The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c13.94

v1.c13.94

In the meanwhile, Vitthala's army was advancing triumphantly through the Travancore country, and before it the panic-stricken villagers abandoned their homes to seek refuge in the forests. But when the army was only two leagues North of the village of Kottar¹, the vanguard stopped suddenly, unable to take another step further. The officers who were in the rear ordered the soldiers to march on, and then they learnt the reason of that sudden halt. "A tall majestic man dressed in black appeared in front of us", they said, "who reprimanded us and ordered us to retire at once"². The officers of the army, and among them perhaps Visvanatha and Vitthala themselves, could realize then that the fact was true; for Xavier was still standing in front of the army, in gigantic form and dignified countenance, ³ barring the way to the capital. Such an order the valiant commander could not disobey, and accordingly the troops were ordered to retreat. Thus was Travancore saved from the invasion of the Vijayanagara army through the prayers and at the request of St. Francis Xavier⁴.