The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c24.120

v1.c24.120

In the following year, one of the most illustrious converts was de Nobili's own teacher of Sanskrit and Telugu. When their friendship began, the proud guru nursed fond hopes of converting the Christian *sannyasi* to Hinduism; but the result turned out to be quite other than he had foreseen or even hoped for. On June 7th, 1609 de Nobili announces this event, showing in his words the joy of his heart and his thankfulness to God: "Today", says he, "the feast of the Holy Ghost, I have baptised my beloved teacher: I cannot sufficiently express his joy, mine, and that of all the Christians. He has received the name of God-given. I trust he will do much for the conversion of the Gentiles, for he is a young man well known throughout Madura for his nobility, his cleverness, his erudition, and his profound knowledge of the sacred laws; and, what I esteem most, he has ever led a pure and regular life " 5.