His Christian Delight and Zeal for Spreading the Gospel:
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| After Baptism Devasahayam pillai and the Aasans of the Sathiria tradition preached Christianity. |
Devasahayam found immense happiness in embracing his newfound faith. Over the span of seven years as a Christian, he expressed his gratitude to God daily, shedding tears of joy for the gift of conversion to the Catholic faith.
He wholeheartedly committed himself to studying Christian literature and embodying virtues and faith in his daily life. Lazarus diligently strived to fulfill the responsibilities of a devout Christian, making a regular practice of walking long distances to attend church for spiritual nourishment and confession.
Filled with a deep sense of contentment and tranquility, Lazarus / Devasahayam was enthusiastic about sharing his faith with others. Driven by an irresistible inner calling, he felt compelled to guide and encourage others to embrace the Christian faith.
Conversion and Baptism of His Wife :
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| The first Objection against the Baptism came from his wife. After about three months by the grace of God and from the the instructions from Devasahayam pillai, she agreed to embrace Christian Faith. She was given the christian name Theresa ( Gnanapu -was her old name) |
Devasahayam's primary responsibility was to ensure that his wife underwent the same baptismal transformation as he did. However, when he suggested this to his wife, she was initially horrified. She couldn't understand or imagine how she, like her husband, could be considered one of the Christians who were regarded as the lowest in society, among the most unfortunate individuals. Seeking guidance, she also consulted her mother. Devasahayam's mother-in-law was even more resistant to the idea of baptism for her daughter and vehemently opposed it. Despite the opposition, Devasahayam eventually managed to convince his wife, and she agreed to embrace Christianity. Together, they traveled to Vadakkankulam, where Bhargaviamma was baptized and given the name "Gnanapoo," which is the Tamil equivalent of "Theresa."
Conversion of Some Soldiers and of Others :
Upon his return to Padmanabhapuram, the novice Devasahayam expressed his desire to join the Christian army under the leadership of De Lannoy, a battalion comprised of Christian soldiers. Naturally, Devasahayam's wish to be a part of this group was brought to the attention of the king, who was surprised to learn that Nilakandan Pillai had embraced Christianity and sought to enlist in the Christian militia.
Devasahayam's efforts were fruitful as he managed to convert some soldiers and persuade others to embrace the Christian faith. He also influenced some of his military companions to fight under the banner of Christ, seeking a heavenly kingdom rather than earthly power. However, by converting to Christianity, they forfeited the status of nobility within their tribe.
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