The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c24.112

v1.c24.112

It has been often said that, when de Nobili moved to the Brahman quarters, he also changed his black soutane for the dress of a Brahman *sannyasi*. This is not accurate. Up to this time, *viz.*, towards the middle of 1608, de Nobili wore the black soutane, as contemporary sources clearly show. It was at the advice of this Pandara that he changed his mind once more, and changed his habit too, for that of a *sannyasi*. "He advised him to leave aside the dress of the Portuguese, which was hated by the Badagas (Telugus), and to put on the garments used in that country by the *gurus* and learned people who profess to teach the divine law". De Nobili objected that this dress was too showy and, therefore inconsistent with his vow of poverty; but the Pandara solemnly replied :—