The novice Devasahayam found himself compelled to openly express his newfound faith, sparking intense debates with Brahmin priests and scholars. This was particularly challenging for them, given his position as a palace official, which required him to uphold the predominant religion embraced by the majority of the population and endorsed by the King and the Kingdom.
He refused to partake in the "prasadam" offered by a Brahmin priest and vehemently criticized the priests summoned by his relatives to perform a "pooja" at his home in Nattalam as an act of atonement for abandoning the ancient religion. Strengthened by his unwavering belief in the Lord Jesus and his conviction in the truth of Christianity, Devasahayam fearlessly confronted the Brahmins employed in the palace, challenging them to defend their doctrines and convictions.
On one occasion, a high-ranking official in the king's court, the chief secretary, attempted to engage in a debate with the Servant of God in an effort to sway him and persuade him to renounce his Christian faith. Observing Devasahayam's steadfast faith, the official issued a challenge, threatening to discard the sacred thread worn by Brahmins if he failed to convert him and eradicate Christianity from the land. In response, the Servant of God boldly declared that if the Brahmin was unsuccessful, the same sacred thread would become his waist thread. Similar encounters arose when a Brahmin beggar approached the neophyte seeking alms.
