The Curtains Parted

Can two minds function at the same time in one body? Yes
-- Vandiya Devan knew the answer because of his
experiences that day!
He was travelling through the most fertile of the bountiful
Chozla lands. It was the season of new floods in all the
rivers and streams. Fresh water rushed through canals,
conduits and waterways into the lush fields; water was
everywhere.
How appropriate, to call the Chozla land bounteous and its
monarch the king of bounty! Thoughts of the dangers
surrounding the Chozla monarch immediately followed.
What is my duty in this situation? Shall I keep quiet after
delivering the letters sent by Prince Karikala to the
Emperor and think that my duty is done? Why should I
interfere in this discord and hostility between royal
cousins? How does it concern me, whoever sits on the
Chozla throne? In some ways, if I think of it, these Chozlas
are my ancestral enemies. Did not the Chozlas, Gangas and
Vaithumbas join together to destroy the very existence of
my forefathers of the Vanakapadi Kingdom? Can I forget
all that injustice just because Prince Karikala befriends me
today?
No, no! -- How can I consider that old history as injustice?
It is natural that kings fight and oppose each other. Victory
and defeat are both natural. What is the use of the defeated
group resenting the victorious? When they were powerful,
weren't my forefathers ruthless towards the kings they
vanquished? Did they not try to completely destroy their
enemies? Ah! What was that poem ? I can remember a
poem about such activities of my clan:-
With countless armies made into leaf-mulch,
With the flowing red of battlefields stored for irrigation,
In a dirt field ploughed by the war elephant,
That Vaana, the best of kings on this earth,
He planted the heads of the three kings: his enemies.
My ancestors also committed such dreadful deeds in the
battlefield! The lot of those defeated in battle is
lamentable. Can all kings be merciful like Rama and
Dharma of the epics? Because of their merciful nature they
were driven to the forests to suffer! Those epic heros
suffered even though they were brave and were befriended
by gallant men. There should be no mercy shown in
matters of politics! If one thinks about it, we should
consider these Chozlas as being more tolerant and merciful
than any other such monarchs. If possible, they make
friends with their enemies. Didn't King Arinjaya marry the
Vaithumba Princess? Isn't it because of that famous
beauty, the Princess Kalyani, that Sundara Chozla and his
children are so handsome? Ah! ... when I think of beauty,
the face of that maiden of Kudanthai, that lady on the
banks of River Arisil, comes to my mind! She is not
coming into my mind suddenly from somewhere ... her
presence has been lurking in my heart all this while...
While his outer mind considered the complications of
Chozla politics and enjoyed the beauties of Chozla land,
his inner mind dwelt upon that maiden. Now the inner
mind and outer mind began to consider the same object,
frankly. He began to compare any beautiful sight to her
enchanting personality. He recalled her lovely shoulders
when he saw the grace of slender bamboos swaying in the
breeze. The profuse blooms of creek-side water lilies were
example of her dark eyes. He doubted if the lovely lotus
could equal her golden face. Can he liken the sweet
melody of bees humming in flower groves to her pleasing
voice?
Poets can imagine such nonsense -- how can they be
reality? How beautiful she was! The very memory of her
face makes my heart beat faster! I am not enthralled like
that by these flowers and bees. Oh! Oh! I have forgotten
all the advice given by my elders! There is nothing more
impermanent in this world than the allure of women.
Those who wish to succeed in life should never be enticed
by the charm of women. If one falls prey to their
enchantment it is the end! The story of Kovalan is a good
example of that -- Why think of Kovalan? Look at Lord
Pazluvoor! That most powerful personage, the bravest of
soldiers -- aren't people making fun of him because of such
a predicament? -- but the people do not know the truth! No one knows about who travels in the closed palanquin with
Lord Pazluvoor. They talk in ignorance. Still, Prince
Madurandaka need not demean himself in that fashion.
Why should he hide in a closed palanquin under the guise
of Lord Pazluvoor's queen, and go from town to town? Is
this commendable in any man? Should he acquire his
kingdom in this manner? Can he safeguard his gains
obtained in this fashion? He will have to trust Lord
Pazluvoor and his cronies and rule dominated by their
power. On that issue -- what Sundara Chozla does is also
not commendable; he should not have given such
prerogatives and powers to persons like the Lords of
Pazluvoor. That too when he has two such capable,
exquisite sons. And when he has a daughter whose
intelligence and skill is praised by the whole nation...
That maiden -- whom I saw at the astrologer's house and
met on the banks of the river -- whom does she resemble?
... Could it be possible? -- absolute foolishness! It can
never be so! But, why not? If it is so, there is none more
ill-fated than me. How did I behave?-- so uncivilized --
towards a lady admired by one and all from the Vindhya
Mountains to Lanka Island. It is not possible... How can I
face her tomorrow when I deliver the Prince's letters?
With such disconnected thoughts crowding his mind,
Vandiya Devan came along the Cauvery to reach the town
of Thiru-vai-aru. He stood on the southern banks of the
Cauvery, looking across the river to see the town on the
northern bank. The fertility and beauty of that country
overpowered his heart. He asked a passerby and confirmed
that it was indeed Thiru-vai-aru. All that he had heard
about that place seemed to be paltry compared to reality.
The description of that town by Gnana-sambanda in his
Thevaram poems could be recognized in the actuality.
There was no change in three hundred years.
Look at those luscious groves of trees on the Cauvery
bank. How big are the fruits hanging from the trunk and
branches of the jack-tree! There is nothing like this in the
dry Thondai region! Look at those monkeys gathered in
these fertile lands. How delightful to see them jump from
tree to tree! I remember the descriptions in Gnanasambanda's
poems:
Maidens dance on the stages set in the street-corners of
Thiru-vai-aru. Song and music accompany that dance with
melodious drumbeats; Monkeys hearing those drums
(mattalam) think that the skies are thundering with an
approaching storm: they climb to the top of palm trees and
look up at the skies waiting for the rains!
How appropriate that description is even now? Look at
those long-tailed monkeys scampering among tree-tops. I
can hear the sounds of music and dance from the town!
Along with the melody of the veena, flute and other such
instruments, I can hear the sounds of dancing feet and
ankle bells! The dancers here are not frenzied like the
gypsy dancers of Kadamboor. This is classical dance --decorous Bharata Natyam in full dignity. The music is
from established classical culture. I can even hear the taptap
of dance teachers beating time as their students
practice!
Teachers keep time, while beguiling damsels dance;
Poets speak enchanting verse, making every sculpted stone come alive;
Such accomplished people stroll in the streets of Thiru-vai-aru.
Aha! Gnana-sambanda was a good devotee of Shiva but,
more than that he was an connoisseur of the arts! This
town is exactly as he described it! I must stay in this town
at least for tonight and enjoy this music and dance and I
must worship at the shrines of the Lord of the five-rivers
and the Lady who nurtured justice. Look at all those
devotees at prayers on the banks of the Cauvery. How
elegant they look with their foreheads adorned with broad
ashen marks! Their chants of "Namasivaya" drown the
sounds of the music and dance. Look, someone is singing
the Thevaram songs so exquisitely. This town seems to be
created by the Gods just for music and song! I must stay
here tonight. What is the use of hurrying to Tanjore? I
don't know if I can even enter the fort? Even if I manage to
go in, will I be able to meet the Emperor? The two Lords
of Pazluvoor are said to guard the Emperor as if in prison
... Let me cross the Cauvery and go north.
When Vandiya Devan came to this conclusion, something
happened. A palanquin was approaching along the
Cauvery from the west. Footmen and guards walked in
front and behind the palanquin. A suspicion crossed
Vandiya Devan's mind. He waited at the same spot till the
palanquin came nearer. His surmise was correct. He could
see the sign of the palmtree emblazoned upon the outer
screens of the covered palanquin.
Yes! This palanquin must be coming from Kadamboor!
They must have come by some other route, while I came
through Kudanthai. But, there is no sign of Lord
Pazluvoor! Maybe he is delayed somewhere on the way.
The palanquin turned south on to the Tanjore road. That
decided it -- Vandiya Devan abandoned the idea of
tarrying at Thiru-vai-aru. He decided to follow that
palanquin. Why did he decide to do so? Even he did not
know at that time! He was sure that Prince Madurandaka
was seated inside the palanquin. His feelings of disgust
about the Prince increased. Still, he might find some good
opportunity if he followed the palanquin. The bearers
might put down the palanquin or the Prince might emerge
for some reason or other. He could make his acquaintance
and it might help him in entering the fort at Tanjore and
meeting the Emperor.
I must speak and put up a pretense suitable to achieve my
goal. If I don't use such strategy and conniving I cannot
complete my assigned task; particularly in such political
matters.
Therefore, he let the palanquin and its guards go ahead and
then followed them at a little distance. But no expected
opportunity arose. They had already crossed the remaining
four rivers between Thiru-vai-aru and Tanjore. The
palanquin was not put down. The bearers walked steadily.
He could soon see the ramparts and gates of the outer fort
of Tanjore in the distance. Once the palanquin enters the
fort, nothing can be done. He must do something bold and
fearless.
What can happen? Will they chop off my head? It's alright
if they do so -- there is no point going back with my life if
I am unable to complete my assigned task. As a basis for
all this thought, Vandiya Devan had a certain anger and
disgust about the prince in the palanquin. His hands itched
to tear apart the curtains of the palanquin and expose the
fact that the person inside was not a woman but a full
grown man! His heart was agitated!
While he was considering various options to execute his
intentions, one of the men in the retinue of the palanquin
hesitated. He stared at Vandiya Devan seated on his horse.
"Who are you Sir? You have been following us from
Thiru-vai-aru?" he asked.
"I am not following you Sir! I am going to Tanjore.
Doesn't this road lead to Tanjore?"
"Yes. This is the road to Tanjore; but, only important
persons can use this road. There is another road for
commoners," said that man.
"Is that so? I too am quite an important person!" said
Vallavarayan Vandiya Devan.
The man smiled upon hearing this, "Why are you going to
Tanjore?" he asked.
"My uncle lives in Tanjore. I heard that he was not keeping
good health and am going to visit him."
"What does you uncle do in Tanjore? Is he in service at the
Palace?"
"Oh, no! He is an inn-keeper."
"Ah! Is that so! Then, why don't you go before us? Why do
you follow us?"
"My horse is tired Sir. That's why. Otherwise what
pleasure do I have, to see your backsides?"
In the course of this conversation, Vandiya Devan came
very close to the palanquin. An idea had occurred to him.
He pulled in the reins, pressed both his legs against its
flanks and pushed his horse towards the bearers carrying
the end poles of the palanquin. They turned in fear and
surprise.
Vandiya Devan immediately started shouting "Oh King,
My Lord! My Sire! Your bearers are pushing against my
horse! Help! Help! Oh dear!"
The screens shook and parted.