The Swami next made for Rameswaram, to the north. Going on foot, he stopped on the way at Madurai, where he met the Raja of Ramnad, Bhaskara Setupati, to whom he had a letter of introduction. This devout Prince, one of the most enlightened of Indian rulers, became an admirer and disciple of the Swami. To him the Swami expressed many of his ideas about the education of the poor, the improvement of agriculture, and about the problems and potentialities of India. The Raja persistently urged the Swami to go to the coming Parlia-ment of Religions at Chicago, saying that that would be a most favourable opportunity for drawing the attention of the world to Indian spiritual thought, and also for laying the foundation of his future work in India. The Raja encouraged him and promised to help. Being eager to visit Rameswaram, the Swami took his leave, telling the Raja that he would let him know his decision about going to America in the near future.