Showing posts with label ponniyin selvan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ponniyin selvan. Show all posts

Part 1-A New Floods Chapter 22 The Velakkara Battalion || "Ponniyin Selvan" of Kalki Krishnamurthy Tamil Historic Novel about the Great King Raja Raja Cholan

 CHAPTER 22 The Velakkara Battalion


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First the cloth curtain, the outer one with the insignia on it, opened. Then the inner silk curtain also began to move.

Vandiyathevan saw the golden-hued hand he had seen earlier. Thinking it was not right to sit on the horse any longer, Vandiyathevan jumped down. He ran to the palanquin, looked up and said, “Raja, Raja, the bearers...” He closed his eyes, opened them and looked again. His eyes were dazzled. His speech slurred and and his throat grew dry. “No! No! You are the Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani... the Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani. The palanquin belonging to your men dashed against my  horse,” he stuttered incoherently.

 

*****

All this happened within a split second. The armed soldiers at the front and rear of the palanquin surrounded Vandiyathevan. 

Vandiyathevan’s hand reached automatically for his sheathed sword. His eyes however, could not tear themselves away from the face he saw between the curtains, beautiful as the moon.

Yes! Contrary to his expectations, the form he now saw in the palanquin was really a woman's. And what a woman! Never had Vandiyathevan imagined that beauty like this, which could drive the beholder crazy, could exist.

Fortunately for him, a nerve in his brain clicked at that moment. A fantastic idea came to him and he decided to put it into action.

With a great effort, he cleared his throat and willed himself to be strong enough to articulate. “Forgive me. Aren’t you the Pazhuvoor Rani? I’ve come all this way just to see you.”

A gentle smile played over the Rani's youthful face. Her lotus- like lips opened a little, showing pearly teeth. The magnetism of her smile disconcerted our young warrior.

The soldiers seemed to be waiting for orders from their mistress. She made a sign with her hands and they moved away. Two of them took charge of his horse.



The woman in the palanquin looked at Vandiyathevan. Two spear-points pierced his chest.

“Yes! I am the Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani,” she said. What intoxicating drug lined her throat? Why did his head spin at the sound of her voice?

“What did you say just now? You complained about something, the palanquin bearers?”

Could the softness of Kasi silk, the intoxication of liquor, the sweetness of wild honey and the blinding brilliance of monsoon lightning mingle in a girl's voice? They had, just now.

“Did you say they ran the palanquin into your horse?”

The mischief in her smile told him she appreciated the joke. Vandiyathevan grew a little daring.

“Yes, Maharani! They did. My horse was frightened!” he replied.

“You look shaken too. Ask the priest from the Durga temple to sweep you with neem branches. Your fear will vanish.”

But Vandiyathevan’s fear had evaporated completely by now. He was about to laugh.

The Pazhuvoor Rani's expression suddenly changed. Blazing anger replaced her Smile.

“You can joke later. Tell me the truth. Why did you run your horse into the palanquin?”

Vandiyathevan had to find a suitable reply. Fortunately, an answer was ready in his mind. In a voice so low that none could hear, he whispered, “Devil Nandini Devil Azhwarkadiyan, that is Thirumalayappan, asked me to meet you. That’s why I resorted to this trick. Please forgive me.”


He looked at her intently as he spoke, waiting eagerly to see the effect of his words.

It was like throwing a stone at a fruit tree. Would the fruit fall? Or the stone? Or would some unexpected disaster strike him?

The Pazhuvoor Rani raised her dark eyebrows. Surprise and doubt appeared in her eyes. She arrived at a decision at once.

“Right! It's not proper to stand and talk on the highway. Come to our palace tomorrow. You can tell me everything there.” Vandiyathevan's heart swelled with joy. It seemed as though he would succeed in his mission. But it was no use crossing three fourths of the well, he had to cover the remaining one- fourth too.

“Devi! Devi! I’ll not be allowed into the fort, nor into the palace. What shall I do?” he asked agitatedly.

The Pazhuvoor Rani opened a silk purse lying beside her and took out an ivory ring.

“If you show this, you’ll be allowed into the fort as well as into our palace,” she said, giving him the ring. Vandiyathevan took it eagerly. He looked for a moment at the palmyra insignia engraved on it. When he raised his head again to thank the Rani, the curtains were being closed.

Aha! The planet Rahu swallows the full moon bit by bit. But these curtains had swallowed the face of that eloquent moon in seconds!

“At least from now on don’t follow me. It’s dangerous. Stay here awhile and proceed with care,” said a silken voice from behind the curtain.

The palanquin moved on, with soldiers at its front and rear.


Vandiyathevan stood by the roadside, holding his horse. He noticed that one of the men, the one who had questioned him   turned back twice or thrice. This sent signals to his subconscious.

Yes. His conscious mind however, kept revolving around the beauty of the Pazhuvoor Rani. Was everything he'd just seen and heard real or an enchanting, illusory dream? Could such a beautiful form exist in this world?

The Puranas spoke of Ramba, Urvasi and Menaka whose beauty, he had heard, could disturb the penance of sages and renunciates. But in this world... perhaps the rumours that Periya Pazhuvettarayar lay enslaved at this Mohini's feet were true. It would not surprise him if they were. The hideous Pazhuvettarayar with his grey hair, and battle scarred body; the contrast between him and this gorgeous young woman!

What wouldn’t the old man do to snatch a smile from her?

Standing still for a long time, immersed in these thoughts, Vandiyathevan mounted his horse and rode in the direction of the Thanjavur fort.

The sun was setting as he reached the main gate. The city limits were well before the fort. There were rows of streets around the fort, filled with shops selling various articles and with people practising all kinds of professions. Buyers, sellers, horse-drawn chariots and bullock carts crowded the streets.


Vandiyathevan was eager to enter the streets and watch the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the new Chozha capital, but he felt he had no time for it now. He had to first accomplish his mission. He could watch the fun later.

Vandiyathevan approached the main entrance to the city with this thought in mind. The massive gates of the fort were closed. The gatekeepers were pushing the crowds to both sides of the road. Instead of going about their business, people also stood aside and seemed to be waiting as though


they were expecting an approaching procession. Men, women, children, Old people: everyone looked expectant.

The space in front of the gates was empty except for the gatekeepers. Though he was eager to know what the matter was, Vandiyathevan had no desire to confront the gatekeepers all alone and provoke an argument or a fight. For the moment, the task he had to do was more important than any display of valour. This was not the time to get into a scuffle.

So Vandiyathevan stood in a corner from where he could see the gates of the fort. He turned at the sudden fragrance of flowers and saw a young Saivite who bore the marks of his faith. Vandiyathevan took in the vibhuthi, the rudraksha mala and the baskets of flowers the young man carried.


“Thambi, why are all these people standing aside? Is a procession or something like that expected?” he asked the youngster.

“Ayya, you’re not from these parts?” “No, I belong to Thondaimandalam.”

“That’s why you ask that question! It will be better if you get down from your horse.”

Vandiyathevan dismounted, so that he could talk to the young man easily.

“Why did you ask me to get down, thambi”

“The Velakkara battalion will be leaving the fort now after their darshan of the Emperor. That's why the crowd is waiting here.”

“Isn’t it to watch the fun?” “Yes.”

“Then why can’t I watch seated on my horse?”

“You can. But it will be dangerous if the Velakkara battalion sees you.”

“What will happen? Will they take the horse away?”

“They’ll take both horse and rider away. They’re wicked people.”

“Will people let them get away with that?”

“What else can they do? The word of the Velakkara battalion is law in this city. There’s no one to question them. Even the Pazhuvettarayars don’t interfere where the Velakkara battalion is concerned.”


At that juncture, a commotion was heard inside the fort. The sound of trumpets, drums and pipes mingled with hundreds of voices hailing and cheering.

Vandiyathevan knew all about the Velakkara battalion. It was an important institution in old Tamilnadu, especially in the Chozha kingdom. The Velakkarars were bodyguards to the reigning kings, but with an important difference. They had taken an oath that they would give their lives to ensure that no harm came to the king. If, because of their carelessness or because of circumstances beyond their control, the king's life was endangered, they had sworn to cut off their heads and offer them to Durga. Naturally, warriors who had taken such a grim oath enjoyed privileges to which others were not entitled.

The gates clanged open.

Two horsemen led, holding a flag high in their right hands.

It was an unusual flag, with a tiger painted on the top and below it, a crown. Below the crown was a sacrificial altar, a severed head and a big sword. It was quite a frightening design.

Behind the horses came a bullock, with drums tied on both its sides, and a man beating each drum.

About fifty men followed, beating small and big drums and another fifty blowing curved horns.

Around a thousand soldiers came next, many of whom were shouting praises in thunderous voices.

“Long live Paranthaka Sundara Chozhar, the Emperor of the world!”

“May he live long!”


“Long live King Sundara Chozhar!” “May he live long!”

“Long live the King of Thanjavur!”

“May he live long!”

“Long live the Perumal who defeated Veerapandyan!” “May he live long!”

“Long live the conqueror of Madurai, Eezham and Thondaimandalam!”

“May he live long!”

“Long live the clan of Karikal Valavan!”

“Victory to Durga, Mahakali, Parathpari, Parasakthis” “Victory! Victory!”

“May the victorious tiger flag fly all over the world!”

“Victory! Victory!”

“Hail, our spears, the heroic vel! Veeravel!” “Hail, our spears, the victorious vel! Vetrivel”

As hundreds of throats roared these slogans, the sound that echoed from the walls made one’s hair stand on end. Many of those on the roadside joined the chorus. The uproar all around when the Velakkara (Readers may be aware that another name for the Tamil god Murugan is Velakkaran. The explanation given is that Murugan has vowed to protect His devotees.) battalion started to stream out of the fort lasted until they had gone down the street and were finally out of sight.


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Part 1-A New Floods Chapter 21 The Rustling Curtain || "Ponniyin Selvan" of Kalki Krishnamurthy Tamil Historic Novel about the Great King Raja Raja Cholan

 CHAPTER 21 The Rustling Curtain 

Is it possible to think of two different things at the same time? From his experience that day, Vandiyathevan felt that it was.

He was passing through the most fertile region in the Chozha country. It was the season when fresh water flowed through the channels, weirs and dams into the fields and canals.

Everywhere one looked, there was water. How appropriate, to call the Chozha country Valanadu, the land of plenty, and to call its king Valavan, “The Lord of Abundance.” This thought led him to remember the dangers that the Chozha king faced.

 He wondered what his duty was. Could he consider his duty done when he had delivered the scroll to the Emperor? Why did he have to involve himself in these internecine quarrels among the clansmen of the royal Chozhas? What did it matter to him who ascended the Chozha throne? Weren’t they actually his clan's ancestral foes? The Chozhas, the Gangas and the Vaidumbarayas had once joined forces to see that there was no trace left of his kingdom, Vanagappadi. Could Aditha Karikalar's present kindness to him wipe out all those acts of injustice? Che, che, how could such events be called injustices? It was only natural that kings fought one another, and that victory and defeat alternated. Was there any point in the vanquished being angry with the victors? When his ancestors had been in a favourable position, had they not terrorised their enemies? Had they not tried to annihilate them? Ballads had been composed about how they had vanquished their foes and planted their heads in the soil.

With armed men for fodder Wet with warm blood

Trod on by mighty elephants 

In such a field did Vanan 

That mighty King of Kings Plant the hapless heads 

Of the three kings 

Even his ancestors had perpetrated barbaric deeds like this on the battlefield. Those who lost in battle always suffered a terrible fate. Could all kings be embodiments of mercy like Rama and [27] Dharmaputhra, both of whom had to go to the forest and suffer? There should be no mercy in politics.

Coming to think of it, we can say that these, the members of the Chozha clan, are somewhat merciful. They try to make friends with their enemies whenever they can. They even forge new connections, marrying outside the clan! Didn’t Sundara Chozhar’s father Arinjayar marry the beautiful Vaidumbaraya princess, Kalyani? And wasn’t it because Sundara Chozhar was the son of Kalyani, renowned for her beauty, that he and his children were so good looking? Ah! Talking about beautiful women, he thought, reminds me of the woman from Kudandhai, the woman on the banks of the Arisilar. These thoughts did not come to him from nowhere, they had always lain in his subconscious.

And so, while Vandiyathevan's conscious mind enjoyed the natural beauty of the fertile Chozha country and dwelt on the confusion that prevailed in the state of affairs there, his subconscious was fully engaged in thoughts of that woman.

Both the thought processes now merged and fixed themselves on the woman. He began to compare everything beautiful in nature to her physical features. The bamboo brought her smooth shoulders to mind, the lilies in full bloom that grew in profusion in the brooks were like her eyes. He doubted whether the lotus could equal her golden face. Was it right to compare the hum of the bees that buzzed around the flowers on the riverside to her melodious voice? Poetry spoke of such things, but in reality, could her beauty be described in words? Even to look at her gave him gooseflesh. To think of her made his heart flutter. He did not feel the same way when he saw the flowers and the bees.

Che! Che! We've forgotten the advice our elders gave us, he thought. There is no maya, no illusion, more dangerous in life than being infatuated with a woman. No one who wants to succeed in life should fall into the net of infatuation. If he does, he is finished! Kovalan's story illustrated this fact admirably. And why only Kovalan’s? Wasn't it for the same reason that people talked so mockingly of Pazhuvettarayar, the great warrior of the Chozha country, whose authority was unequalled? But people did not know the truth. They did not know who Pazhuvettarayar was escorting in the covered palanquin. They therefore spoke foolishly. But Madurantaka Thevar should not have stooped to such depths. Chee! Chee! How could he go from town to town in a closed palanquin, pretending to be the Rani? Was this a manly thing to do? Must he earn a kingdom this way? And how would he protect a kingdom obtained this way? Would he not have to depend on Pazhuvettarayar and the others? Would he not have to conform to their wishes while he reigned? In this matter, not even what the Emperor Sundara Chozhar was doing was commendable. He should not have entrusted so much power or given such importance to people like Pazhuvettarayar especially when he had two such sterling sons and when he had a daughter whose intelligence was admired the world over.

The lady I saw in the josier's house, the one I talked to on the river bank — whom does she resemble? Could it be...?

Madness! It could never be. Why not? If it is, there's no one as stupid as me! And none more luckless! One whose fame had spread from Lanka to the Vindhyas, how could I have behaved towards her in such a boorish fashion? It’s not possible at all. How will I face her with the scroll the Prince sent?

Vandiyathevan neared Thiruvaiyaru and arrived at the southern bank thinking these thoughts that spun between the sky and the earth. Thiruvaiyaru was on the northern bank.

The fertility and beauty of the region captured his heart. He checked to make certain that it was Thiruvaiyaru. He felt that everything he had heard about the greatness of this wonderful kshetram, this sacred place, fell short of the truth. It was exactly like Gnanasambandhar's description in the thevaram. There had been no change in the last three hundred years. How huge the trees on the banks of the Kaveri were! Enormous jackfruits hung from the trees. Nothing like this could ever be seen in Thondaimandalam. Aha! Monkeys

 

somehow seem to gather in fertile places. It was so fascinating to watch them jump from branch to branch. What had Sambandhar said? I remember now! The girls dance in the street corners in Thiruvaiyaru and the drums beat in time to the music. When they hear the drums, the monkeys think it is the sound of thunder, clamber up the trees and gaze upwards, waiting for rain! Adada! How appropriate it is even today! The monkeys climb right up to the tops of the tall trees. Sweet strains of music float out from the town to the rhythms of the dance. Along with the sound of the yazh, the muzhavu, the thannumai, the flute and other instruments comes the tinkling of anklet-bells. These dancers are not like the ones who performed the kuravaikoothu at Sambuvaraiyar’s palace. Ah, this was melodious music: the sound of the anklet-bells of the Bharatnatyam dancers and the beat of the kol, the wooden stick the dance teachers use to keep time.

Justly famed is Thiruvaiyaru 

Bejewelled and beautiful 

The women dance 

To the beat of the kol.

On their faces, those half-open buds 

Their eyes move, like chel fish, 

And their brows arch like bows.

Aha! Sambandhar Swamigal was an ardent devotee of Siva and a great rasika. Thiruvaiyaru is just as he described. He must spend at least a day, thought Vandiyathevan, enjoy the dance and music and have a darshan of Ayyarappan and Aramvalarthanayaki. How many devotees were seated on the banks of the Kaveri, performing religious rituals! How good they looked, smeared with vibhuthi! Sometimes the chant of “Namasivaya” drowned the sounds of the music and dance. There, somebody was singing Sambandhar's thevaram beautifully. Thiruvaiyaru seemed to be a place God had created for music and art. I must stay here, he thought, at least for a day. What was the use of hurrying to Thanjavur? Would he be able to enter the fort? And if he did enter, would he be able to meet the Emperor? It was said that the two Pazhuvettarayars kept him there like a prisoner. Better to go to the north bank of the Kaveri.

No sooner did Vandiyathevan come to a decision to cross the river and continue his journey than something happened.

From the west, a palanquin came along the bank of the Kaveri, with guards at its front and rear. Suspicion stirred in Vandiyathevan’s mind. He waited until the palanquin was near him. Yes, he was right. The curtains covering the palanquin bore the palmyra insignia. Aha! This palanquin was certainly coming from Kadambur. While he had come through Kudandhai, they had obviously taken a different route. But there was no sign of Pazhuvettarayar. Perhaps he had stopped on the way.

The palanquin turned south towards Thanjavur. So that was it. Vandiyathevan abandoned his plan to halt at Thiruvaiyaru and decided to follow the palanquin. At that point, he did not know why he took this decision. All he knew for certain was that it was Madurantaka Thevar seated inside. His dislike for him increased. But he thought he might get lucky if he followed the palanquin for a while. The bearers might rest it on the ground. Prince Madurantakar might step out for some reason. He could then get to know him. It would help him gain entry into the Thanjavur fort and obtain an audience with the Emperor. Maybe he could talk his way into it. If he did not resort to some kind of chicanery, especially since this had to do with matters of state, he would not achieve what he had set out to do, would he?

 

Therefore, Vandiyathevan allowed the palanquin and its entourage to go ahead and followed it at a safe distance. But he did not get the opportunity he was waiting for. Even after they crossed the four rivers between the Kaveri and Thanjavur, the palanquin did not halt. The bearers went on without respite. Soon the ramparts and gates of the Thanjavur fort were within view. Once the palanquin entered the fort, his plan would not succeed. He had to do something drastic before that. After all, what could happen to him?

Would he lose his head? So what? What was the point of returning alive if he did not succeed in his mission?

Underneath all this was Vandiyathevan's anger against Madurantakar. His mind yearned and his fingers itched to rip apart the curtains of the palanquin, and expose, not a woman, but the grown man inside.

While he was trying hard to find a solution, one of the guards in the entourage slowed down and stared hard at Vandiyathevan.

“Who are you and why have you been following us from Thiruvaiyaru” he asked.

“I’m not following you, ayya! I’m going to Thanjavur. Doesn’t this road lead there?” asked Vandiyathevan.

“Yes, this road goes to Thanjavur. But only important dignitaries may use it. There’s another road for the others,” said the guard.

“Is that so? Well, I’m an important person too, Vandiyathevan.

The guard smiled and asked, “Why are you going to Thanjavur?”

“My chithappa is there. I hear he's ill, I’m going to visit him.”

“What does your chithappa do there? Is he working in the palace?”

 “No, no, he’s the custodian of the choultry.”

“Oho! Is that so? Then why don’t you go ahead of us? Why are you following us?”

“My horse is tired, that’s why. What satisfaction do you suppose I get from looking at your backside?”

While he talked, Vandiyathevan drew nearer the palanquin. The solution he had been racking his brains for suddenly came to him. He dug his feet into the horse's side, tugged its reins and drove it onto the bearers at the rear of the palanquin. They looked back, terrified. Vandiyathevan shouted, “Maharaja, maharaja! The palanquin bearers have rammed into my horse! Aiyo, Aiyo!”

The curtain covering the palanquin rustled.


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