2
Meipporul Nayanar
Sedhinadu!
The Gurukulam on its southern borders…
Gurukulam … Where the children of the royalty as
well as of the commoners are sent for their schooling. Since the duration of
the study is for twelve years, the young boys who start their education
graduate as well trained youth proficient in various skills.
On one evening…
Two young men are sitting on a low branch of a
tree with their hands laid on the other’s shoulder.
Youth 1
Ilavarase!
He stumbles for words after addressing the other
as above.
Youth 1
(continues)
Ilavarase! Our stay in Gurukulam comes to an end
today. Tomorrow we will separate and go our own way. Even thinking about it
makes me shudder.
His eyes
go moist with tears..
Ilavarasan
Datta! What is this? You always call me as
‘Sathyartha. ’ Why are you are addressing me as ‘Ilavarase’ now?
Datta (his
voice overcome with emotion)
The very first order our Guru proclaimed when we
joined here as young boys twelve years ago was that no one will disclose at any
point of time during their stay, who he was and from which clan or family he
was coming from. He said there will be no distinction between a prince and a
pauper in the Gurukulam! He even warned that if someone discloses his identity,
he would be removed from the Gurukulam that very instant. Following the above,
we mingled with each other without any discrimination. We studied, we fought,
we argued. Friendship has been the only binding force. Today, parents and
guardians are coming here to take back their children and wards. Only when the
Chief Minister of this country came to take you back, I realized that you are
the prince of this state. The King is as venerable as God. Here … Look! I am putting my hand on his
son’s shoulder as if I am equal to him! Can I ever get such a gift? When I
address you as ‘Ilavarase’, there is a pleasant feeling in my heart and a sweet
taste in my tongue!
Prince Sathyarthan looks up his friend with great
compassion.
Sathyarthan
Nanbha! Only
during our stay in the Gurukulam we remain as we are, that is as students. In
future, we have to take many different roles. I am a prince now. I will become
the King later on. When I get married I
will take on the role of husband and then that of a parent and so on. There
will be thus a variety of roles which I have to enact. Today, I like to remain
as I am- as Sathyarthan. The past twelve
years have gone fleeting! It wrenches my heart when I think that the time has come
to go our separate ways!
Seeing his friend Datta shedding tears in
silence, Sathyarthan is tormented.
Sathyarthan
(in a firm tone)
Nanbha! Why are you crying? I am sure separation
alone is not the cause of your distress. It appears to me that there is
something else troubling your mind. If you are a true friend of mine, come out
with the truth.
Datta
You are right my friend! While separation from
you, no doubt, is distressing me, there is another thing that is tormenting me.
Sathyarthan
Tell me about it. Don’t prevaricate.
Datta
All the parents or relatives have reached here
today to take home their sons or wards. There is no one who has come for me….
Did you notice that?
Sathyarthan takes off his hand from his shoulder
and jumps down from the tree.
Sathyarthan
What are you talking? Someone may come tomorrow
also for you. Isn’t it?
Datta
No one will come. I am an orphan having no father
or mother.
On hearing this Sathyarthan laughs aloud and
Datta is confused as to why his friend is laughing at his misfortune.
Sathyarthan
Nanbha! Please forgive me. It is wrong on my part to have laughed when
you are sad. I was troubled that we would separate and go our own ways. Once I realised that there would never be an occasion for us to separate, I was overwhelmed
with joy and that was the reason for my laughter. Nanbha! Tomorrow you will
also come with me.
Datta jumps from the tree and embraces his
friend.
Sathyarthan
Come. Let us go back to our huts. Aren’t we to
bid farewell to all our friends?
Datta
(stammering)
Nanbha! I have another request to make.
Sathyarthan
Come on. Talk as you usually do. There is nothing
like ‘request’ while speaking among friends.
Datta
We all depart from the Gurukulam tomorrow. We
have to pay our Gurudhakshina. I have nothing with me to offer. What will I do?
Sathyarthan
All right!
Is that all your predicament? I will give you gold coins as much as you
want for you to pay your Gurudhakshina.
Datta
Even if you give me the gold coins, it belongs to
you only! The Gurudhakshina must be paid out of one’s own possessions. Only
then, the knowledge and skills we acquired will bear fruit.
Sathyarthan
What you are saying is correct. What can we do?
Thinking for a minute and finding a solution, his
face lights up.
Sathyarthan
Datta! You
are appointed as the personal security guard of the Prince. You accept the gold
coins as advance payment of your salary and pay the fees.
Datta
Aaha! This is the spirit of noble friendship! I
must have been blessed to have you as my friend.
He embraces his friend overcome with emotion.
*********
The Palace of Sedhinadu…
To the chanting of Vedic hymns, the guru of
Sathyarthan gets up from his seat. Two
beautiful girls in auspicious attire carry the glittering crown on a plate of
gold. The guru places the crown on
Sathyarthan and then hands him over the golden baton signifying the coronation
of Sathyarthan. The assembled public shower akshatai and bless their king with
shouts of ‘Long Live our king.’
Sathyarthan bows to the guru and receives his
blessings.
The minister then presents to the king a golden
sword. He receives it and looks up
Datta.
Walking
erect, Datta comes and stands in front of the king. After bowing to him, he
goes on his knees and stretches his hands. The king places the sword in his
hands. Datta bows to the sword, kisses it and inserts it in the sheath tied to
his waist. The assembled public hails their new Chief of their Army by shouting
‘Long Live Senathipathi Datta.’ Datta
bowing to the people, who have blessed him, goes back and takes his seat. The
minister raises his hand and the assembly restores silence.
The minister now looks up to the guru and bows to
him. The guru walks up to the king and bows to him. Sathyarthan gets up from
his Simhasanam and bows to Guru.
The King
Guruve! I am your student and disciple. Is it appropriate for you to bow to me?
Guru
I did not bow to my student but to the king of
this country. I bowed to this Simhasanam, the seat that protects our lives, the
white canopy in the form of an umbrella which delivers justice. The baton you
are carrying in your hand, the crown that you wear on your head are all passed
on from generation to generation by your forefathers to remind that the country
is administered upholding the values of dharma.
I am bowing to all these symbols. The King is
considered as Mahesan Himself! His orders are to be taken as edicts of God. I
am also your subject. Therefore I bow to you.
Guru bows to him again and Sathyarthan returns to
his seat.
Guru
Mannane! (Oh! King) From now on you are the
‘kaavalan’ (guardian) of this country. Do you know the significance of hailing
you as ‘kaavalan’?
The King
Guruve! Please tell me.
Guru
He is hailed as ‘kaavalan’ not just because he is
guarding the country. Listen to me carefully. He has to guard his subjects
against any sort of difficulty from these five namely, himself, his immediate
staff, enemies, thieves and animals. As
he guards his subjects from these five, he is hailed as the guardian. Let this
country prosper under your guardianship.
The guru now looks at Datta, who immediately
rises from his seat and bows to the guru.
Guru
Senathipathi!
Are you aware of your duties and responsibilities?
Datta
Guruve! Please tell me. I will abide by them.
Guru
The king has two eyes whereas you are supposed to
have a thousand of them signifying that you will be alert and be in the know of
everything that is happening. The security of the country, the safety of the
king, taking the king’s orders as absolute: let these three be your mantras from
this moment.
Datta
I will abide by what you have told.
Guru now looks at the public.
Guru
Makkale!
Your king is seated in front of you.
It is the responsibility of each one of you to stand by your king to
ensure that he rules this kingdom in a fair manner. Conduct yourself taking his orders as edicts
of God Himself!
The public
(in cohesion)
We will
conduct ourselves as told by the guru.
The priests again chant Vedic hymns and the
people shower flower petals and bow to the king.
*******
The Southern boundary of Sedhinadu…
The king of the neighbouring country Muthanathan
is seated in his throne. The minister, standing in front of him is in two minds
whether or not to seek the king’s permission to speak. After years of service
under him, the minister knows how unpredictable the behavior of the king is. He
cannot fathom what the king will say at any point of time. With graying hair covering his forehead with
eyebrows totally absent, the king’s countenance is horrible to behold.
On getting
an indication to speak up, the minister gives out the news.
The
Minister
The Emperor of Emperors!
On getting addressed as such, the king gets
elated and gives out an ugly grin.
The
Minister
I have some information from our enemy’s country.
Mannan (The
King – not controlling his curiosity)
Is it from Sedhinadu? Come on! Tell me quickly.
The
Minister
The erstwhile king of Sedhinadu is our sworn
enemy. He lost his life while hunting in the jungle. His son Sathyarthan is now
crowned as king. The blunder he has committed on becoming king is making his
boyhood friend Datta as Senathipathi overlooking much senior generals. Though
it augurs badly for them, it is good news for us. The able and experienced seniors in their palace
are worried about that their future. If we attack them now, they can be easily
defeated. Our ambition to defeat them
all these years will fructify now.
Mannan
What was the name you said?
The
Minister
The king’s name is Sathyarthan.
Mannan
(irritated)
What is the name of Senathipathi?
The
Minister
Datta.
Mannan
How old are they?
The Minister
Both of them are almost of same age… May be of
twenty one years.
Mannan
What do you think my age is?
Fearing the king may find fault with whatever
answer he may give, the minister keeps silent
Mannan
Fifty two! They are not worth even to stand in
front of me! Can they dare fight me? His
father has driven us out eight times. Now we are going to drive out his son.
He laughs aloud to the horror of the minister.
Mannan (Looking at the minister)
Did you
get any information what is the ideal time to wage the war?
The minister has no clue about it. Still, if he
says that he doesn’t know, he will face the wrath of the king. So he keeps
standing without giving a reply.
Mannan
(losing his patience)
What do you say?
The Minister
If we are confident of our readiness to fight,
nothing more is required.
Mannan
This will
be the ninth time. I will head and lead the army. I will not kill those
youngsters in the battle. I will taunt them and then kill them. The cattle
wealth of Sedhinadu will become ours. The grains that are grown there will fill
our granaries here. The womenfolk of Sedhinadu will be enslaved to work in our
palace. Ask the drummer to beat the drums! Let our army get ready to move!
Unable to withstand the ugly expression of the
king, the minister rushes out to announce the imminence of war.
******
Sedhinadu…
Sathyarthan and Datta are taking a walk in the
palace park.
Datta
Manna!
Sathyarthan
Nanba! We are alone here. You can address me by
my name. I feel like a foreigner when the elders to whom I have been paying
respects address me respectfully as ‘Manna’. At least you honour my sentiments
and talk to me as a friend.
Datta
Sathyartha! I cannot help admire your noble trait
of humility and demeanor of not getting swayed by power and wealth. Leave aside
these things. I have very important news that has come from our neighbouring
state.
Since I did not want to speak on that in the
company of others I wanted to meet you alone.
Sathyarthan
What is that news? Why it can’t be discussed in
front of others?
Datta
The neighbouring country’s king Muthanathan…
Sathyarthan
I know! He has waged war against us eight times
and was driven out by my father every time! Go on further…
Datta
He has already embarked on his ninth attempt. He
feels that since both you and I are young and inexperienced, he can win against
us easily. Therefore, he is coming with a big force, heading it himself. The
moment I got the news from our spies, I have deliberated deeply and planned a
few things. If we discuss these things in front of others, it may be leaked to
the enemy. During the times of war, we have to be very cautious. Just like we
have spies in their territory for gathering news, so will they have their spies
in our midst! We must have our secret plan to ourselves and a decoy plan for
general discussion. The enemy should be made to guess our move till the very
last moment. At the same time we must foresee how the enemy will react
accurately.
Sathyarthan
I think, at least now you will agree with my
decision of making you the Senathipathi of Sedhinadu!
Appreciating the gravity of the situation,
Sathyarthan listen to what Datta says very keenly.
Datta (in
deep thought)
Manna! The moment I got the news, I have been analysing day and night and made my plans as to where we must confront the
enemy keeping in mind what are the strength and weaknesses of the
plan. These plans are kept in my secret room. If the king sees them and gives
out his opinion, I can start of the work and complete them quickly.
Both of them reach Datta’s secret room.
The door is closed and they are closeted for long
hours.
When the king ultimately emerges, Datta also
comes out with him.
Sathyarthan (gallantly)
Datta! Let
the drums of war be sounded! We will
meet Muthanathan in the battle.
Datta
(unsheathing his sword)
Victory to Sedhinadu! Long Live the King! Long
live his subjects!
Hearing his thunderous voice, the drums in the
palace are sounded to declare the onset of war!
*******
The northern frontiers of Sedhinadu….
Muthanathan’s army has pitched their tents and in
a day’s time they can enter Sedhinadu.
A spy sent by Muthanathan comes inside the King’s
tent and bows to the king. The king looks intently at the spy.
The spy!
The Emperor of Emperors! …. I don’t know why
there is no movement of Sedhinadu army as far as my eye could see! I have
travelled very deep inside their territory and still I could discern no
movement of their forces..
He bows to
the King and leaves.
Muthanathan
(to himself)
I expected that both the armies will fight on the
border itself.. If there is no movement
of enemy forces for miles inside … Does it indicate that the enemy is scared to
fight?
Muthanathan is itching to celebrate his victory
then and there itself!
Muthanathan
(speaking to his confident attendant)
On learning our impending assault, the young boys
must have run away and hid themselves. Call all the commanders and ask them to
get ready for war. Announce to all the soldiers that they will get immense booty
on our victory.
The soldiers indulge in merriment on hearing this
announcement. Muthanathan is waiting for his spy from Sedhinadu to return for
the latest news.
Muthanathan
(to himself)
Something is bugging me..
If the old king were alive, he would have met me
face to face in the battlefield with his force.
What is this youngster doing after declaring war?
Why he is not heading his army? How can I plan my strategy without knowing his
activity? Has he left the kingdom and ran away in fear? Why our other spies
have not yet reached here? It seems that the countryside of Sedhinadu is
welcoming me with open arms!
Thinking on all these he becomes restless. Just
then he gets the information that one of their spies from Sedhinadu has
reached.
The
Spy
Long live! The Emperor of Emperors! Victory is
ours!
Muthanathan
(unable to control his anxiety)
What is the news?
The Spy
Tthe king of Sedhinadu has taken refuge in a fort,
not wanting any kind of damage or injury to his soldiers or his subjects due to
this war. The fort is at a distance of two days journey from here. There are
only a few soldiers for his protection. Arrangements have been made for a
comfortable stay inside the fort for a period of six months. It appears that it is not easy to break in to
the fort. The people are saying that unless the king is captured or slain, it
is not possible to take over the country. The people of Sedhinadu are frozen in
fear as to what will happen and when? The elderly people of Sedhinadu are
critical of the king for hiding himself in fear inside the fort and not
engaging himself in the war valiantly. They are also disillusioned by the
conduct of the young and inexperienced king.
Muthanathan
What a strange act is this? Hiding inside the
fort and not wanting to fight! It does not appeal to common sense. Are you
absolutely sure of this information?
The
Spy
I swear on my mother! The information I have
brought is absolutely correct!
Muthanathan breaks into a smile on hearing this.
Muthanathan
Get all the sub commanders here immediately!
The sub commanders troop in quickly and stand in
front of the king.
Muthanathan
I order that the drum gives the victory beats now
itself!
The sub commanders look at each other in
confusion as to how can there be victory even before the start of the war!
Muthanathan
Scared of us, Sathyarthan has hid himself in a
fort. He is ignorant that our elephant
column will destroy the fort walls and reduce them to rubbles in a matter of
minutes. He will get lost in our encirclement. The elephant columns will go
first. It will be followed by foot soldiers. For their safety there will be one
cavalry man for every ten foot soldiers.
Once they make the route ready, my chariot force will enter the fort
like a cyclone and eliminate any opposition. My sword will plunge into the
heart of the king of Sedhinadu.
Victorious, we will enter Sedhinadu from there. All the treasures of
Sedhinadu will be brought to my palace. All the food grains will fill our
granaries. We will fill our cattle sheds with their cows. Let the women of
Sedhinadu fall on the feet of our soldiers. Hey! Who is there? Ask them to beat the drums! Let our four
columns depart!
The thunderous voice of the king rattles the
whole assembly….
An elderly man, after hearing what he wanted to
hear, tries to sneak out.
Someone challenges him and Muthanathan comes out
of his tent. The soldiers bring an elderly man in front of him.
The elderly
man (bowing to the king)
Finding the unusual movement of men here, I came
here out of curiosity. The land where you have pitched your tents belongs to
me. It is left fallow due to scarcity of water. I am happy that my useless land
has become useful to our soldiers for their stay. Hail to the emperor of
emperors!
Muthanathan
Are you the owner of this land?
The elderly
man
Yes! Emperor of Emperors!
Muthanathan is pleased to hear the old man
addressing him as ‘Emperor of Emperors’ and permits him to leave.
He calls a soldier after the old man leaves and
instructs him.
Muthanathan
Take that old man away from our forces and leave
him. In case you get any doubts finish him off!
The
soldier leads the old man and they reach the border of Sedhinadu.
The elderly
man
Where have you brought me to? How far have I to
walk in this old age to reach my home?
The soldier looks at the haggard old man.
The Soldier
You old haggard! Thank your stars for being
alive! Can anyone escape death after coming near the tent of the king? Now go
home straight. Even by mistake if you come near our camp, you will not return
alive.
The elderly
man
Why will I ever come near your camp? That is all
right. This area looks like the border of Sedhinadu. If I start walking, I will
reach home only by daybreak. Why have you put me in this predicament?
The Soldier
What? Have we reached the border of Sedhinadu? I
must return to my camp before any enemy sees me.
He leaves the old man and goes back as fast as he
can.
The old and worn-down figure now stands erect and
walks briskly. Soon it reaches a tree in
hiding where it finds a horse tied to it earlier. The
horse gallops recognising that the one who
mounted is none but its owner!
*******
Muthanathan…
Reaches the outskirts of the fort with his
forces…
He is surprised to find that there is hardly any
movement either inside or outside the fort.
Muthanathan
(shouting)
Who is there? Ask Sivanthi to come here.
The spy who gathered information from Sedhinadu
comes running to him.
Muthanathan
Is your information that Sathyarthan is hiding in
this fort, correct?
Sivanthi –
the spy
Yes! Manna! The king of Sedhinadu is hiding in
this fort. There… His flag is flying on the fort..
Please you may kindly see…
Muthanathan
Yes! What you say appears true. Why he has not
confronted us even after knowing that we are approaching the fort? There is no
point wasting any more time. As per our battle plan, let the elephant column
move ahead and shatter the walls of the fort. Let the foot soldiers and the
cavalry to protect them fallow. Lastly the chariot forces will move. Let due
caution be exercised in our movements. Now! Let the elephant column move and
destroy the fort…
The war drums and bugles sound indicating the
start of the attack by Muthanathan’s army.
The elephant column rushes and reaches the
ramparts of the fort quickly. Muthanathan is observing the progress of attack
from his chariot at the back. Suddenly there is a large posse of soldiers on
the top of the fort walls. They start emptying large cauldrons of scorching hot
oil on the elephants. Unable to withstand the burning oil on their skin, the
elephants turn back and start running amok.
The foot soldiers behind get trampled by the elephants creating a great
commotion. This sudden commotion startles the horses and they too start running
here and there. The soldiers get trampled under the feet of the horses and
there is wailing all around by the injured and dying soldiers. Muthanathan is
dumbfounded finding his forces in total disarray. Afraid that the uncontrolled elephants and
horses may topple the chariots, the drivers turn back their chariots to escape. Suddenly there is the sound of blowing of
war horn from behind. Muthanathan stands frozen not knowing what to do. A small
force under Datta now attacks the chariot column by shooting down the drivers
by arrows. In a matter of few minutes the chariot column stands decimated.
Muthanathan finding his country’s flag lying
shattered quickly turns back his chariots and runs way from the battle field
towards his own country. The fighting
stops abruptly once the king has run away from the battle field. Hearing the drums of Sedhinadu sounding their
victory, Muthanathan drives his chariot even faster!
******
At the entrance to the palace of Sedhinadu…
The damsels of the palace welcome the king
Sathyarthan and Senathipathi Datta who drove out their enemy king Muthanathan
without loss of a single soldier of theirs. The whole country sports a festive
look. The captured soldiers of Muthanathan’s army are bound and imprisoned.
********
The palace of Muthanathan..
Muthanathan is seated on his throne. There is
absolute silence everywhere.
The minister stands unable discern the mood of
the king, whether he is sad or ashamed of the happenings.
Muthanathan
It is a shame for my life to have been defeated
again by Sedhinadu forces because of my miscalculation. I will avenge this
before I die.
Seeing the contorted face of the king making this
vow, the minister leaves the place afraid to open his mouth.
*****
The palace of Sedhinadu…
Sathyarthan is seated on his throne, victorious.
Composed and calm Datta is seated nearby.
The minister gets up to the auspicious blessings
of the assembled crowd. The assembly
starts.
The
minister
Without losing the life of a single soldier of
ours, the victory that has been achieved by the astuteness of our king and the valour of our Senathipathi will be etched in the minds of our people for
ever. We have at the same time captured
six sub commanders of Muthanathan and about a thousand soldiers. They are under
our custody. What punishment must be meted out to them? Only the king can give
the verdict!
He takes his seat.
Sathyarthan looks at his minister, then at Datta
and the assembled public. He then looks
at the sub commanders who are chained and standing.
Mannan
During my father’s reign, Muthanathan has waged
war for about eight times. What did we do with the captured soldiers?
The
Minister
All those captured were slain.
All the sub commanders of Muthanathan look down
cast on hearing this.
After contemplating for a few minutes, the king
looks up and looks at the minister.
Mannan
Amaichchare!
Victory and defeat in war are equal to me. To die in battlefield is
heroic. It is the dream of every soldier. The one who are alive and captured by
us because of their destiny are also soldiers like us even though they belong
to the enemy country. We must ensure that their lives must be guarded as much
as we like to safeguard the lives our own soldiers. Those who have given up
their lives in the war are lost and will not return. Let those who have
survived the war be allowed to live. Let there not be any further killing and
loss of life. If any of those who are captured want to return to their country,
let them go back. Let them be given sufficient food for their journey. This is
my order. If any of them does not want to return, we can make them work along
with our own people in the construction work of the new temple of Easan. I
order that such workers be paid wages as per norms followed in our
country. Doing the construction of the
temple of Easan, who is the protector of the universe, is the greatest blessing
one can get.
The sub commanders of Muthanathan are overwhelmed
by the generosity of the king. The assembled public hails the king expressing
their happiness.
A sub commander of Muthanathan (emotionally)
Oh! Emperor of Emperors! Your noble quality of
forgiving even your enemies will be hailed by the world for ever. We are your
enemies.. We are defeated in the war.
You can do anything you wish with our lives including depriving it. You
have authority to make us do whatever you want. Your orders permitting those
who want to return home with provision for their return journey, and for others
to engage in the service of temple construction will be remembered till our
last breath. Since you have spared our lives we owe you a lot of gratitude. If
we were to return to our home, we should have been victorious in war. Otherwise
we should have been slain in the battlefield as heroes. We will not agree to
return home as defeated and captured soldiers.
From now onwards our service will be only for Iraivan. We are subjects
of your country, whatever is our future.
The
Minister
Such an event has never happened in this assembly
before nor will it ever happen again. Mannar Manna! Hail to your reign!
He bows to the king and so do all those
assembled.
*********
Muthanathan’s palace…
Seated on his throne, Muthanathan is highly
agitated. The minister is highly anguished.
Muthanathan
I hear
that our soldiers have refused to return to our country. Is that true?
The
minister
Yes! That is so.
Muthanathan
I also hear
that they are going to be employed in the construction of a temple. Is
that correct?
The
minister
Yes. It will be a temple for Easan.
Muthanathan laughs aloud all of a sudden to the
surprise of the minister.
Muthanathan
Om! Namasivaya! Om! Namasivaya!
He again laughs aloud uncontrollably. The
minister leaves the place unable to understand the strange behavior of the
king.
******
The palace of Sedhinadu….
The whole palace is in festive mood… Sathyarthan
is seated in the kalyana mandapam. He
ties the Thali around the bride’s neck to the accompaniment of auspicious
music. The elders bless the newly married by showering sacred akshatai on their
heads. Having conducted his friend’s wedding in a grand manner to the
acclamation of the entire country, Datta is visibly happy.
The newlyweds reach the recently constructed
temple. Sathyarthan stands in front of
the Sannathi of Ayyan with his wife. Datta is also there. There is
Deeparadhanai of Easan. All of them bow to Easan. The temple bells toll
blessing the newlyweds.
******
The days roll by…
Under his benign rule, Sedhinadu prospers in all
fronts. The righteousness prevails, the
crops flourish and people are happy and wealthy.
It becomes a regular feature for the learned
people to assemble in the courtyard of the palace for literary discussion every
full moon day.
That day was the full moon day of Vaikasi. The
learned have assembled as usual in the courtyard. Mannan Sathyarthan has taken
his seat. Sathyarthan’s guru has also come that day which was quite unusual. He
learned assembly is awaiting the king’s approval for starting the discussion.
Sathyarthan
Salutations to my Guru! I bow to all of you, the
learned people assembled here! The topic for discussion for today is the word
‘Meipporul’ which has been engaging my mind for the past few days. I feel as if
someone is addressing me as ‘Meipporul’. What is ‘Meipporul’? I request the wise people here to discuss on
this topic and explain the term.
Learned man
1
‘Meipporul’!
‘Mei’ means truth. If we take the meaning of ‘porul’ as explanation, we
may take the expression to mean ‘explanation of truth’.
Learned man 2
Let us first debate on what is meant by ‘Mei’
(truth) and what is meant by ‘Poi’ (untruth).
Learned man
3
‘Poi’ is the opposite of ‘Mei.’
Learned man
4
It is in generally said that what you see with
your eyes is ‘Poi’, what you hear is also ‘Poi’ but what you investigate thoroughly
is only ‘Mei’. It means that one must not come to a blind conclusion by mere
observation or hearsay but must investigate thoroughly to find the truth. This
is one of the prime duties of the king.
Datta
A ‘Piththan’ (mad cap) will always say a ‘Mei’
as ‘Poi’ and call‘Poi’ as ‘Mei’.
Mannan
(laughing)
Quite true! No mad man accepts the fact that he
is mad. I have seen many mad people who
imagine things that do not exist but insist that they do!
Guru
Manna! What you have said is based on actual
experience. There is another interpretation for what Datta has said. Whom we call ‘Piththan’ is Easan. He was the
one who gave the first word ‘Piththa’ for the composition of the Thevaram by
Aaruran. Let us take the first half of the sentence of Datta, ‘He will say a ‘Mei’ as ‘Poi’. Here
‘Mei’ refers to the body which is transient and not permanent. It is ‘Poi’ or
unreal or ‘Maya’. ‘Poi’ can also be
taken as something nonexistent. The body which is ‘Mei’ has therefore become
‘Poi’ because of its absence. The second
half his sentence, ‘He will call a ’Poi’ as ‘Mei’. What is nonexistent? The
Formless One. Who is the Formless One?
Iraivan alone is the Formless One. But He is the very Truth. He is ‘Mei’.
Therefore here the ‘Poi, has truly become ‘Mei’.
Sathyarthan and all the assembled are enlightened
by the Guru’s explanation.
Learned man
5
So far we have only talked about ‘Mei’. We have
not discussed about ‘Meipporul’. Let us what our great poets have said about
it. Valluvar has said that rather than giving importance to the originator of a
thesis or idea, it is wiser to discern its true import.
Mannan
The discussion is going on expected lines.
However, I am eager to know the meaning of ‘Meipporul’ from the Guru.
Guru
Manna! You questioned as to what is ‘Meipporul’.
I will tell you now. If I narrate a story to explain it, you will grasp it
easily. Listen to me!
Once upon a time a king went on a deer hunt. Even after traversing for a long time in the
jungle he could not find a single deer. He was almost vexed by the misfortune.
Suddenly, he saw a deer. Seeing the king with his bow and arrows, the deer
wanted to run away. As it was pregnant it could not run fast. Seeing the
condition of the pregnant deer and its inability to speed away, the king shot
an arrow and brought the deer down.
The assembly, listening to the episode with a
heavy heart is eagerly waiting for the Guru to continue.
Guru (continues)
The fallen deer looks up the king and says, ‘It
is in the nature of things in the jungles that an animal hunts another one to
appease its hunger. It cannot discern whether
or not the hunted animal is pregnant. It does not have that sense. But you are a
man. You have the sixth sense to discern things. Before you shot the arrow, you
knew that I was pregnant and even became happy that I could not run away. I am
going to die now. But the innocent foetus in my womb is also going to die. As you
have behaved like an animal in slaying us, you are cursed to become an animal.
The king’s body transforms to that of a tiger
because of the above curse. The king begs forgiveness from the deer for his
misdeed. Recognising that its slayer
was a King and his subjects would undergo untold suffering in his absence, the
deer though on the verge of dying not only pardoned him but also told him the
remedy for its curse.
The
assembly listens to the story in pin drop silence
Guru
(continues)
The deer said, “Mannane! You will be relieved of
this curse when you learn the true meaning of ‘Meipporul’ from a cow. The deer dies and the king becomes a tiger
and leads his life as a tiger in the jungle. He is eagerly waiting to learn the
true meaning of ‘Meipporul’ and when he will be relieved of the curse. Days
rolls into weeks and months and months into years. The cow has not appeared and
has not disclosed the meaning of ‘Meipporul’. The king remains as a tiger and
roams around restless. Overtime, he forgets that he is the king and raises his
own family of cubs. One day there is heavy rain from morning till evening. It
is going to be dusk very soon. The tiger goes around hunting for prey to feed his
cubs. For a long time it is unable to find any animal. Worrying how it is going
to feed his hungry cubs, it picks up the scent of cows nearby. Following the
scent, it rushes there. On seeing the tiger nearing them, the cows run away
with all the speed they can muster and the tiger keeps chasing them. One of
them skids and falls down. Seeing that the tiger is about to pounce on it, the
cow pleads, ‘Great soul! This is the time for feeding my calf. If I do not go and feed it, it may even die
of hunger. Please let me go.’ Finding
that the cow cannot escape from its clutches, the tiger speaks to it ‘You are
asking me to let you go because your calf is hungry. You are concerned about
your calf. I am also in the same predicament. If I don’t kill you and carry your
meat my cubs will also die of hunger. What is your reply? You at least can eat
grass and satiate your hunger but in our case we cannot eat anything other than
animals like you. Therefore I cannot let you go. The cow now replies to the
tiger, ‘You are truly a great soul for having heard my plea patiently rather
than killing me instantly. Your argument
is equally fair. It is my fate that I am going to be the food for your cubs.
Who can change this destiny? But I have a prayer. If you let me go now, I will
feed my calf and return on my own. You can then kill me and feed your cubs. I
will pacify my calf which is awaiting my return and come back definitely. I
will keep my promise. Please believe me.’
The tiger, understands the just plea of the cow. However doubting as to
what will happen if the other cows in its clan do not permit it to return it
poses that question. The cow replies, ‘Once I have given my word that I will
return, how can my clan stop me? Even if they do, why should I agree to that?
The tiger replies, ‘ Your clan may argue that to save one’s life breaking a
promise or giving a false promise is not forbidden and thus convince you not to return’. The cow
replies, ‘Great soul! Just because we stick to our words at all costs, even the
human beings worship us. After we feed our claves, we give our milk to feed the
humans. It is in our blood to serve the humanity. I will abide by my promise
and return’. The king who has transformed into tiger agrees and let the cow go.
The cow reaches it herd and feeds its calf. The calf sees her shedding tears.
The calf asks the mother cow the reason for its tears. The cow narrates the
whole story and advising the calf to learn to live on its own, it starts to
leave. The calf is distressed to see it depart and says, ‘Thaye! It is the duty of the child to take care of
its mother. I will go and be the prey to the tiger in your place. The cow is
saddened even more on hearing this and cries, ‘My dear child! The very thought
that the sharp teeth of the tiger will be tearing your flesh itself is enough
to kill me. I have lived my life. But you are young and you have to live in
this world. I beseech you to live and
lead your life. The cow walks on. The other cows in the herd stop her, ‘You
foolish one! You and your calf are in our herd. When we are together the tiger
cannot attack us. There is nothing binding for you to return. Giving promises
and keeping them are meant for humans. As animals we are supposed to survive as
long as we are destined. Therefore you must not return’.
The Cow
If I do not return, the tiger cubs may die of
hunger. Where will they get food in this torrential rain? I am also a mother!
The pangs of hunger of the young ones are familiar to me. It is only just that
I return as promised. Please do not prevent me from going ahead.
When the cow reaches the tiger as promised a
surprise is waiting!
The Guru stops the story kindling the curiosity
of the listeners.
Guru
(continues)
The cow sees its calf has already reached there
and sitting in front of the tiger in submission. The king in the form of tiger
sees the cow which has returned to keep up its promise and its calf which has
surrendered to him. The calf speaks, ‘Noble soul! How much of unbearable pains
my mother must have undergone while giving birth to me? My heart cannot bear to
see her undergo any further suffering when you tear her up for feeding your
cubs. Please take my life instead, show mercy and spare my mother.
The king
hearing these words is taken aback!
He thinks, ‘What a wonder! The true path of love is to save the life of
others even at the cost of one’s own life. This is the path of ‘Dharma’ and the
only path to reach the ‘Brahmam’. This is the true meaning of life. This is
nothing but ‘Meipporul’. Having understood the true meaning of ‘Meipporul’, he
is relieved of his curse and regains his original human form. He returns to his
kingdom and reigns for many more years.
Sathyarthan and all the assembled people are
totally captivated hearing the story and its import from the Guru. Guru leaves the assembly slowly and silently
with a beaming smile on his face. His figure disappears slowly into thin air.
At that very instant, the temple bells sound in all their glory….
******
One day
…….
Sathyarthan and Datta are going into the forest.
Sathyarthan
Nanba! The enlightenment brought forth by our
Guru on the meaning and significance of ‘Meipporul’ has made a lasting impact
in my mind. In my reign there shall be no distress for any creature.
Datta
Nanba!
Your urge to rule the country in a just manner is praiseworthy. Still
one cannot conduct the affairs of the state through love alone. At times the
king has to be strong and forceful. Doesn’t a mother administer bitter medicine
to her child to cure it from illness?
Sathyarthan
I know
that awarding appropriate punishment to the criminals as per the seriousness of
their crimes is not to be considered as ill-treatment. Still, if we ensure that
no crime takes place and makes it as our
responsibility, will we not avoid awarding of punishments?
Datta
This will be possible only after a considerable
time. We have imposed an order prohibiting hunting of animals in the jungles
and if someone disobeys this edict he is liable to be punished by the king.
This is our first step. I am greatly concerned as to how to implement this
order successfully.
Having reached far into the jungle, they realise that it is time to return. While they reverse their mounts, a rare
spectacle comes to their notice.
A little
away from there under a tree…
A munivar is seated deep in meditation. No one
knows how long he has been seated there but half his body is covered by anthill
earth. His eyes are closed and his body is impervious to the happenings
outside.
Both of them dismount from the horses and go near
him with great caution so as not to disturb his meditation. As they near him
they recognise that he is a Sivanadiyar. It is amazing that the thiruneeru that he
is seen on his forehead is looking fresh and undisturbed. The Rudrakshams he is
wearing around his neck give him a divine look. Sathyarthan bows in front of
Sivanadiyar. He is amazed to notice that parts of Sivanadiyar’s body have been
eaten away by termites. Both of them retrace their paths.
On the way …..
Sathyarthan
Datta! Have you notice the Sivanadiyar? Controlling all his senses, offering his own
body to the termites, with his eyes shut firmly he is in deep meditation on
‘Sivan’. I go into raptures thinking of him.
Datta
Yes! Indeed! They say that having darisanam of a
Sivanadiyar is as good as having the darisanam of Easan Himself! We have been blessed to have had the
darisanam of Easan.
Sathyarthan
I am also feeling the same way. Nanba! I have
realized the splendor of sporting the thiruneeru and wearing the Rudrakshams.
From now onwards, I will consider any Sivanadiyar as my life. To bow to his
feet will be my fortune. What I ever I own will be bequeathed to his holy feet.
Both of them reach the palace. A third man has
been overhearing their conversation all along without them realising it.
********
Muthanathan’s palace and Muthanathan is seated on
his throne.
The third person who has been over hearing the
conversation is standing in front of him. He narrates in detail how he has been
tailing Sathyarthan and Datta in the
jungle, about the Sivanadiyar they have seen and their conversation while
returning to their palace. Highly
pleased, Muthanathan removes a pearl necklace from his neck and rewards the spy
with it. The spy leaves happily.
Muthanathan
(stroking his beard and talking to himself)
You, vermin of Sedhinadu! I was humiliated by
you. The time has come to take my revenge on you. My army is depleted to take
you on war. Many of my men have also remained with you. I will bring your down
fall by your own means. This will be certain.
Muthanathan goes into deep thinking.
*******
Sedhinadu…..
The hospitality and reverence of the king shown
to Sivanadiyars spread far and wide. It is becoming a routine for Sivanadiyars
to visit the palace and bless the king. The orders are passed to the palace
guards to let in Sivanadiyars without any hindrance and ensure that they are
given audience by the king at any time of the day or night without delay. Datta
is very much anguished by these orders. Fearing some enemy may come and harm
the king in the garb of a Sivanadiyar he increases the security of the king in
all the places including his bedroom. He also relocates his residence inside
the palace to enable him to intervene quickly should anything untoward happen.
On the other hand, Sathyarthan is merrily entertaining every Sivanadiyar who
come to him and giving them whatever they desire. Believing that whatever happens is due to
Easan’s wish, he is unmindful of the danger that may befall on him.
*******
On one
midnight hour….
All of them barring the guards are sound asleep.
A Sivanadiyar reaches the entrance to the palace. The guard looks at him
greatly surprised.
Adiyavar
Appane! Please take me to the king this very
instant.
The tenor of the Adiyavar perturbs him.
The guard
Adiyavare! It is midnight now. The king is
sleeping in his bedroom along with the queen. Why don’t you please come here
early in the morning?
Adiyavar
See! Only
a few moments ago, I have got hold of divine writings on Easan.
(He shows a bundle of palm leaves wrapped in a
piece of cloth.)
This is a very rare and invaluable treasure!
I have to present it to the king without
delay. You can very well recognise the value of these palm leaves as I have come running here at this
unearthly hour knowing full well that the king will be sound asleep in his
chamber with his queen.
Not
knowing what to do, the guard takes him to Datta’s chamber. Datta fails to recognise Muthanathan in disguise. Assuming that the palm leaf bundle needs to
be handed over to the king immediately, he himself decided to take the Adiyavar
along with him to the king’s chamber. Adiyavar stops Datta from stepping
inside.
Adiyavar
Senathipathi! This divine writings are not to be
pronounced in front of others.
He tells Datta to stand outside the door of the
King’s chamber.
Datta (to
himself)
My friend will be unhappy if I disobey the
Adiyavar’s order.
He stands outside the door with his sword drawn.
Awakened by the conversation between Datta and
Sivanadiyar, the queen nudges the king to wake up. Sathyarthan gets up and bows
to Sivanadiyar.
Muthanathan
(in the disguise of Sivanadiyar)
Mannavane! I am in possession of some precious
and rare scriptures which have been revealed by Easan Himself! I have come here
to teach them to you without loss of time.
For teaching such rare treasures, time is no constraint and this is the
time for it. When it is being imparted even your wife must not be around.
The king signals his wife to leave the chamber
and she also departs from there. After confirming that she has left the room,
Sivanadiyar addresses the king.
Adiyavar
Manna! What I am going to disclose is highly
valuable. You should stand on your knees
with your hands folded, mouth closed and hear it in great reverence with your
eyes closed.
Mannan
Adiyavare! I will do as you say.
He goes on his knees and closes his eyes waiting
for the disclosure of the scriptures by the Adiyavar.
Muthanathan opens the bundle and takes out a
dagger hidden in the palm leaves and stabs the king with all his strength.
Getting up in great agony and finding that the Sivanadiyar is none other than
Muthanathan in disguise he speaks.
Sathyarthan
(bowing to Muthanathan)
The only way to reach Brahmam is to show
compassion to fellow beings. The Siva
attire of yours is my ‘Meipporul’.
Muthanathan is dazed unable to decipher the
king’s utterance. Hearing the noise Datta enters the chamber. Finding that his
bosom friend, the king of Sedhinadu is lying in a pool of blood and recognising Muthanathan in disguise,
Datta charges at him with his sword.
Sathyarthan
(in supplication)
Pray Datta! Please!
Hailed by the king like this, Datta controls his
anger and looks at the king.
Datta (with
tears in his eyes)
I am unable to understand your appeal calling my
name with reverence. What am I to do?
Sathyarthan
Please take the adiyar with you and leave him in
his country making sure no harm comes to him from anyone. I will await your
return to hear the news from you that he has returned safely.
Datta (in
great anguish)
Ayyo! How can you revere this villain who came in
disguise and stabbed you on your back to take away your life?
Sathyarthan
Datta! Spare your abusive words! He is sporting
thiruneeru on his person and wearing Rudrakshams. He is none other than my
Lord!
Datta
(unable to disobey the king’s order)
Having darisanam of Sivanadiyar is as good as
having the darisanam of Easan Himself!
I will accompany him and leave him on the boundary of his country safely as per
your orders.
He leaves the king’s chamber and Muthanathan
follows him with his head down.
Meanwhile the news spreads that Muthanathan in
the guise of an adiyar has attacked the king!
People gather in front of the palace and stop
Datta and try to attack Muthanathan.
Datta
(unsheathing his sword)
The orders of the king are divine and supreme. To
uphold and follow his orders are our prime duty. As per the orders of the king,
I will accompany this adiyar and leave him on the borders of his kingdom.
Brushing aside the people who wanted to harm
Muthanathan, he leaves him on the frontiers of his country and returns to the
palace.
The queen, placing the king on her laps is
shedding copious tears. The distraught ministers and other staff of the palace
are crying. The guards are having a tough time in controlling the people who
want to come near the wounded king.
Datta reaches the king and bows to him.
Datta (in
tears)
Manna! My Lord! I have left the Adiyavar safely
on the frontier of his country as you have ordered.
Sathyarthan
Nanba! I have kept myself alive waiting to hear
the good news from you. Who else can render such a deed but you?
Now looking at his wife, the minister and the
others round he speaks.
Sathyarthan
Please ensure our progeny and our subjects always
remain steadfast in their faith on thiruneeru.
His body slides after saying this.
Suddenly there erupts a brilliant light to the
accompaniment of cymbals and dhundhubhi.
Ayyan and Ammai
appear there mounted on Nandi vahanam!
Sathyarthan bows to Easan with folded hands.
Datta and all others do likewise.
Easan
Meipporul Nayanare! The true path of love is to
save the life of others even at the cost of one’s own life. This is the path of
‘Dharma’ and the only path to reach the ‘Brahmam’. This is the true meaning of
life. This is nothing but ‘Meipporul’. You have demonstrated through your life
what the true meaning of ‘Meipporul’ is.
Son of the soil! Your name and
fame will remain forever. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as well!
Meipporul Nayanar merges into Easan with his
hands folded in supplication. The heavens open up with showers of flowers.
The bells of Easan’s temple toll auspiciously.
******
Thrukailayam…..
Easan is
seated with Annai Parvati.
Annai
(sadly)
I am unable to understand You at all. You merge
some Adiyars unto You along with their kith and kin. You let some of them
complete their life span on the earth.
You hug some of them and get them fused unto You! Here… Look at the wife
of Meipporul Nayanar. How will the young wife bear the separation of her
husband? You should have included her
also along with her husband.
Easan
Annaye! What did Meipporul Nayanar say looking at
his wife and others? He ordered ‘Please ensure our progeny and our subjects
always remain steadfast in their faith on thiruneeru’. His wife is now carrying
his progeny. How his orders would be implemented if we have taken his wife also
along with him? Do I have any right to
overrule the orders of an Adiyavar as I am in servitude of all Adiyars? Please
tell me!
Then…
Easan goes into silence and Annai gets up and
bows to Him with her eyes moistened!
Tiruchchitrambalam
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