"Our Guest"

After the poets had departed, the palace doctor mixed a
medicinal potion and brought it to the Emperor.
Malayaman's daughter, the Queen Consort received the
goblet in her hands and gave it to her lord the Emperor.
The Younger Lord Pazluvoor, who waited patiently till the
Emperor had finished, did not let go of his vise like grip on
Vandiya Devan's hand. The Commander dragged him
closer to the Emperor's bed. "My Lord! Do you see any
improvement after this new medicine?" he asked.
"The doctor says that there is some benefit and Devi also
believes it. But somehow, I do not feel any hope.
Commander, I feel that all this is wasted effort! My fate
beckons me. Yama, the Lord of Death must have gone to
Pazlayarai in search of me. When he knows that I am not
there he will arrive here in search of me..."
"My Lord! You should not talk in this depressed fashion.
You should not distress our hearts like this. The ancestors
of your clan ..."
"Ah! You are about to say that my forefathers were not
afraid of death! If I too am fortunate like the forefathers of
my clan, to go into the forefront of a battlefield and give
up my life, I shall not fear such death. Nor will I despair. I
shall welcome death with enthusiasm. My elder uncle
Raja-aditya fought in the battle field at Takkolam from
atop an elephant and lost his life while fighting. He
established the fame of Chozla bravery for ever in that
battle of Takkolam. He became famous as the `Lord who
reposed atop an elephant.' What fame will I acquire? Will I
come to be known as `Sundara Chozla who reposed atop
his sickbed'? My other elder uncle, Gandara Aditya was
involved in his devotions and had overcome the fear of
death. He travelled to the nations on the western ocean on
pilgrimage and died on the seashore. He is known as `The
Lord who reposed in the west.' I am not devout like him;
nor am I capable of embarking on a pilgrimage like him.
How long can I lie upon my bed like this? A burden to all those near and dear ... But something tells me in my heart,
I shall not remain on this delightful earth much longer..."
"My Majesty! The palace doctor says that there is no
danger to your life. The astrologers also say that there is no
danger. But this youngster talked to you about some
danger ..."
"Ah! Isn't he the young man who came from Kanchi City?
Yes, he was saying about some danger about something.
What were you saying Thambi? Were you talking about
my situation?" asked the Emperor.
Vandiya Devan's mind worked at lightning speed. If I own
up to having warned about danger, suspicions about me
will rise and I will surely be in danger. I must escape from
this plight. Good, let me try one tactic. Let me secure the
help of grammar and prosody to turn a mountain into a
molehill!
"My Majesty! Who am I to warn about danger! What
danger can approach you when you have the brave
Commander, Lord Pazluvoor, the palace doctor and the
Empress who looks like the Divine Savitri (mythical queen
who saved her husband from the Lord of Death) next to
you? I petitioned to you as a stranger -- a stranger! I, an
ignorant, lone youth, I alone am left to represent the
ancient clan of Vaanars. I have been serving the Chozla
Empire to the satisfaction of your elder son the Crown
Prince. I beg your grace to return to me at least one tiny
portion of the lands of my ancient kingdom. I am a
stranger! This stranger seeks the protection of you the
King of Kings!" Vallavarayan spoke quickly without any
hesitation.
The Commander who heard his words, frowned. Sundara
Chozla's face brightened once again. Kindness filled the
face of the Empress.
"As soon as he was born, Saraswati, the Goddess of
Learning, must have written on this boy's tongue. His
command over words is quite remarkable!" said the
Empress.
Making use of the opportunity, Vandiya Devan turned
towards her and said, "Thaye! I Beg your grace to put in a
word on my behalf! I am an orphan without mother or
father. I have no other patron or sponsor. I myself have to
petition on my behalf. Just like the Goddesses Lakshmi
and Parvathi speak to their Lords Vishnu and Shiva on
behalf of devotees, I beseech you to speak on my cause. I
beg to be given back at least ten villages of my ancient
kingdom. I shall be very satisfied with that."
Sundara Chozla was filled with surprise and happiness as
he heard these words. The Emperor called his Commander
and said, "Commander, I am becoming very fond of this
youth! Look at Devi's face: she seems ready to adopt him
as her third son! Why not fulfil his petition? There should
be no problem about that? What is your opinion?"
"What place does my opinion have in this matter! Should
we not consult the opinion of Prince Karikala?" asked the
Commander of Tanjore.
"Your Majesty! If I ask the Prince he says that he has to
consult Lord Pazluvoor! Lord Pazluvoor says that he has to
ask the Crown Prince. Between the two of them my
petition ..."
"Young man, don't worry. We shall ask them both at the
same time," said the Emperor.
He then said, "Commander, this youth has brought a letter
from the Prince. About my going to Kanchi. Like before,
Aditya wants me to come to Kanchi. Aditya writes that he
has built a new Golden Palace there. He wants me to go
over there and live in it at least for some time."
"We shall act according to thy wishes," said the
Commander.
"Ah! You will act according to my wishes! But my legs
refuse. It is impossible to journey to Kanchi. The very
thought of travelling in palanquins with drawn screens,
like women of the palace, disgusts me. We must write a
reply asking Aditya Karikala to come here ..."
"Is it advisable to ask the Prince to leave Kanchi at this
time to come here? Our enemies in the north continue to be
strong!"
"Parthiban and Malayaman can stay back and take care of
that. Something in my heart tells me that I must have the
Prince here beside me. And that is not enough; we must
send a message to the younger Prince who has gone to
Lanka -- ask him to come back here immediately. I wish to
consult both of them and come to a conclusion about an
important matter. When Arulmozli is here we can talk to
him about your objection in sending rice and foodstuffs to
the Lankan campaign."
"Your Majesty! Forgive me! I do not object to sending
foodstuffs to Lanka. Neither does the Officer of Resources
& Food Supply object. The citizens and countrymen of the
Chozla nation object to it. The last harvest in our country
was poor. When supplies are limited to meet our needs,
people object to sending shiploads of foodgrains to Lanka.
Now they murmur and complain in words. After a while
their complaints will become louder. Their shouts will be
heard even inside this palace, disturbing your health!"
"Arulmozli will never wish to undertake anything to which
the people and citizens object. Anyway considering
everything it is best if he comes here at once. After the
Elder Lord Pazluvoor returns we shall decide about
sending a messenger to Lanka. When is he coming back?"
"He will definitely return by tonight."
"We can write the letter to Kanchi also tomorrow. Can we
send this young man back with that letter?"
"This youngster seems to have journeyed from Kanchi
without any rest or stop. Let him stay here and relax for a
few days before he returns. We can send the letter with
some other messenger."
"Do that. Perhaps he can remain here itself till Karikala
arrives."
At this point Malayaman's daughter stood up. The
Commander spoke up, "I have spoken for a long time and
disturbed you today. Please forgive me for extending this
interview till being warned by My Lady!"
The Empress spoke, "Commander, this youth is our guest.
Make all arrangements for his comfort. If the Emperor had
been keeping good health we could have accommodated
him in this palace itself."
"I shall take care of that, My Lady! You need not concern
yourself about it. I shall take care of him very well!" spoke
the Younger Lord Pazluvoor. The fingers of one hand
twirled his thick moustache as he spoke these words.