There
were many islands dotting the landscape of Rameshwaram. Prime Minister Anirudha
Brahmarayar was staying in one of these islands in an ornate mandapam along
with his entourage. Royal scribes, bodyguards, soldiers and palanquin bearers
stood at their stations, while the Prime Minister got down from the boat and
walked up to the mandapam to listen to the petitions of many of those who had
come to meet him.
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| Anirudha Brahmarayar |
Five
people came forward to meet him. They looked prosperous and rich and came
bearing a plate that held a navarathna
(nine precious gems) haram (long
chain). Offering the plate respectfully to the Prime Minister they bowed low
and offered salutations. Anirudhar took their gift and gave it to his master of
coins and said, “Keep this aside for Sembiyan Madevi’s temple renovation.”
He
looked at his visitors and asked, “Please introduce yourself,”
“We
represent the Nanadesai Tisaiyayirattu Ainnutruvar (a popular merchant guild),”
“Good.
Is your business prospering in Pandiya Kingdom?”
“Yes
indeed. Our business is expanding in Pandiya Kingdom.”
“What
do people in Pandiya Kingdom talk about?”
“Most
are of the opinion that Chola reign is better than that of the Pandiyas. Many
ardently admire Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar’s generosity and bravery. The Prince’s
brave exploits in Elangai are known even in Pandiya Kingdom…”
“What’s
the state of business across the sea in the island kingdoms?”
“Business
is flourishing thanks to the peaceful reign of King Sundara Chola. All our
merchant ships returned with precious goods and merchandise,”
“Did
you ships face any trouble with the sea pirates?”
“We
haven’t faced any trouble in the past year, not since our Chola Navy destroyed
the pirates who were looting merchants in the manka vaar theevu (Malay Peninsula).”
“Very
good. What arrangements have you made regarding the message that I had sent to
you?”
“We
have followed your orders. We have brought thousand sacks of rice, five hundred
sacks of corn and hundred sacks of pulses along with us to Rameshwaram. Please
make arrangements to send it to Elangai.”
“Can
you send it to Elangai in your ship?”
“Yes.
We can send it. Can you tell us when the war in Elangai will end?”
“Ah!
Now how can I predict that? You merchants have an official astrologer in you
guild don’t you? What does he say?”
“Brahma
Rajarey! We are finding it difficult to believe our astrologer’s predictions…”
“Why?
What does he say?”
“He
says that there will be victory wherever Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar goes. He says that under his reign, Chola navy will
capture all the island kingdoms beyond our seas. He says that our flag will fly
high over many kingdoms…”
“If
that is so, then your fortunes would rise surely…”
“That’s
true. He has assured us that our business with the island kingdoms will
flourish…”
“Very
good. With the blessings of Shri Ranganathar, may his predictions come true…
Until the war goes on in Elangai, you will need to send food supplies once a
month. You may leave now.”
After
the merchants left, a soldier announced, “Commanders of Therinja Kaikolla Padai
are waiting for an audience,”
“Ask
them to come.”
Three
men bearing arms, armour and long swords approached the Prime Minister. Tall,
broad chested and gaunt, they had a commanding presence that proclaimed their
vocation. (Today the Kaikola community is involved in making handloom products
but during the medieval Chola Period they were an elite army that was formed to
protect the merchants. A selected handful of soldiers and commanders from this army
would become the elitist bodyguards of the King. This handful of soldiers were
called Therinja Kaikola Padai. This unit of soldiers normally took on the name
of the ruling king.)
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| Therinjakaikola Padai |
Anirudhar
looked at the men in front of him and said, “You are the commanders of Sundara
Chola Therinja Kaikola Padai?”
“That’s
right Prime Minister. But we are ashamed to call ourselves thus.”
“Why
is that?”
“We
have been whiling away our time idly here, we are afraid that we might forget how
to fight.”
“How
many regiments are there in your army? How many soldiers?”
“There
are three regiments in our army. We each of us are commanders of these
regiments. Each regiment has 2000 soldiers lazing around on ample food.”
“What
is it that you wish?”
“We
wish to be sent to Elangai. We wish to join Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar and fight
along with him,”
“Alright.
When I go to Thanjavur, I will petition your appeal to the king.”
“Brahmarajare!
What if the war in Elangai comes to a conclusion before that?”
“You
don’t have to worry about that. The war in Elangai is unlikely to end so fast,”
“Is
that so? Are the Elangai soldiers so proficient in the art of war? Please send
us there, we will win it soon,”
“I
have no doubt about it. The bravery of Therija Kaikola Padai is legendary. Your
war tactics and brave deeds are worthy enough for poetry and songs.”
“Yes. The brave deeds of our soldiers is indeed worth a song. Thanks to
them, we were able to vanquish the Pandyas and the Cheras…”
“The
Pandiya and Chera army came out in the battlefield to fight with us. It was
easy to battle them as they were there in plain sight. But in Elangai, the
situation is different. How would you fight an army that you cannot see?”
“Are
you saying that the Elangai soldiers have learnt magic tricks? Do they belong
to the era of Ramyana to vanish in thin air? Do they fight with us from magic
chariots that can ride the sky?”
“They
have vanished. And the war has come to a stand still right now because our army
needs to find their hideout to fight. Elangai King Mahindan has also gone
missing. Our soldiers in Elangai haven’t fought any battles in these six months,
as they are busy searching for Mahindan and his army. What’s the point in
sending your army there? You would sit idle there too.”
“Maha
Mandiri! Please send us there. We will find Mahindan and his army even if they
have hidden themselves within the bowels of earth. If we fail, we will name our
army as ‘Vellar’s slave army’…”
“Please
don’t resort to such drastic measures. Everybody knows about the valorous deeds
of your army. When I reach Thanjavur, I will consult with Chakravarthi about
your request and send you a message. Please be patient until then. In the
meanwhile, your army can help to restore peace and order in the Pandiya
Kingdom…”
“Maha
Mandiri! There is no uprising or rebellion happening in Pandiya Kingdom. The
people are happy about the peace that we established and are busy rebuilding
their life. The royal line of Pandiya Kings has been destroyed…”
“Ah!
That’s wrong. There are still many out there who would claim the Pandiya throne
and they would try to regain their right through force…”
“Who
are they? Where are they? We will take care of them immediately…”
“You
will know about them very soon. The dead Pandiya king, Veera Pandiyan has
hidden his valuable ancient golden crown, diamond studded sword and the precious
gemstone haram that gifted to his ancestors by God Indra somewhere in the
Rohana Mountain in Elangai. Until we find these treasures, the Pandiya war is
far from over…”
“True.
We need to retrieve these treasures and we need to crown Prince Arul Mozhi
Varmar with the golden crown of the Pandiyas…”
“What?
Why do you say that?”
“We
have merely expressed the wishes of everybody in this kingdom…”
“Be
that as it may but let us not discuss successional matters here. I have another
news that would please you people…”
“Yes
Maha Mandiri…”
“Once
Elangai is totally under Chola sovereignty, Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar is planning
a battle campaign to capture Island Kingdoms that lay beyond Elangai. He is
also planning an expedition towards Vengai, Kalingam and towards the northern
kingdoms. He wants to follow on the footsteps of his ancestor Karikala Vallavan
and hoist the tiger flag in Himalayas. Brave Commanders! Our Prince will soon
undertake these expeditions and when he does, he will need brave soldiers and
astute commanders like you to accompany him. Please advice your soldiers to be
patient until then…”
Delighted
by the future plans of Arul Mozhi Varmar, the commanders, shouted themselves
hoarse, “Long Live Sundara Cholar! Long live Arul Mozhi Varmar! Long live Maha
Mandiri!”
“Maha
Mandiri! We have just one more petition! You do know that the name of our army
is ‘Sundara Chola Therinjakaikola Padai,”
“Yes.
I know,”
“We
have taken a sacred oath to fight and die in the service of Chakravarthi
Sundara Chola…”
“I
know that too…”
“Our
loyalty binds us to the King and we will not join anybody else nor will we
listen to anybody else...”
“That’s
exactly what I would expect from you…”
“We
were once a part of Pazhuvetrayar’s army. We do not wish to be suspected unduly
because of that…”
“Why
do you say that? Now who would suspect you?”
“We
have heard many alarming rumours from Thanjavur…”
“They
are mere rumours. I request you not to believe in any of them or repeat them
elsewhere.”
“We
are worried that Kodumbalur Vellar’s supporters and followers might create such
suspicion about us…”
“They
will not. Even if they do, no one will believe them…”
“There
is nothing certain in this world… human life is futile.”
“May
the Chakravarthi live a long life…”
“But
he has been unwell for some time now,”
“There
is a comet seen in the sky…”
“If
something untoward happens to the Chakravarthi, our army wishes to swear a holy
oath to serve Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar,”
“It
is your duty to follow the commands of your King.”
“Then
please petition to the King on our behalf or else grant us permission to meet
the Chakravarthi in person.”
“No.
I do not think it would be wise for you to go to Thanjavur. It will give rise
to unnecessary conflicts and confusion. I will place your petition before the
King and let him decide. I will let you know his decision soon. You have my
permission to take leave…”
After
the commanders left his presence, the Prime Minister murmured, “Aha! What is
this magnetic attraction that people have for the Prince? Many seem to fall
under his spell after meeting him once.”
Later,
he called aloud and said, “Bring that fat Vaishnavan here. I wish to speak to
him.”
