STELE 111

In an insignificant frontier hamlet abutting its northerly tutelary kingdom, a graceful young woman haphazardly lived who was wordless, deaf while also insignificant.

She apparently had no family of her own, was entirely destitute, slept on pavements, acted oddly. Folks were so uncertain to claim this woman that she nearly ceased to exist in their eyes.

Her hair was matted sadhu-fashion, thin cotton raiment clung to her thighs as she walked place to place in a trance-like state or scavenged like a hungry hamlet leopard adjusting her demeanour to rules of discipline, especially when halting in front of a house as she stood there patiently cupping her hands, her eyes staid calmly fixed on her hands as she ate what was given without delay, then licked her palms, her fingers spotless, peacefully stroking her cord-like tufts.

Due to this hamlet's distant remove, it was never to be ruled by either capital, blessed with integrity all its own. Its customs were unique…

One Spring day a stranger called who quizzed local folks on basic facts of tatter-clad alms woman. Getting no response, he urged local elders to launch a thorough investigation to uncover itinerant yogini's details.

Only after summoning temple records was it finally known that deaf mute nun was traceable to no genealogy whatsoever and inlet residents were astonished by this.

As for noble wanderer, he was well received by temple elders even though they could not tell him much of anything.

One thing led to another.