CHAPTER 40 

AN ARGUMENT 

The moon shone its pearly-white rays onto the earth, turning midnight into bright day. The boats rowed across the river and reached the opposite banks.

Maamallar did not speak a word during this journey. Over-flowing with the satisfaction of a love fulfilled, his heart preferred to wander in a perfect dream-world.

Once the war was at an end – once he had destroyed the venomous Vathapi forces and worn the vaagai garland on his shoulders, a sign of his victory – he would spend many, many happy days in Kanchi, with his beloved Sivakami by his side. On a radiant, moonlit night such as this, he would take her with him on the river Paalaaru in a boat, and their days would be filled with the delight of love and companionship.

The boat landed on shore with a thud – and Maamallar, too, arrived on earth from his fantasy world.  His eyes fell on the rishaba flag at a little distance, fluttering in the breeze, and the Pallava army gathered around it. A great many of the soldiers who had accompanied him at first were now part of the contingent, and his heart swelled with delight at the sight of them.

Suddenly, he was reminded of someone he had not seen, for a while. “Commander, where is Kannabiraan?” he asked, as he climbed out of the boat. “Didn’t he want to come with you?”

“Of course he did,” affirmed Commander Paranjyothi. “But I told him to stay here and feed the horses. We’ll have to travel six kaadhams at a stretch, won’t we?”

As they approached the Pallava forces, jubilant shouts of “Long live the Crown Prince!” and “Long live Maamallar the Valiant!” rose from a thousand throats and echoed around them.

One warrior among those present, stepped forward.

“Varathunga, what news?” asked Paranjyothi.

“Sometime after you left the camp, two soldiers arrived on horseback. They took Kannabiraan and his chariot with them along with ten soldiers, and left –”

“What?” exclaimed Paranjyothi, in consternation. “They took Kannabiraan with them?”

“Yes, Commander. They said that they were on an urgent mission to Kanchi –”

“And who were these soldiers?”

Varathungan hesitated. “One of them gave his name as Vajrabahu. The other was the Espionage Chief of the Pallavas, Sathrugnan. I sent Kannabiraan and the soldiers they needed because they showed me the lion insignia. Here is the videl-vidugu they gave me, to be shown to the Commander.” He handed a palm-leaf to Paranjyothi.

At the mention of “Vajrabahu,” Paranjyothi and Maamallar shared a covert glance. Both realized that the Pallava Emperor had just paid the camp a visit.

Paranjyothi received the palm-leaf in a hurry and read it under the moonlight. It carried the following message:

“To the Pallava Commander Paranjyothi, from Mahendra Potharaiyan: I am well. Dhurvineedhan has been imprisoned in the Mazhavarayar Fort. I hear that the Vathapi forces have progressed beyond Thirupathi. Depart for Kanchi with Maamallan, without a moment’s pause. Should Maamallan refuse to accompany you, show him this message, imprison him, and bring him to Kanchi.”

A vidai-vel insignia was etched underneath these words. Below, the message continued:

“If, by some mischance, the fortress gates are closed at the time of your arrival, kindly meditate upon the endless grace and bounty of Lord Buddha.”

When Paranjyothi finished reading, he passed the palm-leaves to Maamallar, who read it in his turn, and returned them to the Commander.

“Well, Scion of the Pallava dynasty? Prepared to come with us without protest?” asked Paranjyothi gaily. “Or must I give an order to imprison you?”

“Indeed you must,” said Maamallar, removing the ornaments around his neck, and throwing away the sword strapped to his waist. “Far better to be your prisoner in this country, where warriors stay within the fort and avoid their enemies like cowards.”

Instantly, Paranjyothi threw his head-dress and sword to the ground as well. “I too, refuse to continue as Commander of the Pallava forces. Why would I wish to fight for the honour of a Prince who leaves his men in the lurch, and follows a dancing-girl, pleading for her love? I may as well chant Nama Parvathi Pathaye! Hara Hara Mahadeva! and go on a pilgrimage in the country. I’m leaving right away. You and your precious armies may drown themselves, for all I care!”

Maamallar stared at the ground for long minutes. He looked up at the sky for a few more.

“Let us leave right away, Commander. This is not the time to quarrel amongst ourselves, after all,” he said, finally. “Our enemies are approaching Kanchi by the second. If we can’t defend her, what’s the point of our being called warriors, holding weapons in our hands? I shall petition my father not to close the fortress doors, and to meet our foes in battle outside the city. You’ll support me, won’t you?”

Paranjyothi spent a moment in thought. “My Lord – Emperor Mahendra Pallavar is your beloved father. You may ask, cajole or fight with him over anything. You are his son, and you have the right to do so. But the Pallavendra isn’t just my father, my Emperor and Commander – he’s my God. His will is my command. I can’t say or do anything to countermand his wishes – I don’t wish to, either. But if you do gain your father’s permission to fight our enemies outside the city, then know that I will be a step ahead of you. As long as my body holds a spark of life, I swear that I shall never renege on this promise!”

The two friends climbed horses that stood saddled and ready for travel, and galloped away to Kalviyil Karaiyillaa Kanchi, the peerless City of Learning. 

Glossary:

Videl-Vidugu: A combination of three Thamizh words: Vidai (Rishaba, or Bull) – Vel (Spear) and Vidugu (Missive). These were usually used on high-profile missions in the Pallava Empire, to convey information to those in positions of authority.

Kalviyil Karaiyilla Kanchi: A phrase that is used to describe the endless avenues of learning that Kanchipuram possessed. Literally, “A city that has no end to learning.”