Who Is In The Palanquin?

For a while, the men in that meeting talked and argued
amongst themselves. Since several voices were raised at
the same time, Vandiya Devan could not hear anything
clearly.
In a louder voice, Lord Sambuvaraya said, "Don't we have
to answer the requests of the King of Pazluvoor? What is
the point of each one talking like this? It seems to be hours
past midnight. Look at the moon!"
"I have a certain doubt. Some others also, like me, may
have a similar reservation. If Lord Pazluvoor promises not
to be angry, I would like to ask about it," said a hoarse
voice which had spoken once before.
"Is it Vanangamudi Raya, who is talking? Please, let him
come forward into the light," said Lord Pazluvoor.
"Yes, it is me! Here, I have come up into the light."
"It is customary for me to show all my anger in the
battlefield and against my enemies. I have no anger against
friends. Therefore, please ask any question without any
hesitation."
"I will surely do so. The allegations against Emperor
Sundara Chozla, those very same accusations are placed
against Lord Pazluvoor by some people! I may not believe
them, but I would like some clarification," said
Vanangamudi Munai Raya.
"What are they? What charges? Please explain."
"We all know that Lord Pazluvoor married a young girl
about two years ago..."
With an angry voice, Lord Sambuvaraya interrupted: "We
object to such words by Munai Raya. It is totally
indecorous to ask such improper questions of our beloved
leader, our chief guest."
"I request Lord Sambuvaraya to please remain patient. Let
Munai Raya express his reservations freely. It is better to
voice one's opinions in the open than bury them in the
mind. It is true that I married a young girl after my fiftyfifth
year. I certainly accept that. But, I never declared
myself as a reincarnation of Lord Rama who vowed to
have only one wife! I never said that I will wed only one
maid. I love that girl; she returned my sentiment.
According to the ancient tenets of this Tamil country,
willingly, we married each other. What is wrong in that?"
asked Lord Pazluvoor.
"Nothing wrong!" replied several voices.
"I never said there was anything wrong about his marriage.
Who amongst us is monogamous? But ... but ..."
"But what? Ask without reluctance."
"Some people say that in all matters Lord Pazluvoor
consults and acts according to the wishes of the Young-
Queen he married recently. They say that he acts according
to her direction even in matters of the state. It is said that
he takes his Young-Queen along wherever he goes."
A laugh was heard in their midst.
Lord Sambuvaraya jumped up. "Who laughed? Let him
come forward and explain why he laughed!" he roared
while drawing his sword from its scabbard.
"I laughed! Don't be agitated Sambuvaraya!" said Lord
Pazluvoor. He then continued, "Munai Raya! Is it a crime
to take my legally wedded wife wherever I go? It is true
that I take her with me to visit several places. But it is
inaccurate to say that I consider the Young-Queen's
opinion in matters of the state. I have never done that."
"If so, I request Lord Pazluvoor to clear just one more
doubt. Why has this palanquin, which should have stayed
in the women's courtyard, come here to our confidential
meeting? Is there someone inside the closed palanquin or
not? If there is no one inside, how is it that I heard
somebody clearing their throat? Was it the jingle of
bangles that I heard inside, a little while ago?"
When Munai Raya asked these questions, a curious silence
prevailed amidst that gathering. Since these doubts had
occurred to most of them, none spoke against the words of
Munai Raya. Lord Sambuvaraya was muttering something
to himself. But nothing was said.
Tearing the silence apart, in a distinct voice, Lord
Pazluvoor said, "Good question. I am obligated to give an
answer. I shall clear your misgivings before we conclude
our meeting. Can you wait another half an hour? Do you
have that much trust in me?"
"Yes we do. We have complete trust in you, Lord
Pazluvoor," said Sambuvaraya.
"Let no one think that my reverence or loyalty to Lord
Pazluvoor is less than that of anyone else. Since he invited
us to speak freely, I asked. Apart from that I am ready to
obey all his orders. I shall give up my very life if he
commands it!" said Vanangamudi Munai Raya.
"I know about Munai Raya. I also recognize the trust you
have all placed in me. Therefore, let us now come to a
conclusion about the matter for which we convened this
meeting. Let Emperor Sundara Chozla Paranthaka live
long in this world and rule this Chozla Empire for a long
time. However, unfortunately, if something happens to
him: if the words of the palace doctors' come true, if the omens forecast by the comet appearing in the sky come
true -- we have to decide who is eligible to succeed to the
Chozla throne."
"We request that you state your opinion on this matter.
There is no one here who has anything to say against your
views."
"That is not correct. Each one of you must think and then
express an impartial opinion. Permit me to recall some old
history to your memories. Twenty-four years ago, King
Gandara Aditya who was a great philosopher and devout
soul, died unexpectedly. When he died, his son,
Madurandaka, was a one year old child. The Queenconsort
of Gandara Aditya, the Lady Sembiyan Madevi,
announced to us, the wishes of the King: his younger
brother Arinjaya was to accept the Chozla throne after
him. Therefore, we crowned Prince Arinjaya as the Chozla
monarch. However, fate did not decree that Arinjaya
should sit on the throne for more than a year. When
Arinjaya died, his son, Paranthaka Sundara Chozla, was a
youth of twenty-four. Considering the welfare of the
nation, all of us -- the ministers, advisors, territorial
chieftains the heads of all the clans and leaders of the cities
and districts -- decided unanimously, and crowned Sundara
Chozla. None of us had cause to regret this. Because, until
two years ago, he ruled the nation with justice; he
respected our wishes and opinions and ruled this country
lawfully. Because of him the Chozla power grew to
include all neighboring nations under its sway.
"Now, the health of Sundara Chozla is cause for concern.
In this situation, who is eligible to succeed the Emperor?
Madurandaka, the cherished son of King Gandara Aditya,
is now grown up; he has the intelligence, education, the
character, the devotion to God, all the qualities of a person
worthy of the throne. Sundara Chozla's son, Aditya
Karikala, who is younger to him by one year, is stationed
in Kanchi as a Commander-in-Chief. Who between these
two has the right to succeed to the throne? What is the
code of inheritance among the clans? What is the law?
What is the ancient tradition of the Tamils? Is it justice if
the elder brother's son, Madurandaka inherits the nation?
Or, is it legal for the grand-son of the younger brother to
succeed? Each of you must consider this and clearly state
your decision."
"Madurandaka, the son of the elder brother Gandara
Aditya has the right to succeed. That is legal, justice,
tradition," said Lord Sambuvaraya.
"I agree", "That is my opinion too," so rose several voices.
"Your convictions are mine. Madurandaka deserves the
throne. However, is everyone here ready to support and
further this belief? Are you all ready to sacrifice your lives,
your wealth and very soul for this cause? This very minute,
are you all ready to swear in the name of Goddess Durga
and take an oath of allegiance?" When Lord Pazluvoor asked this question his voice had a certain harshness, not
heard till then.
Silence prevailed for some time. Lord Sambuvaraya then
said, "We are ready to take such an oath of support.
Before that, we need one clarification. What are the
feelings of Prince Madurandaka? Is he ready to accept the
throne and rule this Empire? We have heard that the
cherished son of Gandara Aditya has forsaken the
pleasures of worldly life and is fully involved in the
devotion and worship of God Shiva. Several persons have
said that he has no interest in worldly kingdoms. We have
also heard that his mother, the Elder Pirati Sembiyan
Madevi is totally opposed to his ascending the throne. We
wish to know the truth about this from you."
"A good point and you raised it at the correct time. I must
clarify this question. I should have explained earlier --
forgive me for not doing so," with this long introduction
Lord Pazluvoor spoke as follows: "The whole nation
knows that the Lady Sembiyan Madevi discouraged her
only son from having any interest in affairs of the state and
raised him as a Saiva ascetic. But, neither nation nor
people know the reason behind such behavior. The Elder
Pirati feared that his very life would be in danger if her son
Madurandaka had any wish to rule the empire ... "
"Aha! Is that so!"
"Yes! To any mother, the wish that the son to whom she
gave birth should stay well and alive is greater than a
desire that he should sit upon the throne of the Kingdom.
Young Prince Madurandaka, who considered the words of
his mother as gospel, turned his mind in the path of
devotion and asceticism. Nevertheless, for sometime, his
mind has slowly undergone some transformation. `This
Chozla Empire is mine; it is my duty to rule the nation!'
such thoughts have taken root and grown in his heart. If he
knows that all of you are ready to support his cause, he is
ready to come forward at a suitable time and openly
declare his intentions."
"What proof do we have for this?"
"I will, without delay, produce proof that will satisfy all of
you. If I furnish such proof, will each of you take an oath
of allegiance to this cause?"
Several of the men said "We will! We will!"
"I hope no one has any other kind of reservation?"
"No! None!"
"Then, I shall show proof. I shall also clear the doubts
raised by Lord Vananga-mudi Munai Raya." With this
declaration, Lord Pazluvoor rose from his seat. Walking
majestically, he neared the closed palanquin.
"Prince! Please part the curtains and grace the outside with
your appearance. Permit these brave warriors, who are
ready to sacrifice their very life, wealth and soul for you,
to gaze upon your face." Lord Pazluvoor spoke in a very
deferential voice.
Vandiya Devan, who was sitting behind the pillar on the
upper terrace and listening to all these discussions with an
overpowering curiosity, now peeped down carefully. As
before, a hand parted the curtains of the palanquin. It too
was a golden hand. It seemed to be the very same fair hand
he had seen once before. But he now realized that he had
surmised the golden bracelet worn by royalty to be a
bangle. A dazzling face, comparable to the full moon,
could be seen the very next instant. A handsome figure,
comparable to Manmatha, the God of Love, stepped out of
the palanquin and smiled.
Aha! Is this Prince Madurandaka, son of Gandara Aditya
Deva? I mistook him to be a woman? I concluded that it
must be a girl, because of the closed palanquin!? But, did
Azlvar-adiyan Nambi also make the same mistake?
Vandiya Devan looked around to see if Nambi was still
thrusting his head above the wall. That spot of the palace
wall was now shrouded by shadows cast by the trees. He
could see nothing.
By now he heard some shouts from below. "Long Live
Madurandaka! Praise the Crown-Prince Madurandaka!
Victory to our brave spears!" They were passionate
outbursts. Vandiya Devan saw that all the men in the
courtyard were now standing; they held their swords and
spears high up above their heads and cheered. Thinking
that it would be dangerous to remain any longer in that
spot, he turned around and hurried back to his terrace and
laid himself down.