Chapter 8 - Who's in the Palanquin?

For a while they talked and discussed something with each other in the crowd. Vandhiyathevan could not hear anything clearly because many voices were mixed together.

Sambuvaraiyar said in a loud voice, "Shouldn't we answer the Pazhuvur king's question? What happens if you are talking head to head? The third watch of the night had begun. There comes the moon."

"I have a doubt. Others may have it, like me, in their minds. If Pazhuvur Thevar is not angry, I would like to hear about it!" said Kammal's voice that had spoken once before.

"Isn't that what you're talking about now? Let him get up and come into the light well!" said Pazhuvertaraiyar.

"Yes; I am the one who has come to light.

"I used to vent my anger on the battlefield; It is customary to show up to enemies; I won't show it to my friends. So you can ask for anything freely."

"Then let me ask, some people are accusing Pazhuvertaraiyar of the same crime that Pazhuvertaraiyar is accusing Sundara Chola Maharaja! Even if I don't believe it, I would like to hear it at this time!" said Vanangamudiyar.

"What's that? How to? Do you want to tell me?"

"We all know that Pazhuvur Thevar married a girl two years ago..."

At this time, Sambuvaraiyar's voice said in an angry tone, "We object to Vanangamudiyar talking about this matter. It is absolutely improper to ask such an inopportune question to our great leader, our chief guest..." Said.

"I request Sambuvaraiyar very much to be patient. Let him hear freely what he wants to hear. It is better to scratch than to keep something in mind. It is true that I married a woman when I was over fifty-five. I freely admit that. But I have never said that I am the incarnation of Rama in Kaliyug. Nor did he claim to be monogamous. I fell in love with that girl; She loved me too. We got married according to the old Tamil traditions, what is wrong in that?"

"Not a mistake!" cried several voices.

"I'm not saying it was wrong to marry. Who among us is monogamous? But....but..."

"But what! Don't hesitate to open your heart and ask!"

"Some people say that Pazhuvertaraiyar obeys the newly married Ilaiyarani's word in everything. They say that they listen to the advice of the young queen even in royal matters. They say they take the young queen with them wherever they go."

Now there was a burst of laughter in the crowd.

Sambuvaraiyar jumped up and asked, "Who laughed? Let him come forward and tell me the reason for laughing!" he roared and drew the knife from its sheath.

"I laughed! Don't worry, Sambuvaraiyar!" said Pazhuvertaraiyar.

Then he said, "Bow down! Is it a crime to take my married wife wherever I go? It is true that I take them to many places. But it is wrong to say that I listen to Ilayarani's advice on royal matters. I would never do that..."

"In that case, I request Pazhuvur Thevar to clear only one more doubt. Why is the palanquin that should have been in the harem here at the place where we are discussing privately? Is there anyone inside the palanquin; Isn't it? Otherwise, where did the screaming and bangle shaking come from?"

There was a strange silence in the crowd as the bowing mudian heard this. The same thought and question had arisen in the minds of many, and no one immediately dared to speak against the Vanakmudiyar. Sambuvaraiyar's lips murmured something. But no word was heard from his mouth.

Breaking the silence, Pazhuvertaraiyar said: "Good question; I am obliged to respond. Before this meeting disperses, let me clear your doubts. You can wait another half an hour, cant you? Don't you have that much faith in me?"

"Yes, there is, we have complete faith in Pazhuvertaraiyar!" shouted many voices.

"No one should think that I have less devotion and respect for Pazhuvertaraiyar than others. I asked him to open his mind and listen. Otherwise, I am willing to carry out his command. Even if you ask me to give my life at this moment, I am willing to give!" said Vanangamudi Muniyaraiyar.

"I know the mind of the venerable. I know the trust you all have placed in me. Let us, therefore, first decide what we have assembled today. Let Sundara Chola Maharaja live long on in this world and rule this Chola empire, but if something happens to him, if the doctors' promise comes true, if the Dhoomakethu and other disturbances that have been appearing for some time come true, then we have to decide who is the next successor of this Chola empire."

"We request your opinion on that. There's no one in this crowd who can say anything contrary to you."

"That's not right, everyone has to think and express their opinion. I would like to remind you of some old news. The great warrior, great sage and pious Kandarathitha Thevar passed away unexpectedly twenty-four years ago. At that time his son Mathuranthaka Thevar was a one-year-old child. So he wished that his younger brother Arinjaya Deva should succeed to the throne. This was revealed to us by his Dharma wife and Patta Mahishi Chempian Mahadevi. Accordingly we crowned Arinjaya Cholar and installed him on the emperor's pedestal. But as fate would have it, emperor Arinjaya did not sit on the Chola throne for more than a year. Parantaka Sundara Cholar, the eldest son of Arinjaya Cola, had attained the age of twenty. Therefore, for the good of the kingdom, the ministers, the samanthars, the chieftains, the chieftains of the towns, the leaders of the Kurath and together thought and crowned Paranthaka Sundara Cholar. No one should be upset about that. Because Sundara Chola Maharaja was running the country unswervingly until two years ago. He respected all of us well, listened to our counsel and ruled the kingdom. This further expanded and prospered the Chola kingdom. Now Sundara Chola Maharaja's health is critical. In this situation, who is the next successor? Kandarathithathevar's son Mathuranthakar is now old and able to rule the kingdom. Athitha Karikalar, son of Sundara Cholar – who is one year younger than him is the commander of the northern army in Kanchi. Which of the two is justified in succeeding to the throne? What is the genealogy? What is the justice of Manu? What is the ancient tradition of Tamil Nadu? Is it fair for the eldest's son Mathuranthakar to come to the throne? Or is it proper for the grandson of the youngest to succeed to the throne? Each one of you should give your opinion frankly..."

"Mathuranthakar, the son of the eldest Kandarathithathevar, is entitled to the title. That is justice, dharma and propriety," said Sambuvaraiyar.

Everyone in the crowd kept saying, "That's my opinion," "That's my opinion."

"Your opinion is also my opinion. Only Mathuranthakar deserves the title. But are each of us willing to make an effort to establish that right? Are we willing to fight the body, matter and spirit? Are we ready to swear at the feet of Durgadevi at this moment and take an oath like that?" asked Pazhuvertaraiyar with a voice that he had never heard before.

There was silence in the crowd for a while. Then Sambuvaraiyar said, "That is how we are willing to swear as a divine witness. But before you take the vow, you must make one thing clear. What is Prince Mathuranthakar's opinion? Is he willing to ascend the throne and assume the kingdom? We hear that the ascetic son of Kandarathithar has renounced worldly life and is fully engaged in Shiva bhakti. We have heard many say that he is not interested in the kingdom. We have also heard that his mother Chempian Madeviar is totally against her son's succession. We want to know the truth about this from you."

"That's a good question; You asked at the right time. I have an obligation to make this clear. I should have told you before. Forgive me for failing to say it," said Pazhuvertaraiyar with a preface. "It is a known fact in the country that Chempian Madevi was trying to get her only son back from her desire for the kingdom and lead him to the path of Shiva Bhakti. But the country does not know the reason for this; People don't know. The reason was that the elder stateswoman was afraid that if Mathuranthakar knew that he wanted to rule the kingdom, his life would be in danger. "

"Wow!" "Really?" shouted voices from the crowd.

"Yes; Wouldn't the mother's desire for her only son to be alive be greater than that of her only son to ascend the throne? Mathuranthakar, who believed that mother's word was the word of God, had also turned his mind to despair. He was fully engaged in Shiva Bhakti. But for some time his mind had been changing little by little. The thought that this Chola empire belongs to him and it is his duty to maintain it has taken root in his mind. If you all seem to support him, he is willing to come forward publicly at the right time."

"What is the evidence of this?"

"I will give you a proof right now that will satisfy you all. Are you all willing to take an oath?"

Many voices shouted, "We're here! We're here!"

"There's no other doubt in anyone's mind?"

"Oh no! Nope!"

"Then here I will bring a proof. I will clear Vanangamudi Muniyaraiyar's doubts right now!" said Pazhuvertaraiyar and got up. He walked majestically to the covered palanquin that was placed there.

"Prince! The curtain of the palanquin should be lifted and come out. Give a glimpse of your face to these brave warriors who are willing to sacrifice their body, body and spirit for you!"

Vandhiyathevan, who had been sitting behind the pillar in the balcony and listening with unbridled curiosity without missing a word, now looked down cautiously. As before, a hand lifted the curtain of the palanquin. It was a golden hand. It was the same red man he had seen once before. But now he saw that what he had thought of as a bangle was actually a bracelet worn by princes. The next moment the golden face resembled the full moon appeared. A handsome figure resembling Cupid came out of the palanquin and stood smiling. This is Prince Mathuranthakara, the son of Kandarathitha Thevar! Didn't we make that mistake because we wanted to be a woman in the palanquin? Vandhiyathevan looked to see if Azhvarkadiyan Nambi, who had committed the same mistake as himself, was sticking his head against the wall. The place was under the shade of a tree and it was dark, so there was nothing to be seen.

In the meantime, below, "Long live Mathuranthaka Thevar! Long live the Crown Prince! Victory Vale! Veeravel!" were the angry shouts. Vandhiyathevan saw that everyone in the crowd stood up, raised their swords and swords, and shouted like that. Thinking that it would be dangerous to stay there from now on, he rushed to where he lay and lay down.