The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c24.110

v1.c24.110

10. But all these conversions could not be made as secretly and silently as de Nobili desired. For Albert had formerly been a disciple of a Pandara, who at once noticed his pupil’s desertion. De Nobili was afraid of this Pandara because of his influence at court; but the man himself, moved by curiosity, once went, exhorted by his disciples, to the house of de Nobili. The missionary received him as kindly as he could; and after they were seated, a religious discussion at once began De Nobili declared to him the tenets of the religion of Christ, and so clearly, that the Pandara openly confessed before his disciples that ‘Chhokkanatha (the god worshipped at Madura) and the ashes they put on their forehead were all sham, and that only the things taught by our holy faith seemed to him true’. On leaving the house, the Pandara told his pupils that those who embraced de Nobili's doctrine were worthy of much praise; and that he himself would help the missionary in his enterprise to the best of his ability. And his first advice to him was of great importance indeed.