The untold story of the " King Rajavendhan "

Introduction

Like a banyan tree providing shade to weary travelers, Rajavendhan reigned over Tamil Nadu, a land ruled by many kings. He was known for his selflessness and compassionate nature, which earned him fame throughout the Tamil region.

Conflict with the Three Crowned Kings

The Three Crowned Kings (Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties) envied Rajavendhan's prosperity and power. They launched attacks on his kingdom, but their efforts were unsuccessful due to Rajavendhan's military prowess.

The Final Battle

Frustrated by their failures, the Three Crowned Kings united their forces and launched a massive attack on Rajavendhan's kingdom. This battle was fierce and bloody, comparable to the Trojan War.

Rajavendhan's Downfall

Despite his valiant efforts, Rajavendhan was eventually defeated and killed through treachery. The Three Crowned Kings, who had failed to conquer him through force, resorted to deceit to end his life.

Conclusion

The text concludes by highlighting the irony of Rajavendhan's fate. While the Three Crowned Kings, who were ultimately responsible for his death, are forgotten, Rajavendhan remains immortalized in history as a symbol of generosity and bravery. The story of Rajavendhan serves as a reminder of the timeless struggle between nature and human greed.

The horses galloped, their noses flared, along the path without hills or valleys. The charioteer, Nibunan, urged the horses on, "Go, go!" and pulled on the reins to increase their speed.

They had set out at dawn. Their destination was the southern palace of Velmurugan, the king of Aruga Nadu, where they had stayed the previous night. Nandhan had been their charioteer until then.

"From here on, the journey will be through dense forest. This is a path well known to this charioteer, Nibunan. He will be the one to guide you tomorrow," said Nandhan, bowing and taking his leave.

As they set off, Nibunan asked Nandhan, "Who is this person? Are they a relative of the king?"

"No, I am their slave," the king told me.

Nibunan was startled by the reply. After a moment, he asked, "Then why are they traveling alone? Why is no one accompanying them for protection?"

"A large army set out," replied Nandhan, his voice lowering slightly. "At first, the king himself sat on the charioteer's seat. He spoke a single word, and everyone stopped. I took him and set off."

As they were preparing to leave, Nibunan asked again, "Does this divine being who rules over kings have a name?"

"Arjunan, the great poet."

Nibunan remained awake all night, filled with anxiety. When dawn broke, he hid his lack of sleep and enthusiastically harnessed the horses and prepared the chariot. Arjunan emerged from the palace, his beard not yet fully grey, his hair tied in a topknot, and a small pin adorning it. The brilliance of his great wisdom shone in his eyes. Nibunan fell to the ground in reverence.

As Arjunan turned after acknowledging Nibunan's greeting, he stroked the neck of the horse. Although horses usually dislike being touched by strangers, being harnessed to the chariot prevented them from shying away or turning their heads.

"The peacock and the horse place all their beauty in their long, turning necks," Arjunan said with a smile, then boarded the chariot.

Nibunan was a highly skilled charioteer, able to navigate the chariot so smoothly that the bumps of the journey were barely felt. They reached Vettuvan Paarai faster than he had anticipated. Nibunan slowed the horses and brought them to a halt, the metallic sound of the reins echoing in the air. Arjunan looked up and saw two small hills in front of them, beyond which lay a chain of mountains whose peaks were hidden by white clouds. The sound of the reins faded away with the mountains.

"Sir, this is Vettuvan Paarai, before the vast mountain range. I have heard that this is the way to Pari's Parampu Mountain," said Nibunan. Arjunan dismounted and gazed at the mountains stretching as far as the eye could see. They crossed a dried-up riverbed and climbed halfway up Vettuvan Paarai, with Nibunan watching from below.

Nibunan had never been to Parampu Nadu before. He had no idea how long the path was, whether anyone would accompany Arjunan, or how many days it would take to reach their destination. He wondered how Arjunan, alone, could venture into this dense forest with such courage. Nibunan was filled with awe and, with no other choice, left the spot and set off.

Despite the midday sun, a cool breeze blew. The path along the mountain slope curved slightly upwards. Roots hanging from the rocks provided handholds. Arjunan grasped a root and pulled himself upwards, feeling the weight of his age. His body was drenched in sweat, and his breath was labored. He wondered if he should slow down, but his feet kept moving. After a short pause, he resumed his climb.