Chapter 6 Summary

At the beginning of Chapter 6, the narrator observes that Raju has lost track of how long he has been hiding out at the temple. It could be months or years, Raju does not know for certain. Velan and the other villagers continue to bring gifts of flowers and food to Raju, in appreciation of all the new priest has done for them. At one point, Raju begins distributing the gifts among the villagers, embarrassed by the outpouring of respect and adulation. The people begin to call Raju "Swami." During the times of heavy rains, the people would all crowd around Raju in the temple. However, after a while, Raju notices that it has failed to rain for quite a long time. The villagers become nervous about the lack of rain and they bring their concerns to Raju, who instructs them not to worry...