affront—an insult to Varaga ! Don't you realise the seriousness of your offence?" Mala's talk was at once an accusation and an explanation. The Princesses cried bitterly and begged of Mala, to get her out of the mire.

"Order at once, Platinum Pig, Princess dear!" said Mala—ordered I can as well say.

There was a rush—consultations—many persons came and went—there was a sort of smoke screen—I was not able to see clearly.

But all on a sudden, a band of workmen placed before the princess, a platinum pig.

"Offer your 'Namaskarams' Rani Sahiba!" advised Mala.

The princess did as told and all the damsels knelt before the Platinum Pig and prayed.

I, myself wanted to have a touch of the platinum Pig—principally because of the Platinum. But, alas, when I did place my hand, I woke up suddenly, and there was the daily paper in my hand —and rubbing mine eyes, I read this report published therein.
Donation for Temple
(Times of India News service)

The Rani of Sapra has donated Rs. 40,000 to the Sri Mushnam, Bhuvaragaswami temple, one of the 7 original Vaishnava temples in the South.

The money is to be spent for making a gold plated Garuda.

(03-11-1957)