The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c24.162

v1.c24.162

Friendly relations were also started in 1608 between de Nobili and the then Pandya King of Tenkasi, Srivallabha, the brother and successor of Ativirarama ². The missionary wrote Srivallabha a letter inviting him ‘to hear of the things referring to his salvation’. The messenger sent by de Nobili, who must have been one of his disciples, was kindly entertained by the King. They spoke about God and the new doctrine preached by the Western sannyasi. Srivallabha showed his desire to see and hear Fr. de Nobili. Accordingly he replied that when he should go to Madura to pay a visit to the Nayak, he would see the Father and receive his instruction. Srivallabha went there on August Ist, and at once sent one of his Brahmans to the house of de Nobili, to visit the Father on his behalf; this envoy told de Nobili that His Lordship would come later on, to speak with him about his salvation. Unfortunately the Pandya fell sick during his stay at Madura, and he had not yet recovered when the letter that gives this news was written ¹. We could not find any further details about this interesting subject.