After the chariot left, the Jodhidar took Vandiya Devan inside his hut to his pooja room where he met his clients.
After pointing him to a seat, the Jodhidar asked him, "Who are you, thambi? How did you come here?" Vandiya Devan started laughing.
"Why are you laughing, thambi?"
"Nothing, Jodhidaray! I was thinking that you are such a popular astrologer, can't you can find out who I am through your astrology itself."
"Oh yes. Why not? I can find that out myself. But only problem is that if I see astrology that way then who is going to pay my fees?"
Vandiya Devan laughed out hearing this. "Jodhidaray! Who are those people who just now left?"
"Oh them! I know whom you are asking about, thambi! You are asking about those people who were here when you barged in. You are asking about those people who just now left in the chariot."
"Yes I am asking about them."
"Ask. Who said you can't ask? The people about whom you are asking about were two women."
"Thank you so much for telling me that, Jodhidaray! But incidentally I knew that they both were women because I am not blind. When I see somebody I can find out whether it is a man or a woman. I can find out even if a man is dressed like a woman." "Then why did you ask?"
"I was asking who those women were… which clan? What name…"
"Oh I see. Women are generally categorised into four categories. Padmini, Chithini, Ghandarvi and Vidyadri…" "Oh God!"
"What, thambi?" "I am calling out to my God and you are asking me what?"
"Why not? God is omnipresent, thambi. I don't think you have been in the company of the elders, which is why you didn't know this simple truth. God is present within you, within me…"
"Please for God's sake, stop."
"It was God who made me talk so long and it is God who asked me to stop."
"Jodhidaray! Who were those women who just now left? What is their name? What clan do they belong to? If you can please tell me clearly…"
"If I tell you clearly what will you give me in return?"
"I will thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Who wants that, thambi? Can you give me some money?"
"If I give you will you tell me?"
"Thambi, listen to this. Many people will come and go to a Jodhidar's house. I will not tell you anything about the people who left just now. And tomorrow if somebody comes and asks me about you I will not tell them anything about you either."
"Great! Azhvarkadiyan was right about you, I think."
"Azhvarkadiyan? Who is that?"
"You don't know him! The way he was talking about you I thought you knew him."
"I might know the person by sight but not by name. Can you tell me what he looks like?"
"He is short and stout. He ties his hair in a knot in front of his face. He is fair complexioned and applies sandalwood with the mark of Vishnu all over his body. If he sees a Saivaite he will immediately start a debate and if he sees an advaiti his stick will do the talking."
"Seems to me you are talking about Thirumalaiappan."
"Really! So he is known by different names?"
"Oh yes. He is known by different names in different places."
"So you are saying that he is a big fraud and one cannot believe what he says."
"Mostly three fourths of what he says will be imagination but one fourth will be true."
"So you are saying that he is a very dangerous person."
"We cannot say that too. If you are dangerous to him he will also look dangerous to you."
"So basically you are saying that one cannot believe what he says."
"It depends on what he said to you, thambi."
"For example, he told me that if I go to you to learn about my future you would be able to guide me well."
"I told you that one fourth of what he says would be true. This belongs to that category."
"Then please tell me something about my future. It is getting late for me."
"Where do you have to go, thambi?"
"Why don't you find that out through your jodhidam? Where should I go and where I shouldn't go? If I go to one place will my task get completed?" "Thambi, I will need some information about you to predict all this. I will need your horoscope; if not that then at least your name, star and native place."
"My name is Vandiya Devan."
"Oh! You belong to the Vanar clan."
"Yes. You are right."
"Would you be Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan?"
"Yes I am."
"You should have told me this earlier, thambi. I have your horoscope in my collection. If I look for it I am sure I will get it."
"Really! How come you have my horoscope?"
"What other work does an astrologer have, thambi? I have a collection of horoscopes of Princes and Princesses born in great royal clans." "But I am not from any great clan."
"Thambi, how can you say that? Your clan is so great that the poets have made it immortal through their poems. Haven't you heard any of those poems that poets have sung about your clan?"
"Why don't you tell me one?"
Immediately the Jodhidar sang a poem, which described how the great flag of the Vanar kingdom flew in all the kingdoms in Tamil Nadu.
"How is the poem?"
"The poem was very good to listen to, but it is a bit outdated. Today I can tie our flag only on a cow's horn and that too only if it allows me to."
"Today your fortunes are thus. Who knows how it will be tomorrow."
"I thought you will be able to tell me."
"What do I tell you, thambi? I am also an ordinary man like you. It is the stars that rule us. I just tell you what they tell me."
"What do the stars say about me?"
"You will grow day by day."
"Great! I thought I have already grown enough. I am so tall that I had to bend to enter your house. Please tell me something specific."
"If you ask me specific questions then I can tell you specific things."
"I am going to Thanjavur on an important work. Will I complete it successfully?"
"If you are going to Thanjavur for a personal work then you will complete it successfully. But if you are going there on behalf of somebody else I will have check out that person's horoscope."
"Jodhidaray, you are very clever."
"Don't praise me so much, thambi." "Fine, I will ask you directly. I want to meet the King in Thanjavur. Would that be possible?"
"Thambi, there are two great astrologers in Thanjavur - you will have to ask them."
"Oh! Who are they?"
"Periya Pazhuvetar and Chinna Pazhuvetar!"
"People say that the Chakravarthi is very ill. Is it true?"
"People will talk all sorts of things. Don't believe in it and don't repeat it anywhere."
"If something happens to Chakravarthi, who do you think will ascend the throne?"
"It is neither you nor I. Why should we bother?"
"Thank god it is neither you or I."
"Yes, thambi. To be the heir apparent of a kingdom is no joke. It is a very dangerous position."
"Jodhidaray, can you tell me the future of Crown Prince Aditya Karikalar in Kanchi?"
"You are going to Thanjavur on his behalf, right?"
"Yes I am - you found out at last."
"Right now I don't have his horoscope with me. I will have to look at that."
"How is Prince Madhuranthakar's future?"
"His horoscope is a very strange one. It is like a woman's horoscope. He will always be under somebody's authority."
"People say that Chola Kingdom is ruled by a woman. Is it true?"
"Where do they talk like that, thambi?"
"Near Kollidam."
"They are probably referring to the authority wielded by the Periya Pazhuvetar's young wife."
"No, they were not referring to her."
"Then?"
"They say that Chakravarthi's daughter Princess Kundavai rules the kingdom."
The Jodhidar looked at Vandiya Devan for a moment to ascertain whether the young man was aware of the fact that it was Princess Kundavai who had left just then. But he couldn't find out anything from his face.
"Wrong, thambi! Absolutely wrong! Maharaja Sundara Chola is in Thanjavur whereas his Princess Kundavai lives in Pazhaiarai. Moreover…"
"Moreover?"
"Nowadays it is the Pazhuvetar brothers who are wielding all the authority, not the Chakravarthi." Saying this, the Jodhidar looked carefully at Vandiya Devan.
Noticing this Vandiya Devan said, "Jodhidaray, I am not Pazhuvetar's spy. So you don't have to suspect me. Just a short while ago, you told me that the stars rule us. Can you tell me what the stars foretell about the Chola Kingdom?"
"I can tell you this without any doubt, thambi. Have you seen the new floods of the Kaveri River? The floods flow right from the end of Aani month to the Puratasi. The Chola Kingdom is like the floods that come in the Kaveri River every year. Its fame and greatness will grow year after year until it carves a niche of greatness in the history of Chola Kingdom."
"Thank you. Just tell me one more thing. I have always wanted to travel by ship. Would it be possible?"
"Your wish will be fulfilled, thambi. Your stars are very fortunate. You will be constantly moving from one place to another. You will travel by horse, elephant, chariot and very soon you are going to travel overseas in a ship."
"Thanks so much, Ayya. Tell me one more thing - what do the stars foretell about Prince Arulmozhivarmar?"
"Thambi! Sailors who travel by ship depend on a compass to know the direction. Sometimes the lighthouse is also there to guide them. But in the middle of the sea where you see water in every direction, the sailors depend on only one thing to learn the direction and that is the pole star. Even the Saptarishi mandal changes direction but the pole star is anchored in one place. Prince Arulmozhivarmar is like that pole star. His ideals, his knowledge, his bravery is unparalleled in this world. If young men like you keep him as a role model you will achieve your goal in life."
"My God! You have so much to say about him."
"Thambi, if you ask anybody in this kingdom about Prince Arulmozhivarmar, they will describe him just as I did."
"Thanks Jodhidaray, for reading my fortune. I will take my leave now."
"Your stars are lucky so you will be successful in all your ventures."
"Thanks so much. Please take this as a token of my appreciation. This is all I can afford right now." Saying thus Vandiya Devan gave the Jodhidar five gold coins.
"You are as generous as your ancestors," said the Jodhidar and took his fees.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Chapter 12 - Nandini
You are probably wondering how Vandiya Devan arrived at the Jodhidar's house when we had left him on the banks of Kollidam.
Here is how it happened -
After Azhvarkadiyan got into the boat, the Saivaite looked at Vandiya Devan and told him, "Thambi, I am allowing this fellow on the boat only because of you and on only one condition. He should not say that Mahavishnu's name while he is on it. If he does, I will ask the boatmen to throw him in the river."
"Nambi, did you hear that?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"If he does not say his Shiva's name then I will not say my lord's name."
"Who are you to tell me not say Shiva's name?" growled the Saivaite and started singing a song about his lord.
Immediately Azhvarkadiyan started singing poems of Aandal. Hearing this the Saivaite said, "Shiva! Shiva!" and shut his ears with a disgusted look on his face.
After the song was over, Azhvarkadiyan looked at Vandiya Devan and said, "Thambi, this saivar doesn't even want to listen to my lord's name but little does he realize that this Kollidam River is flowing directly from Srirangam where it washed my lord's feet. That is why Lord Shiva had meditated under this river at Thirvinaikaval because he knew that it is holy…"
Even before Azhvarkadiyan could finish, the Saivaite pounced on him from the other end of the boat. Vandiya Devan, the Kadambur soldier and the boatmen had to intervene and separate them both.
"I think you both want to capsize the boat, fall into the river and attain motcham. But I have no intention of dying right now," said Vandiya Devan.
"I don't know whether we will attain motcham, but one thing is for sure - we will surely end up in a crocodile's stomach," said one of the boatmen, pointing towards a passing crocodile.
"I am not afraid of crocodiles. My lord saved a mere elephant from a crocodile. He will surely save me also," said Azhvarkadiyan.
"No, No, your lord is very busy hiding himself behind the gopis of Vrindavan," said the Saivaite.
"Or may be your lord Shiva has got another Bhasmasuran troubling him which is why my lord has gone to help him."
"This Vaishnavan seems to have forgotten how his lord got defeated during the Tripurasamharam."
***
Why are Azhvarkadiyan and the Saivaite fighting like this? We saw a similar scenario in Veeranarayanapuram also.
About 600 years ago, Buddhism and Jainism were flourishing in Tamil Nadu. And during the same period great devotees of Vishnu and Shiva who were called Azhvars and Nayanmars appeared and composed beautiful songs and poems praising their gods, Shiva and Vishnu. Patronized by kings, they travelled from one place to another and were instrumental in building and renovating many temples in South India. Thanks to these great devotees, Buddhism and Jainism declined in Tamil Nadu.
At the same time, in a remote village in Kerala, there appeared a great saint. Renouncing the world at a young age he came to be known as Adi Shankaracharya. Travelling all around India he propounded a new meaning to the Vedas and to the Bhagwad Gita. He also established 8 seats of learning all over the world. Following his teachings, there appeared many Advaita Sanyasis who travelled from one place to another.
During the time of our story there was a huge religious movement happening in South India. On one side there appeared Veera Vaishnavas and on the other Veera Vaishnavas . Both parties tried to establish the supremacy of Vishnu over Shiva (or vice versa) by debating endlessly.
And sometimes the Advaita Sanyasis also joined these debates. If you remember we saw one such debate in Veeranarayanapuram and, not unlike that scenario, most of these debates ended in fistfights also.
There is also a popular story, which is told about the conflict between Saivaites and Vaishnavaites -
Once a Veera Vaishanavar was walking by the temple walls of Thiruvinaikaval. Suddenly a stone fell on his head and he started bleeding. When he looked up he saw a crow sitting on the gopuram of the temple.
Immediately he forgot his pain and hailed the crow, "Hey Veera Vaishnava crow of Srirangam! Raze this Shiva temple of Thiruvinaikaval to the ground!"
Now that we have learnt of the religious situation in South India then, we will be able to understand the animosity between saivars and vaishnavars.
***
After the ferry reached the bank, the Saivaite looked at Azhvarkadiyan and cursed him for one last time, "May you go to hell!"
The Kadambur soldier also left with the Saivaite to buy a horse from the nearby town. Vandiya Devan and Azhvarkadiyan sat under the banyan tree near the riverbank to talk.
Both Nambi and Vandiya Devan were interested in learning about each other's experience in Kadambur palace the previous night. But they approached the subject in a roundabout way initially.
"Thambi, you left me and went off to Kadambur alone yesterday…"
"You have no idea how difficult it became for me to get inside,"
"Really? Then what did you do? You didn't go?"
"No, No I went. Once I make up my mind to do something I do it no matter what happens. The palace guards stopped me but I threw them aside and entered the palace. Later my friend came and took me inside."
"Oh yes! I thought something like this would have happened. You are a very brave soldier indeed! What happened after that? Did you meet the guests? How many had come?"
"Many guests had come. I don't remember their names. But Pazhuvetar had come with his young wife. My God! How can I describe her beauty?"
"You saw her!"
"Of course I did. My friend took me to the anthapuram. I saw her there. Among all the dark complexioned women she looked like an apsara. Ramba, Urvasi, Indrani and all other heavenly damsels are incomparable before her beauty."
"I see. What happened after that? Did you watch the Kuravai Koothu?"
"Oh yes I did. It was enchanting. I remembered you while I was watching it."
"I just was not lucky enough to watch it. What happened after that?"
"There was a war dance by Devaralan."
"Did the Gods come upon him? Did he prophesy anything?"
"Yes he did. He said the land will prosper, rains will come and the kingdom will prosper."
"Is that all?"
"He said many other things related to the kingdom. But I didn't bother to listen to all that."
"You made a big mistake, Thambi. You should have listened to it. You are such a brave soldier but if you want to grow in life you must pay attention whenever somebody talks about the kingdom."
"I agree with you, Nambi. This morning, I too felt the same way."
"Why?"
"Kandanmaran came along with me to Kollidam. He was telling me that after the feast all the guests had an important meeting where they were discussing something about the kingdom."
"What did they discuss?"
"I don't know. Kandanmaran was talking generally. He didn't tell me anything specifically. But from his mysterious talk I was able to deduce one thing. Something is going to change in this kingdom. What do you think it is, Swami?"
"What do I think about what?"
"Everywhere people are talking and discussing different rumours. A comet is seen in the sky for the past few days. Will there be some change in the kingdom? People are saying that many big officials are sitting together to discuss who the next heir is. Who do you think would be the next king?"
"How will I know all that, Thambi? I am just a poor devotee of my lord Vishnu. All that I do is travel from one place to another singing my lord's praises."
Saying thus Azhvarkadiyan started singing one of his favorite Aandal poems.
"Please for God's sake stop your song," begged Vandiya Devan.
"It is such a beautiful song, Thambi! And you are asking me to stop it."
"Nambi! I have a doubt. Shall I tell you what it is?"
"Sure why not?"
"Promise me that you won't pick up your stick and come after me."
"Are you joking, Thambi? How can I come after a brave soldier like you?"
"I think your Vaishnavam, devotion and these songs is all just a drama that you put on. Am I right?"
"Oh my god! How can you say that?"
"I think you are acting as if you are a big Vaishanavaite just to hide your desire for women. I have seen many people like you who are mad after women. I just can't figure out what you see in them."
"Thambi! There are people who go after women. But I am not one among them and neither is my devotion towards my lord an act."
"Then in that case why did you ask me to give your message to that lady in palanquin that too when you know that she is another man's wife. And you wanted to come to Kadambur only to meet her. Please don't try to deny it."
"I don't deny it, Thambi. But I wanted to meet her for a different reason. That is big story."
"My horse hasn't come yet. I have a lot of time. Why don't you tell me that story?"
"This is not just any story, Thambi, but a real one. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"Only if you wish to tell me."
"Yes I think I will tell you. Who knows, you might be able to help me later. I hope at least then you will help me."
"Yes I will, but only if I know that it is for the right cause."
"Ok. You know this Pazhuvetar's younger wife - her name is Nandini. You will be shocked to hear her story. It will make you wonder whether there is any dharma in this world…"
***
Azhvarkadiyan was born in a remote village in the Pandya Kingdom. His father was a staunch Vaishnavaite. One day his father found a beautiful baby girl abandoned in their garden. He brought the baby home and adopted her as their daughter. And since the baby was beautiful and was found in a garden she was named Nandini. Azhvarkadiyan loved and cared for her just like a brother.
Growing up in an orthodox Vaishnavaite family, Nandini's devotion towards Mahavishnu blossomed. Noticing this, Azhvarkadiyan sought to bring her up like another Aandal. After their father's death he took charge of her future. They both travelled from one place to another collecting and compiling songs written by the Azhvars.
Three years ago Azhvarkadiyan had gone on a pilgrimage to Tirupati. While he was away Nandini fell into a terrible danger.
The final war between the Pandyas and the Cholas was taking place. The Pandya king suffered a terrible defeat. Wounded severely in the battle, the Pandya king was saved by his bodyguards who sought to hide him away until he recovers. As Nandini's hut was in the outskirts of the village they took the wounded king there. Nandini took pity on the dying man and dressed his wounds.
At the same time, the Chola soldiers started searching high and low for the Pandya King. Soon one band of soldiers found him in Nandini's hut and killed him at once. Pazhuvetar, who was one of the commanders who was leading the Chola soldiers. Enamoured by Nandini's beauty he kidnapped and married her. All this happened three years ago. Since then, Azhvarkadiyan had been trying to meet her and if possible help her escape but in vain.
***
After listening to his tale Vandiya Devan felt sorry for Azhvarkadiyan. He even thought of telling him that it was not Nandini who was in the veiled palanquin but Madhuranthakan. But something stopped him from doing so. He didn't want to take the risk of telling him that information without knowing for sure whether the story he had heard just then was true or not.
Even as he was thinking thus, he spotted the Kadambur soldier and the horse at a distance.
"Thambi, I need your help."
"How can I help you Nambi? Pazhuvetar is a very important and powerful nobleman in this kingdom and I am but a poor soldier. I don't know how I can help you?" answered Vandiya Devan carefully. But after a pause he asked, "Nambi, you say that you are not interested in political affairs. But can you answer this question? If something happens to the king, whom do you think will ascend the throne next?" and watched whether there was any change in Nambi's countenance but there was none.
"How will I know that? You should ask Kudandhai Jodhidar only."
"Really? Is he that good?"
"Oh yes he is. He is an expert in astrology."
Vandiya Devan immediately decided to meet him on his way.
Here is how it happened -
After Azhvarkadiyan got into the boat, the Saivaite looked at Vandiya Devan and told him, "Thambi, I am allowing this fellow on the boat only because of you and on only one condition. He should not say that Mahavishnu's name while he is on it. If he does, I will ask the boatmen to throw him in the river."
"Nambi, did you hear that?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"If he does not say his Shiva's name then I will not say my lord's name."
"Who are you to tell me not say Shiva's name?" growled the Saivaite and started singing a song about his lord.
Immediately Azhvarkadiyan started singing poems of Aandal. Hearing this the Saivaite said, "Shiva! Shiva!" and shut his ears with a disgusted look on his face.
After the song was over, Azhvarkadiyan looked at Vandiya Devan and said, "Thambi, this saivar doesn't even want to listen to my lord's name but little does he realize that this Kollidam River is flowing directly from Srirangam where it washed my lord's feet. That is why Lord Shiva had meditated under this river at Thirvinaikaval because he knew that it is holy…"
Even before Azhvarkadiyan could finish, the Saivaite pounced on him from the other end of the boat. Vandiya Devan, the Kadambur soldier and the boatmen had to intervene and separate them both.
"I think you both want to capsize the boat, fall into the river and attain motcham. But I have no intention of dying right now," said Vandiya Devan.
"I don't know whether we will attain motcham, but one thing is for sure - we will surely end up in a crocodile's stomach," said one of the boatmen, pointing towards a passing crocodile.
"I am not afraid of crocodiles. My lord saved a mere elephant from a crocodile. He will surely save me also," said Azhvarkadiyan.
"No, No, your lord is very busy hiding himself behind the gopis of Vrindavan," said the Saivaite.
"Or may be your lord Shiva has got another Bhasmasuran troubling him which is why my lord has gone to help him."
"This Vaishnavan seems to have forgotten how his lord got defeated during the Tripurasamharam."
***
Why are Azhvarkadiyan and the Saivaite fighting like this? We saw a similar scenario in Veeranarayanapuram also.
About 600 years ago, Buddhism and Jainism were flourishing in Tamil Nadu. And during the same period great devotees of Vishnu and Shiva who were called Azhvars and Nayanmars appeared and composed beautiful songs and poems praising their gods, Shiva and Vishnu. Patronized by kings, they travelled from one place to another and were instrumental in building and renovating many temples in South India. Thanks to these great devotees, Buddhism and Jainism declined in Tamil Nadu.
At the same time, in a remote village in Kerala, there appeared a great saint. Renouncing the world at a young age he came to be known as Adi Shankaracharya. Travelling all around India he propounded a new meaning to the Vedas and to the Bhagwad Gita. He also established 8 seats of learning all over the world. Following his teachings, there appeared many Advaita Sanyasis who travelled from one place to another.
During the time of our story there was a huge religious movement happening in South India. On one side there appeared Veera Vaishnavas and on the other Veera Vaishnavas . Both parties tried to establish the supremacy of Vishnu over Shiva (or vice versa) by debating endlessly.
And sometimes the Advaita Sanyasis also joined these debates. If you remember we saw one such debate in Veeranarayanapuram and, not unlike that scenario, most of these debates ended in fistfights also.
There is also a popular story, which is told about the conflict between Saivaites and Vaishnavaites -
Once a Veera Vaishanavar was walking by the temple walls of Thiruvinaikaval. Suddenly a stone fell on his head and he started bleeding. When he looked up he saw a crow sitting on the gopuram of the temple.
Immediately he forgot his pain and hailed the crow, "Hey Veera Vaishnava crow of Srirangam! Raze this Shiva temple of Thiruvinaikaval to the ground!"
Now that we have learnt of the religious situation in South India then, we will be able to understand the animosity between saivars and vaishnavars.
***
After the ferry reached the bank, the Saivaite looked at Azhvarkadiyan and cursed him for one last time, "May you go to hell!"
The Kadambur soldier also left with the Saivaite to buy a horse from the nearby town. Vandiya Devan and Azhvarkadiyan sat under the banyan tree near the riverbank to talk.
Both Nambi and Vandiya Devan were interested in learning about each other's experience in Kadambur palace the previous night. But they approached the subject in a roundabout way initially.
"Thambi, you left me and went off to Kadambur alone yesterday…"
"You have no idea how difficult it became for me to get inside,"
"Really? Then what did you do? You didn't go?"
"No, No I went. Once I make up my mind to do something I do it no matter what happens. The palace guards stopped me but I threw them aside and entered the palace. Later my friend came and took me inside."
"Oh yes! I thought something like this would have happened. You are a very brave soldier indeed! What happened after that? Did you meet the guests? How many had come?"
"Many guests had come. I don't remember their names. But Pazhuvetar had come with his young wife. My God! How can I describe her beauty?"
"You saw her!"
"Of course I did. My friend took me to the anthapuram. I saw her there. Among all the dark complexioned women she looked like an apsara. Ramba, Urvasi, Indrani and all other heavenly damsels are incomparable before her beauty."
"I see. What happened after that? Did you watch the Kuravai Koothu?"
"Oh yes I did. It was enchanting. I remembered you while I was watching it."
"I just was not lucky enough to watch it. What happened after that?"
"There was a war dance by Devaralan."
"Did the Gods come upon him? Did he prophesy anything?"
"Yes he did. He said the land will prosper, rains will come and the kingdom will prosper."
"Is that all?"
"He said many other things related to the kingdom. But I didn't bother to listen to all that."
"You made a big mistake, Thambi. You should have listened to it. You are such a brave soldier but if you want to grow in life you must pay attention whenever somebody talks about the kingdom."
"I agree with you, Nambi. This morning, I too felt the same way."
"Why?"
"Kandanmaran came along with me to Kollidam. He was telling me that after the feast all the guests had an important meeting where they were discussing something about the kingdom."
"What did they discuss?"
"I don't know. Kandanmaran was talking generally. He didn't tell me anything specifically. But from his mysterious talk I was able to deduce one thing. Something is going to change in this kingdom. What do you think it is, Swami?"
"What do I think about what?"
"Everywhere people are talking and discussing different rumours. A comet is seen in the sky for the past few days. Will there be some change in the kingdom? People are saying that many big officials are sitting together to discuss who the next heir is. Who do you think would be the next king?"
"How will I know all that, Thambi? I am just a poor devotee of my lord Vishnu. All that I do is travel from one place to another singing my lord's praises."
Saying thus Azhvarkadiyan started singing one of his favorite Aandal poems.
"Please for God's sake stop your song," begged Vandiya Devan.
"It is such a beautiful song, Thambi! And you are asking me to stop it."
"Nambi! I have a doubt. Shall I tell you what it is?"
"Sure why not?"
"Promise me that you won't pick up your stick and come after me."
"Are you joking, Thambi? How can I come after a brave soldier like you?"
"I think your Vaishnavam, devotion and these songs is all just a drama that you put on. Am I right?"
"Oh my god! How can you say that?"
"I think you are acting as if you are a big Vaishanavaite just to hide your desire for women. I have seen many people like you who are mad after women. I just can't figure out what you see in them."
"Thambi! There are people who go after women. But I am not one among them and neither is my devotion towards my lord an act."
"Then in that case why did you ask me to give your message to that lady in palanquin that too when you know that she is another man's wife. And you wanted to come to Kadambur only to meet her. Please don't try to deny it."
"I don't deny it, Thambi. But I wanted to meet her for a different reason. That is big story."
"My horse hasn't come yet. I have a lot of time. Why don't you tell me that story?"
"This is not just any story, Thambi, but a real one. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"Only if you wish to tell me."
"Yes I think I will tell you. Who knows, you might be able to help me later. I hope at least then you will help me."
"Yes I will, but only if I know that it is for the right cause."
"Ok. You know this Pazhuvetar's younger wife - her name is Nandini. You will be shocked to hear her story. It will make you wonder whether there is any dharma in this world…"
***
Azhvarkadiyan was born in a remote village in the Pandya Kingdom. His father was a staunch Vaishnavaite. One day his father found a beautiful baby girl abandoned in their garden. He brought the baby home and adopted her as their daughter. And since the baby was beautiful and was found in a garden she was named Nandini. Azhvarkadiyan loved and cared for her just like a brother.
Growing up in an orthodox Vaishnavaite family, Nandini's devotion towards Mahavishnu blossomed. Noticing this, Azhvarkadiyan sought to bring her up like another Aandal. After their father's death he took charge of her future. They both travelled from one place to another collecting and compiling songs written by the Azhvars.
Three years ago Azhvarkadiyan had gone on a pilgrimage to Tirupati. While he was away Nandini fell into a terrible danger.
The final war between the Pandyas and the Cholas was taking place. The Pandya king suffered a terrible defeat. Wounded severely in the battle, the Pandya king was saved by his bodyguards who sought to hide him away until he recovers. As Nandini's hut was in the outskirts of the village they took the wounded king there. Nandini took pity on the dying man and dressed his wounds.
At the same time, the Chola soldiers started searching high and low for the Pandya King. Soon one band of soldiers found him in Nandini's hut and killed him at once. Pazhuvetar, who was one of the commanders who was leading the Chola soldiers. Enamoured by Nandini's beauty he kidnapped and married her. All this happened three years ago. Since then, Azhvarkadiyan had been trying to meet her and if possible help her escape but in vain.
***
After listening to his tale Vandiya Devan felt sorry for Azhvarkadiyan. He even thought of telling him that it was not Nandini who was in the veiled palanquin but Madhuranthakan. But something stopped him from doing so. He didn't want to take the risk of telling him that information without knowing for sure whether the story he had heard just then was true or not.
Even as he was thinking thus, he spotted the Kadambur soldier and the horse at a distance.
"Thambi, I need your help."
"How can I help you Nambi? Pazhuvetar is a very important and powerful nobleman in this kingdom and I am but a poor soldier. I don't know how I can help you?" answered Vandiya Devan carefully. But after a pause he asked, "Nambi, you say that you are not interested in political affairs. But can you answer this question? If something happens to the king, whom do you think will ascend the throne next?" and watched whether there was any change in Nambi's countenance but there was none.
"How will I know that? You should ask Kudandhai Jodhidar only."
"Really? Is he that good?"
"Oh yes he is. He is an expert in astrology."
Vandiya Devan immediately decided to meet him on his way.
Chapter 11 - Sudden Entry
Modern-day Kumbakonam (near Thanjavur) was called Kudhandhai in those days. It was situated between Thanjavur and Pazhaiarai, the old capital of the Cholas. It was not only famous for its temples but also for Kudandhai Jodhidar who was patronized by the members of the royal family and other noblemen. Which is why he had a huge collection of horoscopes of Princesses and Princes belonging to different clans. He took out Vanathi's horoscope from this collection and studied it intently.
After some time he looked up to see Vanathi's face then looked back a the horoscope and then looked up again…
"Jodhidaray! Are you going to say something or not?" asked Kundavai, losing her patience.
"Amma, what will I say? What do I say? I am rendered speechless. Once when I had looked at this horoscope by chance I couldn't believe it myself. But now when I look at this girl's face and her horoscope I am very much astonished," said the Jodhidar at last.
"Well if you are astonished enough, can you please tell us something?" asked Kundavai.
"Amma, this is a very lucky horoscope. If you don't misunderstand me I would like to tell you one thing. Her horoscope is more lucky and fortunate than yours. I have never in my life come across such a lucky horoscope before," he declared.
Kundavai smiled and looked at Vanathi who was looking shy, "Akka, how come this Jodhidar is calling this unlucky being the luckiest person in the world?" asked Vanathi with disbelief.
"Amma what did you say? If my predictions about you are wrong, I will leave my profession."
"No Jodhidaray! Don't do that. You are helping people a lot with your advice and skill. She does not believe because you are talking generally. Can you tell us something specific?" asked Kundavai.
"Okay. Four months ago an incident occurred which seemed inauspicious. But it is not so because she is going to get all the luck in the world only after that."
"Vanathi, what did I tell you? See?" exclaimed Kundavai.
"I think you told him all this beforehand."
"Look how she is talking Jodhidaray!"
"Let her talk amma, tomorrow when she gets married to the greatest of the kings…"
"Well said! All young girls love to hear about their marriage. Where will her groom come from? Can you tell us something about his present location?"
"Oh yes I can," he said and studied the horoscope intently.
"Amma, the groom for this princess belongs to this Kingdom. But right now he is not in this country. He has gone overseas."
Hearing this Kundavai looked at Vanathi whose face reflected the happiness of her heart.
"Who is he? Which clan will he belong to? Is there some way to know who he is?"
"Oh yes. This girl's groom will have the Sangu Chakram mark in his hands."
Kundavai looked again excitedly at Vanathi, but Vanathi was looking down.
"Then there will be a mark in her hand also," exclaimed Kundavai.
"Amma, Have you ever seen this girl's feet?"
"Jodhidaray! What are you talking? Do you want me to fall at her feet?"
"No! No! I am not saying that. What I am saying is, one day many queens, princesses, and noblewomen would consider themselves fortunate to bow down before her feet."
"Akka, this old man is making fun of me. Is this why you brought me here? Come let us leave," exclaimed Vanathi with anger.
"Why are you getting excited my girl? Let him say anything he wants."
"I am not saying anything from imagination. It is all written in her horoscope. Ask her to show the lines on her feet. If the lines of the lotus flower are not there, then I will leave this profession."
"Enough Jodhidaray! If you say even one more word about her she is going to drag me out of this house. Can you tell us something about her groom?"
"Sure why not? Her husband will be a very brave soldier. He will win a hundred battles. He will be a great king - a Chakarvarthi who will rule over many kingdoms…"
"I don't believe this! How is this possible?" exclaimed Kundavai who was looking both pleased and worried at the same time.
"Even I don't believe all this. I think he is saying all this because he thinks that you will be happy to hear it," said Vanathi.
"Amma if you don't believe me now that is fine. But one day you will believe me. Please don't forget this poor astrologer at that time."
"Akka shall we go?" asked Vanathi who was on the verge of tears.
"I have just one more thing to tell amma, the Prince who will marry this girl will have many hurdles and dangers to pass through…"
"Oh God!" exclaimed both the women.
"But he will surpass all the dangers and hurdles and attain greatness. Amma, one day just take a look at her stomach. If she doesn't have the lines of the banyan leaf I will leave this profession."
"What is so special about banyan leaf?"
"Don't you know who resides in the banyan leaf? The Great Mahavishnu himself! A child will be born to this girl - who will be the very embodiment of Mahavishnu. Unlike her husband her child will not have any danger or hurdle. Wherever he goes he will be victorious. He will conquer many lands, win many battles and he will be known as the greatest king in history…"
As the Jodhidar went on like this, Kundavai in rapt attention heard every word of his with her eyes wide open. Suddenly she heard Vanathi's faint voice.
"Akka! I am feeling faint," moaned Vanathi and fainted.
"Jodhidaray! Hurry, get me some water," said Kundavai and pulled Vanathi onto her lap. And when the Jodhidar got a jar of water she sprinkled a handful on Vanathi's face.
"Don't worry amma, everything will be alright," consoled the Jodhidar.
"No, No, I am not worried. This is nothing new. She has a habit of fainting. After some time she will wake up and ask what happened," said Kundavai.
And then lowering her voice, Kundavai asked, "Jodhidaray, I came to ask one very important thing. Everywhere people are discussing disturbing rumours. A comet is seen in the sky for the past few days. Is there a meaning behind all this? Is there any danger to the kingdom?"
"Amma, this one thing I cannot tell you. There is no horoscope for countries and kingdoms. So we cannot make any kind of prediction about all this. Maybe a soothsayer can predict events with the help of his third eye but not this poor astrologer."
"Jodhidaray! You are very clever. I know that there cannot be a horoscope for kingdoms but if you look at my father's and brother's horoscopes you can surely tell the future of this kingdom can't you?"
"I will do that leisurely on another day amma. In general, times are not good. Everybody in the royal family will have to be a bit careful."
"I am very worried about my father. I don't think his health has improved since he left Pazhaiarai."
"I told you earlier itself amma. There is a big danger to Maharaja's life and to the entire royal family. Only Durga devi will be able to avert it."
"Akka, where are we?" asked Vanathi faintly as she opened her eyes in Kundavai's lap.
"Sweetheart! You are still in earth. Your chariot to heaven hasn't arrived still. Can you get up and walk or do I have to carry you?"
Vanathi sat up immediately and asked, "Did I faint Akka?"
"No you just slept off in my lap. I even sang a lullaby for you. Didn't you hear it?"
"Don't get angry Akka! I didn't do it deliberately."
"Oh no you didn't. If the Jodhidar had told me similar predictions even I would have fainted."
"No, Akka! It is not because of that. I didn't believe his predictions anyway."
"I don't know whether you believed them or not but you scared the Jodhidar nicely. I shouldn't have brought a coward like you along with me."
"I told you earlier that I won't come. It was you who brought me here."
"It is my fault dear girl. Get up. Can you walk or shall I carry you?"
"No, I can walk."
"One second amma, I will get Durga Devi's prasadam for you," said the astrologer and started closing the olai suvadi.
"Jodhidaray! You said so many things about me. But you didn't say anything about Akka," asked Vanathi.
"Amma, I have read Illayapirathi's horoscope before. What else would you like to know?"
"Tell me about the lucky prince who is going to marry her."
"He will be a brave soldier, blessed by Brihaspati in intelligence, graced by Saraswathi in learning. He will also be as skillful as Arjuna and as handsome as Manmadan."
"When will this prince come?"
"He is coming amma. He will appear before her very soon."
Kundavai much amused by all this asked, "How will he come? On horse or chariot or else will he walk it up here or will he jump down here from the roof?"
"Akka, I can hear a horse outside."
"You will always hear all kinds of noise."
"No I am not joking. Listen carefully."
Vanathi was right. They could hear a horse neighing outside the house.
"So what? People will be riding horses in Kudandhai town. What about it?"
"No I think it is coming here."
"You will hear all sorts of strange things. Come let us go."
At the same they heard an argument outside the house.
"Is this the Jodhidar's house?"
"Yes. Who are you?"
"Is the Jodhidar there?"
"You can't go inside."
"Why not?"
"I won't let you."
"I want to see the Jodhidar."
"Come afterwards."
"I can't. I am in a hurry."
"Hey stop don't go inside!"
"Stand back. If you try to stop me I will kill you."
"Sir, Sir, Please don't go inside."
At this instant a young soldier barged into the house while the Jodhidar's pupil was trying to hold him from behind.
I am sure you would have guessed who this young soldier is. Who else could it be but our friend Vandiya Devan?
Everybody looked at Vandiya Devan and he too looked at everybody. Sorry, he looked only at one person in the house. Even that is an understatement. He saw only Kundavai's face but that too not properly. He looked at her beautiful lips, her laughing eyes, her glowing fair complexion and her flushed cheeks in parts and they registered in his mind separately.
All this happened in a split of a second. The next instant he turned towards the Jodhidar's pupil and asked, "Hey, why didn't you tell me that there were women inside the house? If you had done that then I wouldn't have barged in like this." And then he turned and walked out of the house but not before shooting another glance at Kundavai.
"My God! Looks as if a storm came and went!" exclaimed Kundavai.
"It's still not over. Listen to that," said Vanathi.
Vandiya Devan and the Jodhidar's pupil were still arguing outside the house.
"Jodhidaray! Who is he?" asked Kundavai.
"I don't know amma, seems like he has come from some other place."
Kundavai thought about something and burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing Akka?"
"You are asking me why? Just a short while ago we were talking about when and how my groom will come? That's why I am laughing," said Kundavai and laughed. Vanathi joined in the laughter with her.
The Jodhidar gave them both kungumum and the prasadam with a thoughtful look on his face. After taking the kungumum both the ladies took leave of the astrologer and came out of the hut. The Jodhidar too came out along with them.
Outside Vandiya Devan was standing. When they came out, he apologized, "I am sorry. I didn't know there were women inside otherwise I wouldn't have barged in."
Kundavai looked at him mischievously but didn't say a word. She took Vanathi's hand in hers and walked upto the chariot that was waiting for them.
Incensed by her lack of attention towards him Vandiya Devan declared loudly, "The women in Kudandhai don't seem to have any manners. They don't even have the courtesy to answer somebody who is talking to them."
After the women got into the chariot the charioteer steered it towards the road. Vandiya Devan stood watching it until the chariot disappeared.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Sangu Chakram - Literally, a shell and a conch. The symbol of Vishnu
Brihaspati - The teacher of the Gods in the Hindu pantheon
Saraswathi -The Hindu Goddess of learning
Arjuna - In the epic Mahabaratham, one of the Pandavas and a great archer
Manmadan - The Hindu god of love
kungumum - Vermilion
prasadam - Food offered to God which is later distributed among devotees
After some time he looked up to see Vanathi's face then looked back a the horoscope and then looked up again…
"Jodhidaray! Are you going to say something or not?" asked Kundavai, losing her patience.
"Amma, what will I say? What do I say? I am rendered speechless. Once when I had looked at this horoscope by chance I couldn't believe it myself. But now when I look at this girl's face and her horoscope I am very much astonished," said the Jodhidar at last.
"Well if you are astonished enough, can you please tell us something?" asked Kundavai.
"Amma, this is a very lucky horoscope. If you don't misunderstand me I would like to tell you one thing. Her horoscope is more lucky and fortunate than yours. I have never in my life come across such a lucky horoscope before," he declared.
Kundavai smiled and looked at Vanathi who was looking shy, "Akka, how come this Jodhidar is calling this unlucky being the luckiest person in the world?" asked Vanathi with disbelief.
"Amma what did you say? If my predictions about you are wrong, I will leave my profession."
"No Jodhidaray! Don't do that. You are helping people a lot with your advice and skill. She does not believe because you are talking generally. Can you tell us something specific?" asked Kundavai.
"Okay. Four months ago an incident occurred which seemed inauspicious. But it is not so because she is going to get all the luck in the world only after that."
"Vanathi, what did I tell you? See?" exclaimed Kundavai.
"I think you told him all this beforehand."
"Look how she is talking Jodhidaray!"
"Let her talk amma, tomorrow when she gets married to the greatest of the kings…"
"Well said! All young girls love to hear about their marriage. Where will her groom come from? Can you tell us something about his present location?"
"Oh yes I can," he said and studied the horoscope intently.
"Amma, the groom for this princess belongs to this Kingdom. But right now he is not in this country. He has gone overseas."
Hearing this Kundavai looked at Vanathi whose face reflected the happiness of her heart.
"Who is he? Which clan will he belong to? Is there some way to know who he is?"
"Oh yes. This girl's groom will have the Sangu Chakram mark in his hands."
Kundavai looked again excitedly at Vanathi, but Vanathi was looking down.
"Then there will be a mark in her hand also," exclaimed Kundavai.
"Amma, Have you ever seen this girl's feet?"
"Jodhidaray! What are you talking? Do you want me to fall at her feet?"
"No! No! I am not saying that. What I am saying is, one day many queens, princesses, and noblewomen would consider themselves fortunate to bow down before her feet."
"Akka, this old man is making fun of me. Is this why you brought me here? Come let us leave," exclaimed Vanathi with anger.
"Why are you getting excited my girl? Let him say anything he wants."
"I am not saying anything from imagination. It is all written in her horoscope. Ask her to show the lines on her feet. If the lines of the lotus flower are not there, then I will leave this profession."
"Enough Jodhidaray! If you say even one more word about her she is going to drag me out of this house. Can you tell us something about her groom?"
"Sure why not? Her husband will be a very brave soldier. He will win a hundred battles. He will be a great king - a Chakarvarthi who will rule over many kingdoms…"
"I don't believe this! How is this possible?" exclaimed Kundavai who was looking both pleased and worried at the same time.
"Even I don't believe all this. I think he is saying all this because he thinks that you will be happy to hear it," said Vanathi.
"Amma if you don't believe me now that is fine. But one day you will believe me. Please don't forget this poor astrologer at that time."
"Akka shall we go?" asked Vanathi who was on the verge of tears.
"I have just one more thing to tell amma, the Prince who will marry this girl will have many hurdles and dangers to pass through…"
"Oh God!" exclaimed both the women.
"But he will surpass all the dangers and hurdles and attain greatness. Amma, one day just take a look at her stomach. If she doesn't have the lines of the banyan leaf I will leave this profession."
"What is so special about banyan leaf?"
"Don't you know who resides in the banyan leaf? The Great Mahavishnu himself! A child will be born to this girl - who will be the very embodiment of Mahavishnu. Unlike her husband her child will not have any danger or hurdle. Wherever he goes he will be victorious. He will conquer many lands, win many battles and he will be known as the greatest king in history…"
As the Jodhidar went on like this, Kundavai in rapt attention heard every word of his with her eyes wide open. Suddenly she heard Vanathi's faint voice.
"Akka! I am feeling faint," moaned Vanathi and fainted.
"Jodhidaray! Hurry, get me some water," said Kundavai and pulled Vanathi onto her lap. And when the Jodhidar got a jar of water she sprinkled a handful on Vanathi's face.
"Don't worry amma, everything will be alright," consoled the Jodhidar.
"No, No, I am not worried. This is nothing new. She has a habit of fainting. After some time she will wake up and ask what happened," said Kundavai.
And then lowering her voice, Kundavai asked, "Jodhidaray, I came to ask one very important thing. Everywhere people are discussing disturbing rumours. A comet is seen in the sky for the past few days. Is there a meaning behind all this? Is there any danger to the kingdom?"
"Amma, this one thing I cannot tell you. There is no horoscope for countries and kingdoms. So we cannot make any kind of prediction about all this. Maybe a soothsayer can predict events with the help of his third eye but not this poor astrologer."
"Jodhidaray! You are very clever. I know that there cannot be a horoscope for kingdoms but if you look at my father's and brother's horoscopes you can surely tell the future of this kingdom can't you?"
"I will do that leisurely on another day amma. In general, times are not good. Everybody in the royal family will have to be a bit careful."
"I am very worried about my father. I don't think his health has improved since he left Pazhaiarai."
"I told you earlier itself amma. There is a big danger to Maharaja's life and to the entire royal family. Only Durga devi will be able to avert it."
"Akka, where are we?" asked Vanathi faintly as she opened her eyes in Kundavai's lap.
"Sweetheart! You are still in earth. Your chariot to heaven hasn't arrived still. Can you get up and walk or do I have to carry you?"
Vanathi sat up immediately and asked, "Did I faint Akka?"
"No you just slept off in my lap. I even sang a lullaby for you. Didn't you hear it?"
"Don't get angry Akka! I didn't do it deliberately."
"Oh no you didn't. If the Jodhidar had told me similar predictions even I would have fainted."
"No, Akka! It is not because of that. I didn't believe his predictions anyway."
"I don't know whether you believed them or not but you scared the Jodhidar nicely. I shouldn't have brought a coward like you along with me."
"I told you earlier that I won't come. It was you who brought me here."
"It is my fault dear girl. Get up. Can you walk or shall I carry you?"
"No, I can walk."
"One second amma, I will get Durga Devi's prasadam for you," said the astrologer and started closing the olai suvadi.
"Jodhidaray! You said so many things about me. But you didn't say anything about Akka," asked Vanathi.
"Amma, I have read Illayapirathi's horoscope before. What else would you like to know?"
"Tell me about the lucky prince who is going to marry her."
"He will be a brave soldier, blessed by Brihaspati in intelligence, graced by Saraswathi in learning. He will also be as skillful as Arjuna and as handsome as Manmadan."
"When will this prince come?"
"He is coming amma. He will appear before her very soon."
Kundavai much amused by all this asked, "How will he come? On horse or chariot or else will he walk it up here or will he jump down here from the roof?"
"Akka, I can hear a horse outside."
"You will always hear all kinds of noise."
"No I am not joking. Listen carefully."
Vanathi was right. They could hear a horse neighing outside the house.
"So what? People will be riding horses in Kudandhai town. What about it?"
"No I think it is coming here."
"You will hear all sorts of strange things. Come let us go."
At the same they heard an argument outside the house.
"Is this the Jodhidar's house?"
"Yes. Who are you?"
"Is the Jodhidar there?"
"You can't go inside."
"Why not?"
"I won't let you."
"I want to see the Jodhidar."
"Come afterwards."
"I can't. I am in a hurry."
"Hey stop don't go inside!"
"Stand back. If you try to stop me I will kill you."
"Sir, Sir, Please don't go inside."
At this instant a young soldier barged into the house while the Jodhidar's pupil was trying to hold him from behind.
I am sure you would have guessed who this young soldier is. Who else could it be but our friend Vandiya Devan?
Everybody looked at Vandiya Devan and he too looked at everybody. Sorry, he looked only at one person in the house. Even that is an understatement. He saw only Kundavai's face but that too not properly. He looked at her beautiful lips, her laughing eyes, her glowing fair complexion and her flushed cheeks in parts and they registered in his mind separately.
All this happened in a split of a second. The next instant he turned towards the Jodhidar's pupil and asked, "Hey, why didn't you tell me that there were women inside the house? If you had done that then I wouldn't have barged in like this." And then he turned and walked out of the house but not before shooting another glance at Kundavai.
"My God! Looks as if a storm came and went!" exclaimed Kundavai.
"It's still not over. Listen to that," said Vanathi.
Vandiya Devan and the Jodhidar's pupil were still arguing outside the house.
"Jodhidaray! Who is he?" asked Kundavai.
"I don't know amma, seems like he has come from some other place."
Kundavai thought about something and burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing Akka?"
"You are asking me why? Just a short while ago we were talking about when and how my groom will come? That's why I am laughing," said Kundavai and laughed. Vanathi joined in the laughter with her.
The Jodhidar gave them both kungumum and the prasadam with a thoughtful look on his face. After taking the kungumum both the ladies took leave of the astrologer and came out of the hut. The Jodhidar too came out along with them.
Outside Vandiya Devan was standing. When they came out, he apologized, "I am sorry. I didn't know there were women inside otherwise I wouldn't have barged in."
Kundavai looked at him mischievously but didn't say a word. She took Vanathi's hand in hers and walked upto the chariot that was waiting for them.
Incensed by her lack of attention towards him Vandiya Devan declared loudly, "The women in Kudandhai don't seem to have any manners. They don't even have the courtesy to answer somebody who is talking to them."
After the women got into the chariot the charioteer steered it towards the road. Vandiya Devan stood watching it until the chariot disappeared.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Sangu Chakram - Literally, a shell and a conch. The symbol of Vishnu
Brihaspati - The teacher of the Gods in the Hindu pantheon
Saraswathi -The Hindu Goddess of learning
Arjuna - In the epic Mahabaratham, one of the Pandavas and a great archer
Manmadan - The Hindu god of love
kungumum - Vermilion
prasadam - Food offered to God which is later distributed among devotees
Chapter 10 - Kudandhai Jodhidar
When you see the Ponni River flowing through the Chola Kingdom you are tempted to describe her thus -
Born in Kudaga Nadu, when Ponni attained age, she wanted to meet her bridegroom, Samudrarajan. In her desire to meet him, she ran wildly through the forests and plains. As she neared him, her desire for him grew and there sprang from her two arms racing to reach out to him. As her desire intensified, she developed more arms, each racing to reach out first to her lover.
Do you want to know how our bride was bedecked to meet her groom? The women of the Chola Kingdom beautified her with fertile green sarees and lovely flowers.
"Hey River Ponni! Is there a young woman in our kingdom who has not been elated by your presence? Could there be anyone in this world who is not enamoured by your beauty?"
Did you know that one of the arms of the Ponni is called Arisalaru? But not many people know that there is a river flowing there at all because of the thick groove of trees that grow on the banks. Some compare Arisalaru to a princess who is too shy to leave the anthapuram. But no one can compare her beauty with anything in this world.
Now let us go and meet this shy beautiful princess who is hiding behind the trees. But what do you think we see there? A beautifully crafted boat in the shape of a swan and who do you think was on it? Heavenly apsaras! And there is nothing in the world with which we can compare their beauty as well.
Among these apsaras there was one woman who stood out. She looked like a queen who was born to rule the three worlds. Beside her was another woman who was playing a veena and singing along with it. They both were exceptionally beautiful women.
After the boat reached the bank, both the women got down. Though they both were very beautiful there was a difference in their beauty. Dignity and intelligence shone in the face of the first woman while goodness was marked in the second. The first had the complexion of a lotus flower while the second had that of a full moon. We could go on with comparisons of their beauty but we are running out of time because both of them are headed somewhere.
Without any further ado let me introduce them to you. The first woman is King Sundara Chola's daughter, Princess Kundavai, the sister of Prince Arulmozhivarman later to be known as King Rajaraja Chola. Her intelligence and goodness inspired so much respect among the people that they called her Ilayapirathi. Later in history we will also know her as a woman who brought up Rajarajan's son, King Rajendra Chola, and inspired him to achieve greatness.
The other woman is Princess Kundavai's companion and close friend belonging to the clan of Kodumbalur. Only one thing can be predicted about her. She was going to be the luckiest woman in the history of Tamil Nadu.
Princess Kundavai told the other women in the boat, "All of you stay here, we will be back in an hour."
All the other women in the boat were not mere companions of the princess. They were all daughters of different petty kings who ruled under Sundara Chola. They were sent to live with Princess Kundavai as her companions. And when Princess Kundavai took only the Kodumbalur Princess along with her, they felt jealous and disappointed.
Both the princesses walked towards the road. A royal chariot waiting for them there.
"Vanathi, get into the chariot," Kundavai told her, and got into the chariot after her. After they sat down, the chariot started moving.
"Akka, where are we going? Will you tell me?" asked Vanathi.
"Why won't I tell you? We are going to Kudandhai Jodhidar's house."
"Why are we going to the Jodhidar's house?"
"Why else would I go there? It is for you, my dear. You have been looking so depressed of late and you have become so thin and emaciated because you are not eating properly. I am going to ask the astrologer when your health will improve."
"Akka, please let's go back. There is nothing wrong with me. Let's not go there to ask about me."
"Fine! We will not ask about you. We will go there and ask about me. Satisfied?"
"What do you want to know from the astrologer, akka?"
"Will I get married? Or will I have to stay single all my life?"
"Akka, what is the use of asking the astrologer this question? You will have to ask yourself. You just have to indicate your consent and princes from all over the world will come forward to marry you."
"You may be right Vanathi, but there is a problem. If I get married to a prince he will want to take me to his country. But I don't want to leave the Chola Kingdom. I have taken a vow that I will never leave my kingdom."
"That is not a big hurdle. You just have to tell the lucky prince who marries you to stay back here with you - that's all."
"I will be just inviting more trouble. You don't realise the problems that can crop up because of that."
"But you will have to get married one day or the other."
"Who says so? Look at Avvayar. Did she get married?"
"Avvayar became an old woman because God granted her wish. But you are not like her."
"Well, if at all I have to get married, I will marry a poor soldier who won't take me away from this Chola Kingdom."
"Akka, then in that case you will never leave this place."
"No, even if you call me to heaven I will not leave this place and come with you."
"Today my heart is at peace again."
"Why?"
"I was thinking if you get married and leave our kingdom then I would have go along with you because I cannot live without you. At the same time, even I don't want to leave this beautiful Chola Kingdom."
"But if you get married you will have to leave."
"I am not getting married, Akka."
"Fine! What happened to all that preaching you gave me just now."
"I am not like you, so it does not apply to me."
"My dear, don't try to fool me. You think I was born yesterday. I know that you don't have any special love for the Chola Kingdom because the real Chola Kingdom that you are in love with has gone to Sri Lanka to fight. You think I don't know your secret?"
"Akka, do you think I am that foolish? He is like the rising sun and I am like the mist which will disappear when the sun's rays fall on it. How can the mist desire the love of the sun?"
"Why not? Haven't you seen the mist covering the sun in the morning?"
Hearing this, Vanathi suddenly became enthusiastic, "So you really think that the mist can attain the sun's affection?" But again her happiness evaporated. "The mist wishes to have the sun but what does the sun do - it burns so fiercely that the mist disappears."
"That is wrong, Vanathi. Knowing the mist's desire the sun absorbs her within itself. The sun is so possessive about the mist that it does not want anybody to look at her in the daylight. And when night comes, it lets the mist out."
"Akka, you are saying all this just to cheer me up."
"So now at last you accept that you are depressed. Just now you were saying that you were not. That's why we are going to see the Kudandhai Jodhidar."
"If I am depressed, how will he know the reason?" sighed Vanathi.
The Kudandhai Jodhidar's house was located at the outskirts of the Kudandhai town and could be approached without entering the town. When the chariot reached the astrologer's house, they found him and his pupil waiting outside to welcome them.
"My lady, welcome, welcome! I am most fortunate indeed that you have graced my poor house with your presence. Please come inside."
"Jodhidaray! Do you expect anybody to come here at this time?"
"No Amma, nowadays not many people come in search of me. People go to an astrologer only when there are problems or troubles in their life. But in the Chola Kingdom, thanks to our King Sundara Chola, there are no problems or troubles affecting our people. Everybody is living happily and prosperously. Then why should they come to astrologers like me?"
"So you mean to say that I have some problem in my life which is why I have come to see you?"
"No Ammani, you have come here to solve my problem. When people don't have problems, the astrologer has nothing to do. He has no clients, and so no money - that's why you have come here. Please come inside Devi," answered the astrologer cleverly.
Kundavai and Vanathi went inside the astrologer's thatched house. The astrologer told his pupil, "You stay here and keep watch. If by any chance somebody comes, don't let them inside."
Both the princesses went inside the astrologer's puja room and sat in the seats that were kept ready for them. The astrologer sat in his seat in front of them.
"Ammani, please tell me the reason for your visit."
"Jodhidaray, please find that out with your astrology itself."
"Ok," said the astrologer and closed his eyes and chanted a mantra. After some time he opened his eyes and said, "You have come here to learn the future of this young girl. That's what Devi Parasakthi tells me."
"Fantastic! Your powers are great indeed. Yes Jodhidaray, that was the purpose of my visit.
A year ago she came to live with me in Pazhairai. Then she was very cheerful and happy. For the past four months I don't know what has happened to her, she is very depressed. She says that her health is fine but I am not happy to see her like this. Her uncle has appointed me her guardian. What shall I say if he asks me what has happened to her…"
"Ammani, this is Kodumbalur Ilaya Velar's daughter. Her name is Vanathi, isn't that so?"
"Yes. How do you know all this?"
"I even have the horoscope of this princess with me in my collection. Please wait," he said. Then he opened a box near him and rummaged in it, and took out a suvadi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Kudaga Nadu - Old name for Coorg
Samudrarajan - The Ocean
Arisalaru - A tributary of River Cauvery
Kodumbalur - A warrior clan in Old Tamil NaduVanathi - Princess Kundavai's close companion and friend, belonging to the Kodumbalur clan
Akka - Elder sister in Tamil
Kudandhai - Present-day Kumbakonam
Jodhidar - Astrologer in Tamil
Avvayar - A great Tamil saint and poet
Devi - A term used for a woman of noble birthAmmani - A term used to refer to a lady Kodumbalur Ilaya Velar - Vanathi's father and a great warrior
Suvadi - A palm leaf manuscript
Born in Kudaga Nadu, when Ponni attained age, she wanted to meet her bridegroom, Samudrarajan. In her desire to meet him, she ran wildly through the forests and plains. As she neared him, her desire for him grew and there sprang from her two arms racing to reach out to him. As her desire intensified, she developed more arms, each racing to reach out first to her lover.
Do you want to know how our bride was bedecked to meet her groom? The women of the Chola Kingdom beautified her with fertile green sarees and lovely flowers.
"Hey River Ponni! Is there a young woman in our kingdom who has not been elated by your presence? Could there be anyone in this world who is not enamoured by your beauty?"
Did you know that one of the arms of the Ponni is called Arisalaru? But not many people know that there is a river flowing there at all because of the thick groove of trees that grow on the banks. Some compare Arisalaru to a princess who is too shy to leave the anthapuram. But no one can compare her beauty with anything in this world.
Now let us go and meet this shy beautiful princess who is hiding behind the trees. But what do you think we see there? A beautifully crafted boat in the shape of a swan and who do you think was on it? Heavenly apsaras! And there is nothing in the world with which we can compare their beauty as well.
Among these apsaras there was one woman who stood out. She looked like a queen who was born to rule the three worlds. Beside her was another woman who was playing a veena and singing along with it. They both were exceptionally beautiful women.
After the boat reached the bank, both the women got down. Though they both were very beautiful there was a difference in their beauty. Dignity and intelligence shone in the face of the first woman while goodness was marked in the second. The first had the complexion of a lotus flower while the second had that of a full moon. We could go on with comparisons of their beauty but we are running out of time because both of them are headed somewhere.
Without any further ado let me introduce them to you. The first woman is King Sundara Chola's daughter, Princess Kundavai, the sister of Prince Arulmozhivarman later to be known as King Rajaraja Chola. Her intelligence and goodness inspired so much respect among the people that they called her Ilayapirathi. Later in history we will also know her as a woman who brought up Rajarajan's son, King Rajendra Chola, and inspired him to achieve greatness.
The other woman is Princess Kundavai's companion and close friend belonging to the clan of Kodumbalur. Only one thing can be predicted about her. She was going to be the luckiest woman in the history of Tamil Nadu.
Princess Kundavai told the other women in the boat, "All of you stay here, we will be back in an hour."
All the other women in the boat were not mere companions of the princess. They were all daughters of different petty kings who ruled under Sundara Chola. They were sent to live with Princess Kundavai as her companions. And when Princess Kundavai took only the Kodumbalur Princess along with her, they felt jealous and disappointed.
Both the princesses walked towards the road. A royal chariot waiting for them there.
"Vanathi, get into the chariot," Kundavai told her, and got into the chariot after her. After they sat down, the chariot started moving.
"Akka, where are we going? Will you tell me?" asked Vanathi.
"Why won't I tell you? We are going to Kudandhai Jodhidar's house."
"Why are we going to the Jodhidar's house?"
"Why else would I go there? It is for you, my dear. You have been looking so depressed of late and you have become so thin and emaciated because you are not eating properly. I am going to ask the astrologer when your health will improve."
"Akka, please let's go back. There is nothing wrong with me. Let's not go there to ask about me."
"Fine! We will not ask about you. We will go there and ask about me. Satisfied?"
"What do you want to know from the astrologer, akka?"
"Will I get married? Or will I have to stay single all my life?"
"Akka, what is the use of asking the astrologer this question? You will have to ask yourself. You just have to indicate your consent and princes from all over the world will come forward to marry you."
"You may be right Vanathi, but there is a problem. If I get married to a prince he will want to take me to his country. But I don't want to leave the Chola Kingdom. I have taken a vow that I will never leave my kingdom."
"That is not a big hurdle. You just have to tell the lucky prince who marries you to stay back here with you - that's all."
"I will be just inviting more trouble. You don't realise the problems that can crop up because of that."
"But you will have to get married one day or the other."
"Who says so? Look at Avvayar. Did she get married?"
"Avvayar became an old woman because God granted her wish. But you are not like her."
"Well, if at all I have to get married, I will marry a poor soldier who won't take me away from this Chola Kingdom."
"Akka, then in that case you will never leave this place."
"No, even if you call me to heaven I will not leave this place and come with you."
"Today my heart is at peace again."
"Why?"
"I was thinking if you get married and leave our kingdom then I would have go along with you because I cannot live without you. At the same time, even I don't want to leave this beautiful Chola Kingdom."
"But if you get married you will have to leave."
"I am not getting married, Akka."
"Fine! What happened to all that preaching you gave me just now."
"I am not like you, so it does not apply to me."
"My dear, don't try to fool me. You think I was born yesterday. I know that you don't have any special love for the Chola Kingdom because the real Chola Kingdom that you are in love with has gone to Sri Lanka to fight. You think I don't know your secret?"
"Akka, do you think I am that foolish? He is like the rising sun and I am like the mist which will disappear when the sun's rays fall on it. How can the mist desire the love of the sun?"
"Why not? Haven't you seen the mist covering the sun in the morning?"
Hearing this, Vanathi suddenly became enthusiastic, "So you really think that the mist can attain the sun's affection?" But again her happiness evaporated. "The mist wishes to have the sun but what does the sun do - it burns so fiercely that the mist disappears."
"That is wrong, Vanathi. Knowing the mist's desire the sun absorbs her within itself. The sun is so possessive about the mist that it does not want anybody to look at her in the daylight. And when night comes, it lets the mist out."
"Akka, you are saying all this just to cheer me up."
"So now at last you accept that you are depressed. Just now you were saying that you were not. That's why we are going to see the Kudandhai Jodhidar."
"If I am depressed, how will he know the reason?" sighed Vanathi.
The Kudandhai Jodhidar's house was located at the outskirts of the Kudandhai town and could be approached without entering the town. When the chariot reached the astrologer's house, they found him and his pupil waiting outside to welcome them.
"My lady, welcome, welcome! I am most fortunate indeed that you have graced my poor house with your presence. Please come inside."
"Jodhidaray! Do you expect anybody to come here at this time?"
"No Amma, nowadays not many people come in search of me. People go to an astrologer only when there are problems or troubles in their life. But in the Chola Kingdom, thanks to our King Sundara Chola, there are no problems or troubles affecting our people. Everybody is living happily and prosperously. Then why should they come to astrologers like me?"
"So you mean to say that I have some problem in my life which is why I have come to see you?"
"No Ammani, you have come here to solve my problem. When people don't have problems, the astrologer has nothing to do. He has no clients, and so no money - that's why you have come here. Please come inside Devi," answered the astrologer cleverly.
Kundavai and Vanathi went inside the astrologer's thatched house. The astrologer told his pupil, "You stay here and keep watch. If by any chance somebody comes, don't let them inside."
Both the princesses went inside the astrologer's puja room and sat in the seats that were kept ready for them. The astrologer sat in his seat in front of them.
"Ammani, please tell me the reason for your visit."
"Jodhidaray, please find that out with your astrology itself."
"Ok," said the astrologer and closed his eyes and chanted a mantra. After some time he opened his eyes and said, "You have come here to learn the future of this young girl. That's what Devi Parasakthi tells me."
"Fantastic! Your powers are great indeed. Yes Jodhidaray, that was the purpose of my visit.
A year ago she came to live with me in Pazhairai. Then she was very cheerful and happy. For the past four months I don't know what has happened to her, she is very depressed. She says that her health is fine but I am not happy to see her like this. Her uncle has appointed me her guardian. What shall I say if he asks me what has happened to her…"
"Ammani, this is Kodumbalur Ilaya Velar's daughter. Her name is Vanathi, isn't that so?"
"Yes. How do you know all this?"
"I even have the horoscope of this princess with me in my collection. Please wait," he said. Then he opened a box near him and rummaged in it, and took out a suvadi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Kudaga Nadu - Old name for Coorg
Samudrarajan - The Ocean
Arisalaru - A tributary of River Cauvery
Kodumbalur - A warrior clan in Old Tamil NaduVanathi - Princess Kundavai's close companion and friend, belonging to the Kodumbalur clan
Akka - Elder sister in Tamil
Kudandhai - Present-day Kumbakonam
Jodhidar - Astrologer in Tamil
Avvayar - A great Tamil saint and poet
Devi - A term used for a woman of noble birthAmmani - A term used to refer to a lady Kodumbalur Ilaya Velar - Vanathi's father and a great warrior
Suvadi - A palm leaf manuscript
Chapter 9 - From Kadambur to Kollidai
Vandiya Devan had lived most of his life in dry regions where there was no river or large lake, which is why he never learned how to swim. Once while he was patrolling the border of the Chola Kingdom (near Rashtrakuta Kingdom) he had gone for a bath in the river and got caught in a current in the river. The current swirled him round and round and started dragging him down. He started losing consciousness; the current had sucked out all his energy. Just when he thought that he would die, he miraculously escaped the current and a wave dumped him on the shore.
That night when he came back to his bed he felt the same swirling motion in his head. But this time he was not stuck in a river's current, but in a very dangerous political game.
"How am I going to escape from this now?" he thought. "The Chola Kingdom has only been recently relieved of warring enemies thanks to Prince Aditya Karikalan. The Crown Prince was a great warrior and an intelligent statesman. His leadership qualities were also admirable because that's what had made him lead a small army against King Krishna and crush the Rashtrakutas.
"Just when the Chola Kingdom became safe from these enemies, new plots against the Kingdom are being made by some of the most influential and powerful noblemen of the Kingdom!
"Almost all the powerful noblemen, petty kings are involved in this plot against the Kingdom. What would be the result of this dangerous scheme? Is this the first time they are having this kind of meeting? It seems that Pazhuvetar has been taking Prince Madhuranthakan in his veiled palanquin all around the Chola Kingdom. How very convenient indeed that he got married to a young wife at this age? It is aiding him a lot in plotting against the King!" thought Vandiya Devan.
So far Vandiya Devan had never had any second thoughts about Prince Aditya Karikalar's rights to the throne. He had never even thought that there could be another claimant to it. The only thing that he had heard about Prince Madhuranthakan was that he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, just like his father. But he had never imagined that Madhuranthakan too had any claims over the throne.
"But who has more rights over the throne? Prince Aditya Karikalan or Prince Madhuranthakan? It seems that they both have equal rights and claims over the throne. But what is my duty now? Great! I had so many plans for my future thinking that Prince Aditya would ascend the throne and may be in due course of time by serving him well I could retrieve my old Kingdom from him. Now someone has challenged Prince Aditya's authority itself. When will he overcome these hurdles? When will he become the King? And when will I get my Kingdom back?"
With these thoughts running in his mind it took him a long time to sleep.
The next morning he did not get up until almost mid-morning. It was only when Kandanmaran shook him that he woke up with a start.
"Did you sleep well yesterday?" asked his friend like a good host should. "Yesterday after the other guest went to bed I came here. You were sound asleep," he added.
It took Vandiya Devan some time to suppress all the thoughts that were running in his mind about the previous night. He was afraid that he would blabber something about the midnight conference that he was not supposed to know about. So he said carefully, "I was dead tired yesterday. I must have slept like a log. Oh God! It is so late. I must leave immediately. Kandanmara, please ask your servants to get my horse ready for my journey."
"What nonsense! How can you go now? What's the hurry anyway? You will have to stay here for at least 10 days," said Kandanmaran.
"No, my dear friend, I can't stay. I have to go to Thanjavur urgently. My mama is not well. He might die any minute. I have to go to see him," lied Vandiya Devan.
"Oh, is that so? In that case you will have to stay here for longer when you return from Thanjavur."
"Sure, but now you have to let me go."
"Wait, don't rush like this. Have your breakfast and then we can leave. I will come along with you to Kollidam."
"How is that possible? So many important guests have come to your house - how can you leave them and come with me?" objected Vandiya Devan.
"No guest is as important to me as you," Kandanmaran said. After a pause he said, "My father and the servants will take care of the other guests. I couldn't even talk to you properly yesterday, so I am coming with you till Kollidam."
"As you wish my friend," accepted Vandiya Devan.
After an hour or so, both friends set out towards Kollidam in their respective horses. Since the horses were trotting slowly, they had time to look around and talk about old memories of the times they had fought together at the border.
After some time Vandiya Deva said, "Kandanmara, even if I stayed for only one night at your place, it was very useful for me. But I just have one disappointment. You spoke so much about your sister's beauty while we were together, but I couldn't get a decent glimpse of her yesterday. She was so shy that she was hiding behind your mother all the time. I agree that girls are naturally shy by nature but your sister seems to be extremely shy."
Kandanmaran looked as if he wanted to say something but he kept quiet.
Vandiya Devan continued, "Anyway I will be staying in your house for some time on my return journey - I will try to talk to her then. May be by then she would have overcome her shyness. What did you say her name was?"
"Manimeghalai."
"Wow! What a beautiful name! I am sure she must be as beautiful…"
Kandanmaran couldn't take it any more. He interrupted, "My friend! Please, forget about my sister. Just forget everything I said about her. Don't even talk about her to me."
"What is this, Kandanmara? Just yesterday you hinted that I could become the son-in-law of your house!" exclaimed Vandiya Devan.
"Yes, that was what I thought. But now things have changed. My parents have fixed up another bridegroom for my sister and she has accepted too."
Vandiya Devan thought, "Long Live Manimeghalai." It was not very difficult for him to guess who the bridegroom would be. It must be the great prince who travels in a veiled palanquin - Prince Madhuranthakan.
"Oh! So you have fixed your sister's marriage with one of the noblemen who came yesterday. Let me tell you frankly, Kandanmara, I am neither disappointed nor frustrated. I rather expected something like this to happen."
"You expected something like this to happen!" exclaimed Kandanmaran
"Who would like to have a poor orphan like me as a son-in-law? I have no possessions, no kingdom, no land and no property. I am just a nobody. What if my ancestors were great once upon a time? It is of no value in today's world."
"My friend, enough! Please don't insult my family anymore. I beg you. Our change of plans has got nothing to do with what you are. We have a very important reason for this. When you know come to know about it, you will accept it yourself. But right now I can't talk about it. So please forgive me."
"Kandanmara! What is this? Why are you talking so mysteriously?"
"You will have to forgive me for that, my friend. It is something that I can't share even with you. But whatever happens it will not affect our friendship. I assure you that. Please have faith in me. I will not forsake you. I promise you."
"Thanks a lot for your promise. But I don't see any reason for this promise because I am not dependent on you for anything. I depend only on my sword."
"Don't worry, we will soon get an opportunity to use our swords. At that time we will fight together like brothers, shoulder to shoulder."
"What are you talking about? Do you expect a war soon or are you planning to go to ellangai (Sri Lanka) to join the war?"
"ellangai (Sri Lanka)? If you hear about the war there you will be surprised. We will have to send ships full of food for the soldiers who are fighting there. It seems that they won't take any food from the people there. It is so shameful! But I am not talking about that war. I will tell you when the time comes. But until then don't ask me anything."
"Fine, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. Anyway we have reached Kollidam."
Cauvery River
At a distance they saw the rushing waters of Kollidam, a tributary of the Cauvery. There was a boat and a boatman at the bank. He already had one passenger who looked like a Saivite.
When they neared the bank, the boatman asked, "Lord, are you coming?"
"Yes, my friend is coming. Wait awhile," Kandanmaran said.
Both the friends got down from their horses.
"I was quite thoughtless to come with the horse. What do I do with it? Can we get him on the boat too?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"No, you can't take a horse across this river in a boat. Don't worry, that's why I had asked two of my servants to follow us on foot. One will ride your horse back to Kadambur while the other will come with you across the river and buy you another horse."
"How considerate of you! You really are a true friend."
"You must have thought our Kollidam is like the dry rivers of Pallaram. You cannot take a horse on the boat across our river."
"That's right. I am sorry about thinking that way about your Chola River. Really, so much water everywhere, it's like a sea."
Both friends embraced each other. Vandiya Devan and one of Kandanmaran's servants got into the boat. As the boatman started rowing, they heard a shout from a distance.
"Stop! Stop the boat. Wait for me."
The man who was shouting came running towards the boat. At one glance Vandiya Devan knew who it was. It was Azhvarkadiyan Nambi!
The Saivite in the boat immediately shouted, "Row the boat. I will not come with that scoundrel in this boat. Drop us across and then come for him."
But Vandiya Devan interrupted and said, "Please wait. Let him come. There is lot of room in the boat."
He thought it would be interesting to ask the Nambi about the previous night's incidents.
That night when he came back to his bed he felt the same swirling motion in his head. But this time he was not stuck in a river's current, but in a very dangerous political game.
"How am I going to escape from this now?" he thought. "The Chola Kingdom has only been recently relieved of warring enemies thanks to Prince Aditya Karikalan. The Crown Prince was a great warrior and an intelligent statesman. His leadership qualities were also admirable because that's what had made him lead a small army against King Krishna and crush the Rashtrakutas.
"Just when the Chola Kingdom became safe from these enemies, new plots against the Kingdom are being made by some of the most influential and powerful noblemen of the Kingdom!
"Almost all the powerful noblemen, petty kings are involved in this plot against the Kingdom. What would be the result of this dangerous scheme? Is this the first time they are having this kind of meeting? It seems that Pazhuvetar has been taking Prince Madhuranthakan in his veiled palanquin all around the Chola Kingdom. How very convenient indeed that he got married to a young wife at this age? It is aiding him a lot in plotting against the King!" thought Vandiya Devan.
So far Vandiya Devan had never had any second thoughts about Prince Aditya Karikalar's rights to the throne. He had never even thought that there could be another claimant to it. The only thing that he had heard about Prince Madhuranthakan was that he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, just like his father. But he had never imagined that Madhuranthakan too had any claims over the throne.
"But who has more rights over the throne? Prince Aditya Karikalan or Prince Madhuranthakan? It seems that they both have equal rights and claims over the throne. But what is my duty now? Great! I had so many plans for my future thinking that Prince Aditya would ascend the throne and may be in due course of time by serving him well I could retrieve my old Kingdom from him. Now someone has challenged Prince Aditya's authority itself. When will he overcome these hurdles? When will he become the King? And when will I get my Kingdom back?"
With these thoughts running in his mind it took him a long time to sleep.
The next morning he did not get up until almost mid-morning. It was only when Kandanmaran shook him that he woke up with a start.
"Did you sleep well yesterday?" asked his friend like a good host should. "Yesterday after the other guest went to bed I came here. You were sound asleep," he added.
It took Vandiya Devan some time to suppress all the thoughts that were running in his mind about the previous night. He was afraid that he would blabber something about the midnight conference that he was not supposed to know about. So he said carefully, "I was dead tired yesterday. I must have slept like a log. Oh God! It is so late. I must leave immediately. Kandanmara, please ask your servants to get my horse ready for my journey."
"What nonsense! How can you go now? What's the hurry anyway? You will have to stay here for at least 10 days," said Kandanmaran.
"No, my dear friend, I can't stay. I have to go to Thanjavur urgently. My mama is not well. He might die any minute. I have to go to see him," lied Vandiya Devan.
"Oh, is that so? In that case you will have to stay here for longer when you return from Thanjavur."
"Sure, but now you have to let me go."
"Wait, don't rush like this. Have your breakfast and then we can leave. I will come along with you to Kollidam."
"How is that possible? So many important guests have come to your house - how can you leave them and come with me?" objected Vandiya Devan.
"No guest is as important to me as you," Kandanmaran said. After a pause he said, "My father and the servants will take care of the other guests. I couldn't even talk to you properly yesterday, so I am coming with you till Kollidam."
"As you wish my friend," accepted Vandiya Devan.
After an hour or so, both friends set out towards Kollidam in their respective horses. Since the horses were trotting slowly, they had time to look around and talk about old memories of the times they had fought together at the border.
After some time Vandiya Deva said, "Kandanmara, even if I stayed for only one night at your place, it was very useful for me. But I just have one disappointment. You spoke so much about your sister's beauty while we were together, but I couldn't get a decent glimpse of her yesterday. She was so shy that she was hiding behind your mother all the time. I agree that girls are naturally shy by nature but your sister seems to be extremely shy."
Kandanmaran looked as if he wanted to say something but he kept quiet.
Vandiya Devan continued, "Anyway I will be staying in your house for some time on my return journey - I will try to talk to her then. May be by then she would have overcome her shyness. What did you say her name was?"
"Manimeghalai."
"Wow! What a beautiful name! I am sure she must be as beautiful…"
Kandanmaran couldn't take it any more. He interrupted, "My friend! Please, forget about my sister. Just forget everything I said about her. Don't even talk about her to me."
"What is this, Kandanmara? Just yesterday you hinted that I could become the son-in-law of your house!" exclaimed Vandiya Devan.
"Yes, that was what I thought. But now things have changed. My parents have fixed up another bridegroom for my sister and she has accepted too."
Vandiya Devan thought, "Long Live Manimeghalai." It was not very difficult for him to guess who the bridegroom would be. It must be the great prince who travels in a veiled palanquin - Prince Madhuranthakan.
"Oh! So you have fixed your sister's marriage with one of the noblemen who came yesterday. Let me tell you frankly, Kandanmara, I am neither disappointed nor frustrated. I rather expected something like this to happen."
"You expected something like this to happen!" exclaimed Kandanmaran
"Who would like to have a poor orphan like me as a son-in-law? I have no possessions, no kingdom, no land and no property. I am just a nobody. What if my ancestors were great once upon a time? It is of no value in today's world."
"My friend, enough! Please don't insult my family anymore. I beg you. Our change of plans has got nothing to do with what you are. We have a very important reason for this. When you know come to know about it, you will accept it yourself. But right now I can't talk about it. So please forgive me."
"Kandanmara! What is this? Why are you talking so mysteriously?"
"You will have to forgive me for that, my friend. It is something that I can't share even with you. But whatever happens it will not affect our friendship. I assure you that. Please have faith in me. I will not forsake you. I promise you."
"Thanks a lot for your promise. But I don't see any reason for this promise because I am not dependent on you for anything. I depend only on my sword."
"Don't worry, we will soon get an opportunity to use our swords. At that time we will fight together like brothers, shoulder to shoulder."
"What are you talking about? Do you expect a war soon or are you planning to go to ellangai (Sri Lanka) to join the war?"
"ellangai (Sri Lanka)? If you hear about the war there you will be surprised. We will have to send ships full of food for the soldiers who are fighting there. It seems that they won't take any food from the people there. It is so shameful! But I am not talking about that war. I will tell you when the time comes. But until then don't ask me anything."
"Fine, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. Anyway we have reached Kollidam."
Cauvery River
At a distance they saw the rushing waters of Kollidam, a tributary of the Cauvery. There was a boat and a boatman at the bank. He already had one passenger who looked like a Saivite.
When they neared the bank, the boatman asked, "Lord, are you coming?"
"Yes, my friend is coming. Wait awhile," Kandanmaran said.
Both the friends got down from their horses.
"I was quite thoughtless to come with the horse. What do I do with it? Can we get him on the boat too?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"No, you can't take a horse across this river in a boat. Don't worry, that's why I had asked two of my servants to follow us on foot. One will ride your horse back to Kadambur while the other will come with you across the river and buy you another horse."
"How considerate of you! You really are a true friend."
"You must have thought our Kollidam is like the dry rivers of Pallaram. You cannot take a horse on the boat across our river."
"That's right. I am sorry about thinking that way about your Chola River. Really, so much water everywhere, it's like a sea."
Both friends embraced each other. Vandiya Devan and one of Kandanmaran's servants got into the boat. As the boatman started rowing, they heard a shout from a distance.
"Stop! Stop the boat. Wait for me."
The man who was shouting came running towards the boat. At one glance Vandiya Devan knew who it was. It was Azhvarkadiyan Nambi!
The Saivite in the boat immediately shouted, "Row the boat. I will not come with that scoundrel in this boat. Drop us across and then come for him."
But Vandiya Devan interrupted and said, "Please wait. Let him come. There is lot of room in the boat."
He thought it would be interesting to ask the Nambi about the previous night's incidents.
Chapter 8 - Who is in the Palanquin?
The group fell silent for some time. Each one was murmuring among themselves, which Vandiya Devan couldn't hear.
After some time Sambuvereyar spoke up, "We cannot keep on discussing among ourselves the whole night. We have to find a solution to this problem?"
"First I have a doubt. And like me many others here in this group have the same doubt. We would like to clear this up with the Pazhuvur lord if doesn't get angry," said one of them.
"If I am not mistaken this is Vanangamudiyar right? Why don't come to the center here?" said Pazhuvetar.
Vanangamudiyar got up and came to the center where there was more light.
"I show all my anger in the battlefield not when I am with my friends. So feel free to ask me any doubt," said Pazhuvetar.
"In that case I will ask. You said that Sundara Chola asks the advice of women alone but many people say the same about you as well. Though I didn't believe it I would like to clear it up with you."
"Can you be more specific?"
"We all know that the Pazhuvur Lord got married two years ago…"
"Vanagamudiyaray! I forbid you bring this subject up. How can you embarrass our noble guest in this manner with unwanted questions like..." objected Sambuvereyar.
"Sambuvereyaray! Please be patient. Let Vanagamudiyar finish what he started. Yes, I agree after the age of 55 I got married to a woman. But I am not ashamed of it. I have never said that I am like Lord Rama to be content with one wife. I fell in love with her and she fell in love with me and we got married according to the ancient Hindu Shastra. Is this wrong?"
"No I never said that it was wrong. I don't think anybody here has only one wife. But…"
"But what? Don't hesitate please ask whatever doubt you have?"
"But people say that you listen to whatever your young wife says and follow her advice while taking important decisions related to the Kingdom. They also say that you take her along with you whereever you go."
At this point somebody laughed in the crowd. Because of the dim light and the dark shadows that the trees cast around they didn't know who had laughed in the group.
Sambuvereyar became furious and got up, "Who dared to laugh? Come forward and give an explanation."
"Sambuvereyaray! Relax, I only laughed," said Pazhuvetar. And then he said,
"Vanagamudiyaray! What is wrong is taking my wife along with me where ever I travel? I have always taken her along with me. But the rumour that I listen to her advice to conduct royal affairs is wrong. I have never done that…"
"Okay. In that case I would like to clear up one more doubt that I have. What is this Palanquin doing here? It should be in the anthapuram. Is somebody sitting inside it because I heard clanking of bangles?"
Everybody fell silent. This question was obviously running in everybody's mind.
"Right question! I am entitled to give a reply to this. But can I give you an answer at the end of this meeting? Do you all have that much faith in me?" said Pazhuvetar.
"Of course we do," said everybody simultaneously.
"Thank you my friends. So let us finish discussing what we started. Let Sundara Chola live for a long time but in case he dies like the astrologers and the physicians predict we will have to decide who should ascend the throne?"
"We would like to hear your opinion about this, my Lord. We will abide by your decision," said Sambuvereyar.
"That is not right. Each one of us will have to think and decide upon this. I would like to remind you about some old incidents that happened. We all know that Sundara Chola's uncle, the great King Kandaradithan, ascended the throne after King Paranthakan I. When he died 24 years ago his son Madhuranthakan was a one-year-old baby. Which is why we all agreed to crown Sundara Chola, Kandaradithar's nephew as the next king. And Sundara Chola has been a good King to all of us until of course two years ago when he fell ill. He has been loved by the people for bringing in prosperity and peace in the Chola Kingdom. But now that he is ill who should ascend the throne next? Who has more rights, Sundara Chola's son or Kandaradithar's son? Think and tell me, Should it be Kandaradithar's son Madhuranthakan who has attained the right age and is acclaimed as a great devotee of Lord Shiva just like his father or should it be Aditya Karikalan who is Sundara Chola's son. Think and tell me."
"Madhuranthakan should ascend the throne. He is the rightful heir," said Sambuvereyar.
After he said that many others followed and agreed to what he said.
"If you all feel that Madhuranthakan is the rightful heir then we all must work towards establishing his royal rights. We should be ready to pledge our life for him. Are we ready to do that?" asked Pazhuvetar.
The crowd fell silent again. After some time, Sambuvereyar spoke, "We are ready to pledge our lives for Madhuranthakan but we want to be clear about one thing before we do that. What does Prince Madhuranthakan want? Does he wish to ascend the throne after Sundara Chola? Is he ready to take the responsibility of this great kingdom? All that we have heard about him is that he has renounced this worldly life and is forever involved in his devotion towards Lord Shiva. He himself has publicly declared that he has no wish to be the King. And we also know that his respected mother Periyapirati Sembiyanmadevi does not wish her son to ascend the throne, which is why she has brought him up to be an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva."
"Correct question. I am obliged to clear this doubt. I should have spoken about this earlier but I forgot. I am sorry. It is true that Sembiyanmadevi does not wish her son to ascend the throne, which is why she had deliberately kept him away from the affairs of the kingdom and involved him in religious work. But not many people know the reason as to why she did that. She feared that if he ascended the throne or even wished to ascend the throne his life would be in danger. Wouldn't a mother wish that her only son be alive rather than risk dying in trying to be the king? Prince Madhuranthakan indulged her in this wish for the past 25 years and involved himself completely in religious work. But off late he has been feeling this Chola Kingdom belongs to him and that he has to take up the responsibilities that come along with it. If he comes to know to know that you are all ready to support him he is willing to come out in open and declare his right to the throne," said Pazhuvetar.
"Is that true? Is there any proof for this?" asked one of the noblemen.
"I will provide you with a proof that will satisfy all of you. At the same time I will also clear Vanangamudiyar's earlier doubt," said Pazhuvetar and walked towards the veiled palanquin.
He stood near the palanquin and said, "My dear Prince, it is time for you to come out and meet your loyal allies who are ready to fight until death for your royal rights over the Chola throne."
Vandiya Devan cautiously looked down from the terrace. He saw the same fair hand parting the veils but what he had assumed to be lady's bangles was actually a long bracelet that royal princes wear. The next instant 'a beautiful prince' had come out of the palanquin.
"This is King Kandaradithan's son Madhuranthakan. Since he came in a palanquin I had assumed that he was woman. Even Azhvarkadiyan made the same mistake," thought Vandiya Devan. He looked up to see whether Azhvarkadiyan was still hanging from the wall but couldn't see anything because of the dark shadows.
By then, everybody had started cheering, "Long live Prince Madhuranthakan!" "Long Live Lord Pazhuvetar!" below. Vandiya Devan felt that it might be dangerous to be there so he made his way back to his bed.
After some time Sambuvereyar spoke up, "We cannot keep on discussing among ourselves the whole night. We have to find a solution to this problem?"
"First I have a doubt. And like me many others here in this group have the same doubt. We would like to clear this up with the Pazhuvur lord if doesn't get angry," said one of them.
"If I am not mistaken this is Vanangamudiyar right? Why don't come to the center here?" said Pazhuvetar.
Vanangamudiyar got up and came to the center where there was more light.
"I show all my anger in the battlefield not when I am with my friends. So feel free to ask me any doubt," said Pazhuvetar.
"In that case I will ask. You said that Sundara Chola asks the advice of women alone but many people say the same about you as well. Though I didn't believe it I would like to clear it up with you."
"Can you be more specific?"
"We all know that the Pazhuvur Lord got married two years ago…"
"Vanagamudiyaray! I forbid you bring this subject up. How can you embarrass our noble guest in this manner with unwanted questions like..." objected Sambuvereyar.
"Sambuvereyaray! Please be patient. Let Vanagamudiyar finish what he started. Yes, I agree after the age of 55 I got married to a woman. But I am not ashamed of it. I have never said that I am like Lord Rama to be content with one wife. I fell in love with her and she fell in love with me and we got married according to the ancient Hindu Shastra. Is this wrong?"
"No I never said that it was wrong. I don't think anybody here has only one wife. But…"
"But what? Don't hesitate please ask whatever doubt you have?"
"But people say that you listen to whatever your young wife says and follow her advice while taking important decisions related to the Kingdom. They also say that you take her along with you whereever you go."
At this point somebody laughed in the crowd. Because of the dim light and the dark shadows that the trees cast around they didn't know who had laughed in the group.
Sambuvereyar became furious and got up, "Who dared to laugh? Come forward and give an explanation."
"Sambuvereyaray! Relax, I only laughed," said Pazhuvetar. And then he said,
"Vanagamudiyaray! What is wrong is taking my wife along with me where ever I travel? I have always taken her along with me. But the rumour that I listen to her advice to conduct royal affairs is wrong. I have never done that…"
"Okay. In that case I would like to clear up one more doubt that I have. What is this Palanquin doing here? It should be in the anthapuram. Is somebody sitting inside it because I heard clanking of bangles?"
Everybody fell silent. This question was obviously running in everybody's mind.
"Right question! I am entitled to give a reply to this. But can I give you an answer at the end of this meeting? Do you all have that much faith in me?" said Pazhuvetar.
"Of course we do," said everybody simultaneously.
"Thank you my friends. So let us finish discussing what we started. Let Sundara Chola live for a long time but in case he dies like the astrologers and the physicians predict we will have to decide who should ascend the throne?"
"We would like to hear your opinion about this, my Lord. We will abide by your decision," said Sambuvereyar.
"That is not right. Each one of us will have to think and decide upon this. I would like to remind you about some old incidents that happened. We all know that Sundara Chola's uncle, the great King Kandaradithan, ascended the throne after King Paranthakan I. When he died 24 years ago his son Madhuranthakan was a one-year-old baby. Which is why we all agreed to crown Sundara Chola, Kandaradithar's nephew as the next king. And Sundara Chola has been a good King to all of us until of course two years ago when he fell ill. He has been loved by the people for bringing in prosperity and peace in the Chola Kingdom. But now that he is ill who should ascend the throne next? Who has more rights, Sundara Chola's son or Kandaradithar's son? Think and tell me, Should it be Kandaradithar's son Madhuranthakan who has attained the right age and is acclaimed as a great devotee of Lord Shiva just like his father or should it be Aditya Karikalan who is Sundara Chola's son. Think and tell me."
"Madhuranthakan should ascend the throne. He is the rightful heir," said Sambuvereyar.
After he said that many others followed and agreed to what he said.
"If you all feel that Madhuranthakan is the rightful heir then we all must work towards establishing his royal rights. We should be ready to pledge our life for him. Are we ready to do that?" asked Pazhuvetar.
The crowd fell silent again. After some time, Sambuvereyar spoke, "We are ready to pledge our lives for Madhuranthakan but we want to be clear about one thing before we do that. What does Prince Madhuranthakan want? Does he wish to ascend the throne after Sundara Chola? Is he ready to take the responsibility of this great kingdom? All that we have heard about him is that he has renounced this worldly life and is forever involved in his devotion towards Lord Shiva. He himself has publicly declared that he has no wish to be the King. And we also know that his respected mother Periyapirati Sembiyanmadevi does not wish her son to ascend the throne, which is why she has brought him up to be an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva."
"Correct question. I am obliged to clear this doubt. I should have spoken about this earlier but I forgot. I am sorry. It is true that Sembiyanmadevi does not wish her son to ascend the throne, which is why she had deliberately kept him away from the affairs of the kingdom and involved him in religious work. But not many people know the reason as to why she did that. She feared that if he ascended the throne or even wished to ascend the throne his life would be in danger. Wouldn't a mother wish that her only son be alive rather than risk dying in trying to be the king? Prince Madhuranthakan indulged her in this wish for the past 25 years and involved himself completely in religious work. But off late he has been feeling this Chola Kingdom belongs to him and that he has to take up the responsibilities that come along with it. If he comes to know to know that you are all ready to support him he is willing to come out in open and declare his right to the throne," said Pazhuvetar.
"Is that true? Is there any proof for this?" asked one of the noblemen.
"I will provide you with a proof that will satisfy all of you. At the same time I will also clear Vanangamudiyar's earlier doubt," said Pazhuvetar and walked towards the veiled palanquin.
He stood near the palanquin and said, "My dear Prince, it is time for you to come out and meet your loyal allies who are ready to fight until death for your royal rights over the Chola throne."
Vandiya Devan cautiously looked down from the terrace. He saw the same fair hand parting the veils but what he had assumed to be lady's bangles was actually a long bracelet that royal princes wear. The next instant 'a beautiful prince' had come out of the palanquin.
"This is King Kandaradithan's son Madhuranthakan. Since he came in a palanquin I had assumed that he was woman. Even Azhvarkadiyan made the same mistake," thought Vandiya Devan. He looked up to see whether Azhvarkadiyan was still hanging from the wall but couldn't see anything because of the dark shadows.
By then, everybody had started cheering, "Long live Prince Madhuranthakan!" "Long Live Lord Pazhuvetar!" below. Vandiya Devan felt that it might be dangerous to be there so he made his way back to his bed.
Chapter 7 - Laughter and Anger
As soon as Vandiya Devan heard Pazhuvetar talk about the royal throne he decided to hear out everything that was happening in the meeting below.
"Who were they to discuss or determine anything about the royal throne? I must definitely learn what is happening here? Better to sit here it self. Azhvarkadiyan can go to hell. This is more important.
"By a lucky chance I have got an opportunity to know what's happening here. Why miss it?" he thought.
By this time Pazhuvetar had started speaking at the conference below.
"I have brought a very important news for all of you. That's why I asked noble Sambuvereyar to invite us all here. Maharaja Sundara Chola's health has been steadily deteriorating. I secretly asked our royal physician and he says that there is absolutely no chance of his health improving again. His days are numbered. That's why we will have to think about the future of the royal throne."
"What do the astrologers say?" asked one of the noble men.
"Why ask the astrologers? Haven't you seen the comet that has been appearing for the past few weeks? Whenever a comet appears on the sky there will be death in the royal family," said another.
"I have asked the astrologers as well and they say that the king might live for some more time. Anyway we will have to decide who should ascend the throne next," said Pazhuvetar.
"What is the use of discussing that now? Aditya Karikalan has been made the Crown Prince two years ago," said one of the noblemen.
"True. But before doing that did Sundara Chola consult any of us? We all have stood by the Chola Kingdom with loyalty and have sacrificed our sons and grandsons in the battlefield. Even now warriors from each of our clans have gone to Sri Lanka to fight for the Chola Kingdom. Don't you think we deserve the right to be consulted before Sundara Chola decides who will ascend the throne? Even King Dasaratha consulted his council of ministers before deciding to crown Rama. But our Sundara Chola didn't think it necessary to consult anyone…"
At this someone interrupted and said, "He didn't consult any of us here. But it wouldn't be right to say that he didn't consult anybody at all. He must have consulted Periyapirati Sembiyanmadevi and Illayapirati Kundavai Devi. Can Pazhuvetar refute this?"
Hearing this some people laughed.
"Great! You are all laughing! I don't know how you are able to though. This is so shameful for me that I would prefer to die. When Devaralan asked for sacrifice why didn't you sacrifice me? My clan is almost a thousand years old. I would be the perfect sacrifice," growled Pazhuvetar.
Hearing this everybody fell silent in the group.
"My lord, you must forgive our mistake. It was just a harmless joke. You are the leader of this group. You cannot desert us now. We are ready to act according to your wishes," said Sambuvereyar.
"I am sorry I lost my patience. Let me tell you one thing. About a hundred years ago King Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur and crushed the Mutharaiyar. Since then the Chola Kingdom has been steadily growing powerful. We have expanded our Kingdom upto Krishna River but the territory beyond that has not been conquered nor has Sri Lanka come within our power. Can anyone tell me the reason why they are holding out to us?" asked Pazhuvetar.
"We all know the reason. The first reason is Northern commander Aditya Karikalan and the second is our Southern Commander Arulmozhivarman," said Mazhavereyar.
"I agree with Mazhavereyar. For the past 100 years only those warriors who have had years of experience in warfare became commanders but now the Crown prince Aditya Karikalan is the Northern commander. But what do you think he is doing? He is not preparing to conquer the lands beyond Krishna river instead he is sitting in Kanchi building a Pon Maligai. Have you ever heard of a Prince building a pon maaligai for himself? Even the great King Paranthaka Chola thought it fit to build a golden roof for Lord Shiva's temple. Even he didn't build a pon maaligai for himself. In Kanchi, Pallava Chakravarthis have built many magnificent stone palaces but they are all not enough for our Crown Prince. He needs a pon maaligai to live in. He is using all the wealth that was won from the Gangapadi in building this. He didn't even send one pound of that gold to the royal treasury in Thanjavur."
"Is the pon maaligai completed?" asked one of the noble men.
"Yes, the work has been completed. That's what my spies have told me. We have also been getting message after message for Sundara Chola from his dear son asking him to come and stay in the pon maaligai," said Pazhuvetar.
"Is the Maharaja going to Kanchi?" asked one of them in worried tone.
"Don't worry nothing like that will happen when I am there. My brother is the commander of the Thanjavur Fort and no one can approach the King without his permission. No one can enter the Fort and meet the king or give messages. We have already blocked two or three messages that came for him."
This elicited cheers among the group they all shouted, "Long live Pazhuvetar."
"Wait, there is more. You have only heard of our Crown Prince's actions. Wait until you hear about Prince Arulmozhivarman's strange warfare. We all know about Yuddha Dharma and the way it was fought by our ancestors. 'If we wage a war on another country, our warriors will have to make arrangements for food in that country.' This is what we have been following. But do you know what Prince Arulmozhivarmar says? He wants us to send him food materials from Chola Kingdom. It has been almost a year since I have been sending ships loaded with food materials."
"Strange! Strange!"
"Never heard of anything like this before."
These were some of the exclamations from the noblemen.
"Do you know what reason he gives his actions? He says that he doesn't want to trouble the people of Sri Lanka by grabbing food from them. We have to fight only the royal forces of Sri Lanka and not the people of Sri Lanka. So we will have to send the food from here."
"I have never heard anything like this before. This looks as if we will have to fall at the feet of the people we have conquered," said Sambuvereyar.
"Do you know the problems that I have to face because of both these Princes? The treasury is getting depleted thanks to them and the end result is that I have to levy more tax on all of you. That's why I have been nominated as the head of the treasury. It's only my loyalty to Chola Kingdom that's not allowing me to resign my post. Otherwise I would have done that a long time ago."
"No! No! You must not do that. You cannot desert us this way. Have you tried telling all this to the King?" asked Mazhavereyar.
"Of course I have. But each time he says, 'Ask Periyapirati or Illayapirati". I think I mentioned this earlier, because of his illness the King's mind is not on the right track. He does not consult any of us before taking an important decision. He has more trust on the advice of his aunt Sembiyanmadevi and of course next comes his daughter Kundavai. He wants us to go to her for advice; we who have grown old serving this kingdom must go and ask advice from that little girl. I have never heard of women interfering in the affairs of the kingdom. How long will I have to burn in this shame? I don't know. It drives me mad. I really want to resign my post and go away."
"No! No! You cannot desert us like this," cried everybody at the same time.
"Then what is the solution? I cannot bear to be in this kingdom which has become worse than Allirajyam."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Kanchi - KancheepuramPon Malligai - golden palace
Gangapadi - a Rashtrakuta kingdom near the River Krishna Yuddha Dharma - the ancient art of warfarePeriyapirati - a title used to address or refer to highly respected noblewomen
Allirajyam - a kingdom ruled by women
"Who were they to discuss or determine anything about the royal throne? I must definitely learn what is happening here? Better to sit here it self. Azhvarkadiyan can go to hell. This is more important.
"By a lucky chance I have got an opportunity to know what's happening here. Why miss it?" he thought.
By this time Pazhuvetar had started speaking at the conference below.
"I have brought a very important news for all of you. That's why I asked noble Sambuvereyar to invite us all here. Maharaja Sundara Chola's health has been steadily deteriorating. I secretly asked our royal physician and he says that there is absolutely no chance of his health improving again. His days are numbered. That's why we will have to think about the future of the royal throne."
"What do the astrologers say?" asked one of the noble men.
"Why ask the astrologers? Haven't you seen the comet that has been appearing for the past few weeks? Whenever a comet appears on the sky there will be death in the royal family," said another.
"I have asked the astrologers as well and they say that the king might live for some more time. Anyway we will have to decide who should ascend the throne next," said Pazhuvetar.
"What is the use of discussing that now? Aditya Karikalan has been made the Crown Prince two years ago," said one of the noblemen.
"True. But before doing that did Sundara Chola consult any of us? We all have stood by the Chola Kingdom with loyalty and have sacrificed our sons and grandsons in the battlefield. Even now warriors from each of our clans have gone to Sri Lanka to fight for the Chola Kingdom. Don't you think we deserve the right to be consulted before Sundara Chola decides who will ascend the throne? Even King Dasaratha consulted his council of ministers before deciding to crown Rama. But our Sundara Chola didn't think it necessary to consult anyone…"
At this someone interrupted and said, "He didn't consult any of us here. But it wouldn't be right to say that he didn't consult anybody at all. He must have consulted Periyapirati Sembiyanmadevi and Illayapirati Kundavai Devi. Can Pazhuvetar refute this?"
Hearing this some people laughed.
"Great! You are all laughing! I don't know how you are able to though. This is so shameful for me that I would prefer to die. When Devaralan asked for sacrifice why didn't you sacrifice me? My clan is almost a thousand years old. I would be the perfect sacrifice," growled Pazhuvetar.
Hearing this everybody fell silent in the group.
"My lord, you must forgive our mistake. It was just a harmless joke. You are the leader of this group. You cannot desert us now. We are ready to act according to your wishes," said Sambuvereyar.
"I am sorry I lost my patience. Let me tell you one thing. About a hundred years ago King Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur and crushed the Mutharaiyar. Since then the Chola Kingdom has been steadily growing powerful. We have expanded our Kingdom upto Krishna River but the territory beyond that has not been conquered nor has Sri Lanka come within our power. Can anyone tell me the reason why they are holding out to us?" asked Pazhuvetar.
"We all know the reason. The first reason is Northern commander Aditya Karikalan and the second is our Southern Commander Arulmozhivarman," said Mazhavereyar.
"I agree with Mazhavereyar. For the past 100 years only those warriors who have had years of experience in warfare became commanders but now the Crown prince Aditya Karikalan is the Northern commander. But what do you think he is doing? He is not preparing to conquer the lands beyond Krishna river instead he is sitting in Kanchi building a Pon Maligai. Have you ever heard of a Prince building a pon maaligai for himself? Even the great King Paranthaka Chola thought it fit to build a golden roof for Lord Shiva's temple. Even he didn't build a pon maaligai for himself. In Kanchi, Pallava Chakravarthis have built many magnificent stone palaces but they are all not enough for our Crown Prince. He needs a pon maaligai to live in. He is using all the wealth that was won from the Gangapadi in building this. He didn't even send one pound of that gold to the royal treasury in Thanjavur."
"Is the pon maaligai completed?" asked one of the noble men.
"Yes, the work has been completed. That's what my spies have told me. We have also been getting message after message for Sundara Chola from his dear son asking him to come and stay in the pon maaligai," said Pazhuvetar.
"Is the Maharaja going to Kanchi?" asked one of them in worried tone.
"Don't worry nothing like that will happen when I am there. My brother is the commander of the Thanjavur Fort and no one can approach the King without his permission. No one can enter the Fort and meet the king or give messages. We have already blocked two or three messages that came for him."
This elicited cheers among the group they all shouted, "Long live Pazhuvetar."
"Wait, there is more. You have only heard of our Crown Prince's actions. Wait until you hear about Prince Arulmozhivarman's strange warfare. We all know about Yuddha Dharma and the way it was fought by our ancestors. 'If we wage a war on another country, our warriors will have to make arrangements for food in that country.' This is what we have been following. But do you know what Prince Arulmozhivarmar says? He wants us to send him food materials from Chola Kingdom. It has been almost a year since I have been sending ships loaded with food materials."
"Strange! Strange!"
"Never heard of anything like this before."
These were some of the exclamations from the noblemen.
"Do you know what reason he gives his actions? He says that he doesn't want to trouble the people of Sri Lanka by grabbing food from them. We have to fight only the royal forces of Sri Lanka and not the people of Sri Lanka. So we will have to send the food from here."
"I have never heard anything like this before. This looks as if we will have to fall at the feet of the people we have conquered," said Sambuvereyar.
"Do you know the problems that I have to face because of both these Princes? The treasury is getting depleted thanks to them and the end result is that I have to levy more tax on all of you. That's why I have been nominated as the head of the treasury. It's only my loyalty to Chola Kingdom that's not allowing me to resign my post. Otherwise I would have done that a long time ago."
"No! No! You must not do that. You cannot desert us this way. Have you tried telling all this to the King?" asked Mazhavereyar.
"Of course I have. But each time he says, 'Ask Periyapirati or Illayapirati". I think I mentioned this earlier, because of his illness the King's mind is not on the right track. He does not consult any of us before taking an important decision. He has more trust on the advice of his aunt Sembiyanmadevi and of course next comes his daughter Kundavai. He wants us to go to her for advice; we who have grown old serving this kingdom must go and ask advice from that little girl. I have never heard of women interfering in the affairs of the kingdom. How long will I have to burn in this shame? I don't know. It drives me mad. I really want to resign my post and go away."
"No! No! You cannot desert us like this," cried everybody at the same time.
"Then what is the solution? I cannot bear to be in this kingdom which has become worse than Allirajyam."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Kanchi - KancheepuramPon Malligai - golden palace
Gangapadi - a Rashtrakuta kingdom near the River Krishna Yuddha Dharma - the ancient art of warfarePeriyapirati - a title used to address or refer to highly respected noblewomen
Allirajyam - a kingdom ruled by women
Chapter 6 - The Midnight Conference
After the Kuravai Koothu, a big feast was held. Vallavareyan didn't enjoy it all that much. He was dead tired. But still he didn't say anything when his friend sat along with him telling him who was who.
Apart from Pazhuvetar of course, Mazhavereyar, Mazhapadi Thanavan, Kunrathur Perunilakezhar, Mammudi Pallavareyar, Thenthongi Kalingarayer, Vanangamudi Munnaireyar, Devasenathipati Puvareyar were some of the prominent figures in Sambuvereyar's guest list.
Vandiya Devan knew that these noblemen were the most important officials of the Chola court. Each one of them could also be described as petty kings. In those days one could not be a king just by birth. Only those who stood by the emperor with loyalty and bravery during a war would be recognized and given lands and property and established as a petty king.
Vandiya Devan realized that unless it was something very important all these noblemen and petty kings would not have come together in one place.
Many questions kept cropping up in his mind, "Why have they all come here…? What is happening here today?"
With this confusion at the back of his mind, he went with Kandanmaran to the terrace where he had a bed at the far end.
"You look very tired, Vallava. Get some sleep. I will just attend to the other guests and come soon to sleep here," said Kandanmaran.
As soon as he hit the bed, Vandiya Devan fell asleep but only to awaken in his dream world. He dreamt of a wolf howling somewhere; suddenly in a second the one wolf became a hundred and they all came charging towards him. Vandiya Devan started running.
In front of him another hundred dogs came towards him barking. Terrified Vandiya Devan looked around and spotted a temple. He immediately ran towards it. It was a Kali temple. In the entrance he saw the sacrificial stone. A pujari suddenly appeared from behind the statue.
"So… you come at last! What is the history of your royal race? How long did your clan rule?" asked the pujari.
"The Vanar clan ruled for almost 300 years. During my father's time we lost our kingdom to Vaithumbarayer," Vandiya Devan answered.
"In that case you are not the perfect sacrifice for Kali. Go away!"
Suddenly the statue of Kali vanished and Lord Krishna appeared instead. And two beautiful women start singing the Aandal pasuram as they garlanded the deity.
Vallavareyan was mesmerised by the sight. Behind him he heard a familiar voice singing. He turned -- it was Azhvarkadiyan. No, it was Azhvarkadiyan's head that was singing! It was kept on the sacrificial stone!
Unable to stand the gory sight any longer, Vandiya Devan turned in his sleep and hit his head on a pillar. The dream ended and he woke up. But he saw something that had appeared in his dreams just now. It was Azhvarkadiyan's head!
In the terrace where Vandiya Devan slept, the high walls of the palace could be seen -- this was where he saw Azhvarkadiyan's head. Vandiya Devan blinked his eyes but the head didn't vanish. Azhvarkadiyan had climbed on the walls and was looking at something that was happening on the other side of the wall within the palace.
"This is fishy. Azhvarkadiyan has not come here with any good intention," thought Vandiya Devan. "He is spying on somebody… if he intends any harm to my friend's family it is my duty to warn and protect them."
He immediately got up and walked towards the place where Azhvarkadiyan's head was seen. Since he was sleeping at the far end of the terrace, it was some time before he reached across. As he neared, he heard the sound of voices from below. He got behind a huge pillar and cautiously looked down. There were very dim lights, but still he could make out that all the guests, Kandanmaran and his father were sitting there.
Azhvarkadiyan was spying on them! Vandiya Devan noted that he had cleverly selected a spot from where he could see and listen to what was happening, but no one could see from below because of the dark shadows from the trees around.
Vandiya Devan was determined to warn the people below about this. But there was no way he could do this without attracting attention to himself. And by the time he explained things, Azhvarkadiyan would probably disappear. And in the end he would have to bear the brunt of his host's suspicion.
If they asked him to explain why he was roaming around in the terrace, what answer could he possibly give? He also remembered how Kandanmaran's father had given him a half-hearted welcome. Given that he didn't want to embarrass Kandanmaran who had welcomed him despite his father's disapproval.
Thinking thus, Vandiya Devan looked down and spotted a veiled palanquin in a corner. Could this be the same palanquin that carried Pazhuvetar's wife? He wondered where that fair complexioned woman was. The old man didn't even send her to the anthapuram.
People who are that old should never get married. Look at the fate of this great warrior, he is so enslaved by the beauty of the woman that he didn't allow her out of his sight for even a minute. May be she was still in the palanquin. What did he see in her anyway? She was not that beautiful. He could still remember the disgust he felt when he had got a glimpse of her.
Was Azhvarkadiyan hanging around because of her? Maybe he was related to her and wanted to send her a message. May be she was his sister or lover, who was to know? Pazhuvetar could have kidnapped her and married her forcibly. Vandiya Devan was certain that he was quite capable of such an act. That was why Azhvarkadiyan was looking out for an opportunity to meet her.
"It would be better if I didn't get involved in such affairs. I guess I should go back to my bed," thought Vandiya Devan.
At this point Vandiya Devan heard his name being mentioned in the conference below.
"What about that boy, your son's friend who has come here? Where is he sleeping? Are you sure he is not spying on us? Don't forget that he works under Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan. We must not let even one word of our plan leak out until we see signs of it being fulfilled. If at all you suspect that he knows something, he must be killed immediately!" Pazhuvetar was saying.
You can imagine how Vandiya Devan would have felt on hearing this. In that instant he came to the decision that he would hear out every single word of the conference. What objection did Pazhuvetar have if he worked for the Crown Prince? What would they be discussing that Prince Aditya shouldn't know?
The next second he heard his friend defending him, "Vandiya Devan is fast asleep at the far end of the terrace. He cannot hear a word of what's happening here. And he does not poke his nose into things that do not concern him. Even if he does get to know something, it won't affect our plans in any way. I guarantee that."
"I am glad that you trust your friend so much, but we don't know anything about him, that's why I warned you. We are about to discuss the future of the Chola kingdom's throne and we cannot afford to be careless," said Pazhuvetar.
Chapter 5 - Kuravai Koothu
After coming out of the anthapuram, Vandiya Deven and Kandanmaran heard a woman's voice calling out for Kandanmaran from inside.
"Mother is calling me. I will back in a second," he said and reentered the anthapuram.
Inside all the womenfolk seemed to be talking and laughing simultaneously. He heard a garble of voices questioning Kandanmaran who it seemed was finding it difficult to answer. Vandiya Devan thought that they were all laughing about him.
At last when Kandanmaran came out he said, "Come, I will show you around our palace."
While they were going Vandiya Devan asked, "Kandanmara, the second time you left me and went inside the anthapuram, the womenfolk seemed very enthusiastic. What is the matter? Are they very happy after seeing me?"
"They all liked you very much. But don't worry, they were not laughing at you."
"Then why were they laughing?" he persisted.
"You know this Pazhuvetar, at his age, married a young woman. He brought her here in a veiled palanquin. And he didn't even send her to the anthapuram. He keeps her locked in his own quarters. One of our servant maids claimed that she saw her from the window and was describing her beauty in the anthapuram. That is why they were all laughing. Each one of them is guessing which country she is from. And some thought that I might know something and asked me. They say that she might be from the Chera kingdom. Do you know that Pazhuvetar's ancestors are from the Chera kingdom?" asked Kandanmaran.
"Oh yes, I think you told me once. Kandanmara, when did Pazhuvetar marry this mysterious beauty?"
"About two years ago I think. Since then he has not left her alone even for a minute. He takes her everywhere in his veiled palanquin. All over the Chola kingdom people are ridiculing him for getting married to a young woman at this age. That is why the womenfolk here were also laughing."
"I don't believe that is the reason, Kandanmara. Shall I tell you the real reason behind your womenfolk's laughter? But please don't think that I am talking ill of them, the entire women's race is like that. The women in your family are dark-complexioned beauties whereas Pazhuvetar's beloved is fair-complexioned. That's why they don't like her. They are jealous," explained Vandiya Devan.
"My God! How do you know about her complexion? Have you seen her? When and how did you see her? If Pazhuvetar comes to know about this he will have your head!" said Kandanmaran.
"Kandanmara, you know very well that I am not scared about these things. And I haven't done anything that I shouldn't have. In Veeranarayanapuram when Pazhuvetar and his entourage came along I stood watching along with the crowd. I heard that you sent the entire procession of horses, elephants and soldiers. Is that true?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"That's right. So what?" asked Kandanmaran.
"Nothing. I was just comparing the welcome you gave him and the welcome I got here, that's all," Vandiya Devan said cheekily.
Kandanmaran laughed out loud and said, "Pazhuvetar got a welcome that befitted the treasurer of the kingdom. You got a welcome that befits a true warrior. Don't worry, tomorrow when you become the son-in-law of this family with God's grace, you will get another rousing welcome from all of us. Hey, you were telling me about Pazhuvetar's 'beloved wife' and we changed the subject. Tell me where did you see her?"
"I was watching Pazhuvetar's procession. When I saw Pazhuvetar on the gray elephant I was thinking that one day I should also become like him. After the elephant passed I saw a veiled palanquin. I was wondering who could be inside it when I saw a fair hand parting the veil and a fair face looked out. I just had a glimpse, that's all. Now that you told me about her I guess that woman must be Pazhuvetar's recent wife," Vandiya Devan said.
"Vandiya Deva, you lucky fellow! Do you know no man has laid eyes on that beautiful woman? At least you had a glimpse of her face. What is your guess? Which country do you think she is from?" asked Kandanmaran excitedly.
"At that point I didn't think about it. Now when I think back about her, I think she might be from the kingdom of Kashmir, Greece, or may be she is from Arabia. Do you know women in Arabia are veiled all the time?" said Vandiya Devan.
At that point they both heard sounds of conches and the beating of drums.
"What is that sound?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"The Kuravai Koothu is starting. Do you wish to watch it or would like to have dinner and sleep?"
"I have never watched Kuravai Koothu. I would like to watch," Vandiya Devan said, remembering Azhvarkadiyan. Both the friends went up to the stage and sat down in the last row of seats. The other noble guests had already assembled before the stage. The dancers (mostly women) came up on the stage wearing interesting costumes. They were wearing saffron-coloured robes with red flowers in their hair. They had also entwined the flowers around their hands and necks. The stage was decorated with paintings of the peacock, cock and spear, which are the holy symbols of Lord Muruga. The dancers began to dance and sing simultaneously about the exploits of Lord Muruga. After performing many a song they bowed low to the audience and left the stage.
Next came, 'Devaralan and Devaratti' who performed a war dance wearing blood red clothes. Both their eyes were bloodshot and even their mouth was red from chewing betel leaves and tobacco. The dance started slowly but gained momentum as Lord Muruga went about vanquishing his enemies. As the dance became wild, Devaratti left the stage and Devaralan danced away alone on the stage with vigorous movements.
It is a belief that sometimes when the dancers perform religious and ritualistic dances, the Gods possess them. The same happened here! As Devaralan's dance became wild the musicians stopped playing and a pujari stepped forward playing a hand drum. Devaralan was shaking from head to foot as if a spirit possessed him. The others in the audience whispered among themselves, "He has been possessed!"
The pujari then asked Devaralan, "Vela! Muruga! What is your divine message for your servants?"
"Ask me anything. I will tell you," Devaralan said.
"Will it rain this year? Will the kingdom prosper? Will we achieve our goals?" asked the pujari.
"Yes, it will rain. The kingdom will flourish; you will succeed in all your undertakings. But you will have to perform a sacrifice to my Mother. Durga demands a sacrifice."
"What sacrifice would she like?"
"Will you give whatever she asks for?" asked Devaralan.
"Yes, certainly," said the pujari.
"Her sacrifice should be of royal blood."
Hearing this all the noblemen exchanged meaningful looks. At this point Devaralan fainted. Devaratti then came on the stage and took him away, while everybody dispersed quietly.
Vandiya Devan was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions. He heard a wolf howling somewhere outside the palace. When he looked in that direction he thought he saw Azhvarkadiyan's head on the wall! He shook his head and looked again - there was nothing there!
"Mother is calling me. I will back in a second," he said and reentered the anthapuram.
Inside all the womenfolk seemed to be talking and laughing simultaneously. He heard a garble of voices questioning Kandanmaran who it seemed was finding it difficult to answer. Vandiya Devan thought that they were all laughing about him.
At last when Kandanmaran came out he said, "Come, I will show you around our palace."
While they were going Vandiya Devan asked, "Kandanmara, the second time you left me and went inside the anthapuram, the womenfolk seemed very enthusiastic. What is the matter? Are they very happy after seeing me?"
"They all liked you very much. But don't worry, they were not laughing at you."
"Then why were they laughing?" he persisted.
"You know this Pazhuvetar, at his age, married a young woman. He brought her here in a veiled palanquin. And he didn't even send her to the anthapuram. He keeps her locked in his own quarters. One of our servant maids claimed that she saw her from the window and was describing her beauty in the anthapuram. That is why they were all laughing. Each one of them is guessing which country she is from. And some thought that I might know something and asked me. They say that she might be from the Chera kingdom. Do you know that Pazhuvetar's ancestors are from the Chera kingdom?" asked Kandanmaran.
"Oh yes, I think you told me once. Kandanmara, when did Pazhuvetar marry this mysterious beauty?"
"About two years ago I think. Since then he has not left her alone even for a minute. He takes her everywhere in his veiled palanquin. All over the Chola kingdom people are ridiculing him for getting married to a young woman at this age. That is why the womenfolk here were also laughing."
"I don't believe that is the reason, Kandanmara. Shall I tell you the real reason behind your womenfolk's laughter? But please don't think that I am talking ill of them, the entire women's race is like that. The women in your family are dark-complexioned beauties whereas Pazhuvetar's beloved is fair-complexioned. That's why they don't like her. They are jealous," explained Vandiya Devan.
"My God! How do you know about her complexion? Have you seen her? When and how did you see her? If Pazhuvetar comes to know about this he will have your head!" said Kandanmaran.
"Kandanmara, you know very well that I am not scared about these things. And I haven't done anything that I shouldn't have. In Veeranarayanapuram when Pazhuvetar and his entourage came along I stood watching along with the crowd. I heard that you sent the entire procession of horses, elephants and soldiers. Is that true?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"That's right. So what?" asked Kandanmaran.
"Nothing. I was just comparing the welcome you gave him and the welcome I got here, that's all," Vandiya Devan said cheekily.
Kandanmaran laughed out loud and said, "Pazhuvetar got a welcome that befitted the treasurer of the kingdom. You got a welcome that befits a true warrior. Don't worry, tomorrow when you become the son-in-law of this family with God's grace, you will get another rousing welcome from all of us. Hey, you were telling me about Pazhuvetar's 'beloved wife' and we changed the subject. Tell me where did you see her?"
"I was watching Pazhuvetar's procession. When I saw Pazhuvetar on the gray elephant I was thinking that one day I should also become like him. After the elephant passed I saw a veiled palanquin. I was wondering who could be inside it when I saw a fair hand parting the veil and a fair face looked out. I just had a glimpse, that's all. Now that you told me about her I guess that woman must be Pazhuvetar's recent wife," Vandiya Devan said.
"Vandiya Deva, you lucky fellow! Do you know no man has laid eyes on that beautiful woman? At least you had a glimpse of her face. What is your guess? Which country do you think she is from?" asked Kandanmaran excitedly.
"At that point I didn't think about it. Now when I think back about her, I think she might be from the kingdom of Kashmir, Greece, or may be she is from Arabia. Do you know women in Arabia are veiled all the time?" said Vandiya Devan.
At that point they both heard sounds of conches and the beating of drums.
"What is that sound?" asked Vandiya Devan.
"The Kuravai Koothu is starting. Do you wish to watch it or would like to have dinner and sleep?"
"I have never watched Kuravai Koothu. I would like to watch," Vandiya Devan said, remembering Azhvarkadiyan. Both the friends went up to the stage and sat down in the last row of seats. The other noble guests had already assembled before the stage. The dancers (mostly women) came up on the stage wearing interesting costumes. They were wearing saffron-coloured robes with red flowers in their hair. They had also entwined the flowers around their hands and necks. The stage was decorated with paintings of the peacock, cock and spear, which are the holy symbols of Lord Muruga. The dancers began to dance and sing simultaneously about the exploits of Lord Muruga. After performing many a song they bowed low to the audience and left the stage.
Next came, 'Devaralan and Devaratti' who performed a war dance wearing blood red clothes. Both their eyes were bloodshot and even their mouth was red from chewing betel leaves and tobacco. The dance started slowly but gained momentum as Lord Muruga went about vanquishing his enemies. As the dance became wild, Devaratti left the stage and Devaralan danced away alone on the stage with vigorous movements.
It is a belief that sometimes when the dancers perform religious and ritualistic dances, the Gods possess them. The same happened here! As Devaralan's dance became wild the musicians stopped playing and a pujari stepped forward playing a hand drum. Devaralan was shaking from head to foot as if a spirit possessed him. The others in the audience whispered among themselves, "He has been possessed!"
The pujari then asked Devaralan, "Vela! Muruga! What is your divine message for your servants?"
"Ask me anything. I will tell you," Devaralan said.
"Will it rain this year? Will the kingdom prosper? Will we achieve our goals?" asked the pujari.
"Yes, it will rain. The kingdom will flourish; you will succeed in all your undertakings. But you will have to perform a sacrifice to my Mother. Durga demands a sacrifice."
"What sacrifice would she like?"
"Will you give whatever she asks for?" asked Devaralan.
"Yes, certainly," said the pujari.
"Her sacrifice should be of royal blood."
Hearing this all the noblemen exchanged meaningful looks. At this point Devaralan fainted. Devaratti then came on the stage and took him away, while everybody dispersed quietly.
Vandiya Devan was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions. He heard a wolf howling somewhere outside the palace. When he looked in that direction he thought he saw Azhvarkadiyan's head on the wall! He shook his head and looked again - there was nothing there!
Chapter 4 - The Kadambur Palace
Vandiya Devan reached Kadambur Palace within an hour after he left Veeranarayana Temple. Sengannar Sambuverayar was one of the foremost noblemen in the Chola kingdom. His palace stood as a testimony of his power. It looked almost as huge as a king's fort with its high walls.
At the entrance there were horses, elephants and their caretakers moving around. At strategic points there were soldiers holding torches.
"Seems like there is something important happening here. Why did we have to come here today of all days?" thought Vandiya Devan.
But he was also interested in knowing what was happening in the palace that day. The doors of the palace lay open but were heavily guarded.
Vandiya Devan knew that if he stood hesitatingly watching the palace the soldiers wouldn't allow him inside. So he rode up to the entrance. Just when he reached the entrance the soldiers guarding it surrounded him.
"Is this the way people here treat their guests?" asked Vallavareyan furiously.
"Who are you? You tell us that first," asked one of the soldiers.
"You dare to ask me who I am? I am Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan of the Vanar clan in Thiruvallam. Once upon a time soldiers like you proudly carved the names of my ancestors on their chests," bellowed Vandiya Devan.
"You might have as well brought an announcer to announce Your Highness' arrival,' sniggered one of the soldiers. Hearing this the other soldiers laughed.
"Whoever you are you cannot go inside now. The guests who were invite have all arrived and our master has ordered us not to allow anybody else inside," said the head of the guards.
Hearing the commotion and the jeers at the entrance the other soldiers engaged in other chores near the palace came to the entrance to find out what's happening. Along with them came the gang of Pazhuvur soldiers who had harassed our hero's horse a little while ago.
"Hey look! It's the same horse."
"Don't say horse. Say donkey instead."
"Look how proudly that guy is sitting on the donkey."
You can imagine how angry Vandiya Devan would be now.
"This isn't the time to fight. I must remember what Prince Karikalar told me. May be I should just go back or else may be I should show them Karikalar's signet ring to gain entrance," thought Vandiya Devan.
But as the Pazhuvur soldiers jeered more he came to a decision as to what to do.
The soldiers who were blocking him gave way. He immediately kicked his horse deep in the belly causing it to lift its hooves high up in the air, striking the jeering soldiers and at the same time he pulled out his sword.
Many things happened simultaneously. The soldiers inside the palace hearing the commotion urgently shut the huge doors and started ringing the alarm bell. Guards from all over the grounds started running towards the entrance.
There were almost twenty or thirty soldiers around Vandiya Devan and his horse. He jumped from his horse and started swinging his sword around him, lest they attack him and at the same time he started shouting at the top of his voice, "Kandanmara, your soldiers are attacking me!"
Hearing this the soldiers hesitated to approach him.
Next moment they heard a thundering voice from the terrace of the palace.
"What is this commotion? And what is happening here?"
"Master, one guy tried to enter the palace and when we didn't allow he started attacking us and started shouting our young master's name."
"Kandanmara, just go and see what's happening there," ordered the same thundering voice.
Vandiya Devan and the guards remained quiet until Kandanmaran came.
"What is happening here?" asked Kandanmaran when he arrived. And when his eyes fell on
Vandiya Devan he became excited and forgot the reason he came there.
"Vallava, is it really you?" he asked looking at Vandiya Devan surprised and then enveloped him in a bear hug.
"Kandanmara, you invited me earnestly so many times so I thought I would visit you when I have work in this region. But I never expected such a welcome in your house." said Vandiya Devan pointing at the guards.
"Fools! Idiots! You don't know how to behave with guests!" shouted Kandanmaran at the guards.
After that Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan's hand and pulled him inside the palace. He was thoroughly excited to see his best friend. He immediately took him to the terrace to introduce him to his father.
On the way Vandiya Devan asked him, "Kandanmara, what's happening here? Why so many guards and restriction?"
"That I will tell you later. But do you remember when we were at the border you were telling me that you want to meet Pazhuvetar and Mazhavareyar? Today is your lucky day Vandiya Deva, you can meet them all here," said Kandanmaran.
In the terrace Kandanmaran's father and other noblemen were sitting. Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan straight to his father and introduced him.
"Father, do you remember I told you about my best friend Vandiya Devan. This is him."
Kandanmaran's father didn't seem too very happy to see him. He said, "Really? So all that confusion and chaos downstairs was because of him?"
Kandanmaran, angered by his father's words, replied "No. It was because of those idiots that we have got as guards."
"Even then he needn't have created so much of a commotion," said Kandanmaran's father.
Not wanting to argue further with his father, Kandanmaran pulled Vandiya Devan along and took him to the center of the terrace where many noblemen had assembled. There he introduced Vandiya Devan to Pazhuvetar.
"Mama, this is my friend Vandiya Devan of Vanar clan. For a very long time he has been telling me that he wanted to meet you. He was always asking me whether you really had sixty four scars in your body."
"Really Thambi, so you think there cannot be a brave soldier from any other clan than the Vanar, is it?" asked Pazhuvetar.
Both Vandiya Devan and Kandanmaran were shocked. They never thought that Pazhuvetar would twist their words like that.
Vandiya Devan was furious. But he nevertheless said, "Sir, how can I think like that when I am in front of a great warrior?"
"I am very pleased to meet you," said Pazhuvetar though he didn't look pleased at all.
When they left the terrace, they met Kandanmaran's father downstairs who told him to get Vandiya Devan his dinner so that he could retire for the day.
After that Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan to the anthapuram to introduce his mother. He also introduced his sister to him who was feeling shy and was hiding behind her mother.
Vandiya Devan, who was hoping to talk to her, was disappointed but he was also more disappointed when he noticed that lady in the veiled palanquin was not among the women there!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Mama - uncleAnthapuram - A part of the palace where women were quartered
At the entrance there were horses, elephants and their caretakers moving around. At strategic points there were soldiers holding torches.
"Seems like there is something important happening here. Why did we have to come here today of all days?" thought Vandiya Devan.
But he was also interested in knowing what was happening in the palace that day. The doors of the palace lay open but were heavily guarded.
Vandiya Devan knew that if he stood hesitatingly watching the palace the soldiers wouldn't allow him inside. So he rode up to the entrance. Just when he reached the entrance the soldiers guarding it surrounded him.
"Is this the way people here treat their guests?" asked Vallavareyan furiously.
"Who are you? You tell us that first," asked one of the soldiers.
"You dare to ask me who I am? I am Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan of the Vanar clan in Thiruvallam. Once upon a time soldiers like you proudly carved the names of my ancestors on their chests," bellowed Vandiya Devan.
"You might have as well brought an announcer to announce Your Highness' arrival,' sniggered one of the soldiers. Hearing this the other soldiers laughed.
"Whoever you are you cannot go inside now. The guests who were invite have all arrived and our master has ordered us not to allow anybody else inside," said the head of the guards.
Hearing the commotion and the jeers at the entrance the other soldiers engaged in other chores near the palace came to the entrance to find out what's happening. Along with them came the gang of Pazhuvur soldiers who had harassed our hero's horse a little while ago.
"Hey look! It's the same horse."
"Don't say horse. Say donkey instead."
"Look how proudly that guy is sitting on the donkey."
You can imagine how angry Vandiya Devan would be now.
"This isn't the time to fight. I must remember what Prince Karikalar told me. May be I should just go back or else may be I should show them Karikalar's signet ring to gain entrance," thought Vandiya Devan.
But as the Pazhuvur soldiers jeered more he came to a decision as to what to do.
The soldiers who were blocking him gave way. He immediately kicked his horse deep in the belly causing it to lift its hooves high up in the air, striking the jeering soldiers and at the same time he pulled out his sword.
Many things happened simultaneously. The soldiers inside the palace hearing the commotion urgently shut the huge doors and started ringing the alarm bell. Guards from all over the grounds started running towards the entrance.
There were almost twenty or thirty soldiers around Vandiya Devan and his horse. He jumped from his horse and started swinging his sword around him, lest they attack him and at the same time he started shouting at the top of his voice, "Kandanmara, your soldiers are attacking me!"
Hearing this the soldiers hesitated to approach him.
Next moment they heard a thundering voice from the terrace of the palace.
"What is this commotion? And what is happening here?"
"Master, one guy tried to enter the palace and when we didn't allow he started attacking us and started shouting our young master's name."
"Kandanmara, just go and see what's happening there," ordered the same thundering voice.
Vandiya Devan and the guards remained quiet until Kandanmaran came.
"What is happening here?" asked Kandanmaran when he arrived. And when his eyes fell on
Vandiya Devan he became excited and forgot the reason he came there.
"Vallava, is it really you?" he asked looking at Vandiya Devan surprised and then enveloped him in a bear hug.
"Kandanmara, you invited me earnestly so many times so I thought I would visit you when I have work in this region. But I never expected such a welcome in your house." said Vandiya Devan pointing at the guards.
"Fools! Idiots! You don't know how to behave with guests!" shouted Kandanmaran at the guards.
After that Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan's hand and pulled him inside the palace. He was thoroughly excited to see his best friend. He immediately took him to the terrace to introduce him to his father.
On the way Vandiya Devan asked him, "Kandanmara, what's happening here? Why so many guards and restriction?"
"That I will tell you later. But do you remember when we were at the border you were telling me that you want to meet Pazhuvetar and Mazhavareyar? Today is your lucky day Vandiya Deva, you can meet them all here," said Kandanmaran.
In the terrace Kandanmaran's father and other noblemen were sitting. Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan straight to his father and introduced him.
"Father, do you remember I told you about my best friend Vandiya Devan. This is him."
Kandanmaran's father didn't seem too very happy to see him. He said, "Really? So all that confusion and chaos downstairs was because of him?"
Kandanmaran, angered by his father's words, replied "No. It was because of those idiots that we have got as guards."
"Even then he needn't have created so much of a commotion," said Kandanmaran's father.
Not wanting to argue further with his father, Kandanmaran pulled Vandiya Devan along and took him to the center of the terrace where many noblemen had assembled. There he introduced Vandiya Devan to Pazhuvetar.
"Mama, this is my friend Vandiya Devan of Vanar clan. For a very long time he has been telling me that he wanted to meet you. He was always asking me whether you really had sixty four scars in your body."
"Really Thambi, so you think there cannot be a brave soldier from any other clan than the Vanar, is it?" asked Pazhuvetar.
Both Vandiya Devan and Kandanmaran were shocked. They never thought that Pazhuvetar would twist their words like that.
Vandiya Devan was furious. But he nevertheless said, "Sir, how can I think like that when I am in front of a great warrior?"
"I am very pleased to meet you," said Pazhuvetar though he didn't look pleased at all.
When they left the terrace, they met Kandanmaran's father downstairs who told him to get Vandiya Devan his dinner so that he could retire for the day.
After that Kandanmaran took Vandiya Devan to the anthapuram to introduce his mother. He also introduced his sister to him who was feeling shy and was hiding behind her mother.
Vandiya Devan, who was hoping to talk to her, was disappointed but he was also more disappointed when he noticed that lady in the veiled palanquin was not among the women there!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
Mama - uncleAnthapuram - A part of the palace where women were quartered
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)