546. The Siege That Failed

"We have not been able to conquer a tiny country, that doesn't have a strong army. Even after laying siege of the fort of  Kamudhi's capital for three months, we couldn't force our entry into the fort. We had to beat a shameful retreat. We have never faced such a humiliation in the past."

King Veeraakesary's outburst reflected his anger and frustration. Members of the King's Council assembled in the court received the king's words, with their jaws down, 

"Tell me, minister. How did we lose to a tiny country? Did we not plan the attack properly?"

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. You may recall that I had opined that it was not wise to launch this attack and had suggested that we resolve the issues we have with Kamudhi, through talks" said the minister, somewhat reluctantly.

"You have never supported any of our war proposals. Being a pacifist, you spoke against our going to war with Kamudhi. But, you didn't say that we won't succeed, if we invaded Kamudhi!" retorted Veerakesari.

"That was also one of the reasons for my opposing the war against Kamudhi" said the minister, in a feeble voice. But, the words uttered by him in a low tone didn't reach the king's ears.

Veerakesary now turned his attention to the Head of the Secret Service and asked him, "You had given a report stating that Kamudhi had only a small army and that the country didn't possess an adequate quantity of weapons!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. If the war had taken place, their army couldn't have able to withstand the might of our army, even for a day. But, there was no war, since we couldn't enter the fort" said the Secret Service Head.

"That is true. Their troops didn't open the gates of the fort and come out to fight with us, even after a three months' siege of their fort by our army. There wouldn't have been adequate food for the people, living in the capital city, situated inside the fort. Citizens of that country living outside the fort also had no fear of our army and stubbornly refused to offer any help to our forces. I am amazed by the fierce loyalty of the people of Kumudhi to their king. What do you think of this, minister?" asked Veerakesary, turning to the minister.

"Noticing a sight lessening of the severity in the king's tone, the minister said, "Your Majesty! We should acknowledge the fact that the king of Kamudhi is a just ruler, who has been focusing on the welfare of his people and safeguarding their interests. Even you have admired him for this, while conversing with us. It is only natural that people will be extremely loyal to such a king. That is why we could not conquer him, even though he didn't have a large army or an arsenal of weapons matching what we have. Wise men of lore have proclaimed that a king's sceptre is more powerful than the spear of his opponent. That was the reason for my dissuading you against launching this attack."

The minister looked at the king to gauge how he would have taken his words.

The king's silence indicated that he appreciated the truth in the minister's words. 

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 546 (in Tamil):

vElanRu venRi tharuvadhu mannavan
kOl adhUm kOdAdhu enin.

Meaning:

It is not the spear that gives victory; it is the king’s sceptre,

the one that never tilts unjustly.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vElai venRa kOl' by the same author.)

Verse 547 (Soon)

Verse 545

545. The King's 'Night Outs'

"I hear that our king has been going out during the nights!"

"I also heard about it. He goes out, even without the knowledge of the king's personal security guards. It seems that the security guards come to know about the king's leaving the palace, only after he returns to the palace. The guards have been having a tough time, unable to make out when the king would leave the palace and when he would return. They couldn't ask the king, either!"

"Well, it is not appropriate for us to talk about this topic. If someone happens to hear us, we will be in trouble. Let us carry on with our work."

The two palace employees who had the above exchange, when they met each other on the street, went their ways.

"I have convened this advisory council, for an important reason. I am going to pose some questions. You should answer the questions truthfully. Even if I am at fault, you shouldn't hesitate to say so" said the king.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" said the minister. "But, before you ask your questions, will you permit me to ask you one question?"

"I know what your question is going to be. The questions I intend to ask you are related to the question you have in your mind. When you finish answering my questions, you will find that your question is answered too! Now, tell me what people say about my rule?"

"Your Majesty! It is well known that under your rule, people are happy and cheerful" said the minister.

"This is not an answer to my question" said the king, with a smile. He then turned to the Secret Service Chief and asked him, "I want you to answer this question." 

Having not expected the king to pose this question to him directly, the Secret Service Chief, stood up from his seat with a jolt and said, "Your Majesty! Except for a few, people have generally been talking in praise of your rule."

''I want to know what those few have been talking." 

"Your Majesty! There will always be a section of people, complaining and finding fault. After all, even Rama* was not spared!" said the minister.

"But Rama did not ignore the criticism. He acted on the criticism by taking an action which he considered appropriate" said the king. 

He then turned the Secret Service Chief and asked him, "Tell me what grievances were mentioned by people in their conversations."

"Nothing particular, Your Majesty. In general, people don't have any grievances. But as per the inputs I got from my men, some people feel that those who commit crimes are not brought to book, that even when they are caught, they are not punished appropriately and that consequently, some bad elements have been committing crimes, without fear. But, as the minister said, there will always be some people, trying to find some fault or other."

"You don't have to hesitate to tell me what your men told you. As your men told you, I myself have heard people airing such views" said the king.

"You have heard such talks!" exclaimed the minister.

"Yes, minister. I heard such talks, when I went out during some nights, in disguise. The question you had wanted to ask me was about my going out alone in the nights, wasn't it? And, you got the answer to your question, didn't you?" asked the king, looking at the minister with a chuckle.

"Pardon me for saying this, Your Majesty. This kind of criticism is voiced by people, who have no understanding of the justice delivery system in our kingdom. Let us not give any importance to this kind of thoughtless remarks" said the minister

"No, minister. I don't want to view this criticism lightly. As you know, there is a widespread belief among the people that if a king provides good rule, the country will have a regular monsoon and that the crops will grow well. Last year, we didn't have a good monsoon. As a result, the crops have withered and the output of foodgrains has fallen steeply. So, thinking that this might have resulted from some deficiency in my rule, I decided to visit some parts of the country, in disguise and listen to what people feel and say about my rule."

"Your Majesty! As you know, these kinds of beliefs are not rational. Viswamitra was a great king. But during his tenure as the king, his country faced a severe amine."

"What you say is true. But, when we come to know that people have some grievances, is it not our duty to redress them? Issue an order to all officials that wherever there is a wrongdoing, they should take strict action on those who commit such wrongdoings. The Secret Service Chief should bring all the grievances being expressed by people in their conversations, to the notice of the minister, whether the grievances are trivial or grave. And the minister should take action to redress them. This is my strict order." said the king.

The minister and the Secret Service Chief nodded their heads quietly.

Suddenly, there was a gust of heavy wind. Many doors of the windows in the palace were shut with a bang, by the force of wind.

"Your Majesty! I think there is going to be a heavy downpour!" said the minister, with excitement.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 545 (in Tamil):

iyalbuLik kOlOchchum mannavan nAtta

peyalum viLaiyuLum thokku..

Meaning:

In the state of the king who rules justly, as befits a king,

even monsoons and harvests will happen unfailingly.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nagarvalam' by the same author.)

Verse 546

Verse 544

544. The Gesture By the Sages

"I feel honoured and delighted that so many sages and scholars from various countries have come here to greet me, on my completing ten years of my incarnation as the king. At the same time, this is also a bit embarrassing to me.

"This may be an important day for me. But, it is surprising to me that wise men, sages and even the Rajagurus* of some kings have come here, to felicitate me. My minister Amaruvi has arranged for this event, keeping it a surprise for me. I may be sacking him, after this event is over!" said King Trilokachandran and looked at Amaruvi, with a smile.

Pungava, one of the most respected sages present there, told the king, "Oh, king! The entire world commends you, for nurturing your citizens like a mother and protecting them like a father. Even monarchs of other countries admire your rule and have sent their Rajagurus to felicitate you. Your minister organized this function, only in deference to the wishes of all of us."

"Oh, noble souls! I am grateful to you for your kindness and goodwill and for coming here to bless me. I want to prostrate at the feet of all of you. I request all of you to stand together, so that I can fall at your feet, by way of showing my respect to you, and expressing my gratitude to you for your love and affection towards me and for your goodwill and wishes."

Trilokachandran walby way of showing myked towards the gathering.

"Wait, king. Before you pay obeisance to us, there is something we need to do. Twelve of us, the oldest among us, want to make an offering to you, on behalf of all of us assembled here. After accepting our offering, you may pay obeisance to us, as desired by you" said Pungava.

Twelve elderly sages stepped forward and stood before the king. They then fell at his feet.

Startled by what the sages had done, the king stepped back, exclaiming, "Oh, my God! What is this? You are erudite ascetics, who deserve to be worshipped by the entire world. How can you prostrate before me!"

"Oh, king! A king who rules in such a way that his sceptre always remains straight, deserves to be worshipped by the entire world. We worshipped you on behalf of the entire world" said Pungava.

"Your Majesty! The ancient epic Tholkappiyam says, 'The wise men represent the world.' These noble men paying their obeisance to you amounts to the whole world paying its obeisance to you" said Amaruvi, the Minister.

* Rajaguru is a an erudite person whom the king considers his mentor and guide.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 544 (in Tamil):

kudi tazhIk kOlOchchum mAnila mannan
adi thazhI niRkum ulagu.

Meaning:

The world will embrace the feet of the ruler,

who embraces his people and renders justice.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'munivargaLin seyal' by the same author.)

Verse 545

Verse 543

543. The Guru's Mission

"Guruji! Why do we migrate to a different country, every two or three years?" asked Vinayan.

"As you know, my mission is to spread the philosophy of my Guru to the entire world. That is why I visit country after country, propagate my Guru's philosophy, establish centres there for continuing this work and hand over the centres to scholars who have learned our philosophy thoroughly, entrusting with them the responsibility of running the centres and continuing to spread our philosophy. After completing my mission in one country, I move to another country. Wherever I go, I take you along with me, since, after my time, I want you take over my role and continue my mission" said the Guru.

"I think there is a lot of time for it" said Vinayan.

"We have just entered the Malava country. I will be sitting under this tree. Go into this town and explore how many schools of scriptures are there. Find out whether we can stay in one of them. Also find out how many educational institutions and charitable institutions offering free food are there. And, get some food or us".

"Are we going to propagate our philosophy in educational and charitable institutions also?"

"I will tell you, after you gather the details" said the Guru.

Vinayan returned after a while and told the Guru, "Guruji! There are only a few schools of scriptures in this place, but, all of them present a deserted look. Only a small number of students are attending the classes. When I talked to the people there, they said that not many people were interested in learning the scriptures and that nor were there many people interested in teaching scriptures, either. There is only one educational institution. But, it is not functioning now. The building is in dilapidated condition. This place has no charitable institutions, offering free food to the poor. People told me that there is just one person, who has been providing free food to pilgrims and other people visiting this place. I brought some food from that person." 

"Well. Let us eat, rest for a while in the shadow of this tree and then move to some other place and see how things are there" said the Guru.

After three days, the Guru told Vinaya, "This country is not suitable to us. Citizens of this country are not in a state of mind to receive spiritual knowledge. Let us go to some other country and pursue our mission" said the Guru.

"You have the practice of meeting the king of the country we visit. But, we are leaving this country, without visiting the king!" pointed out Vinayan.

"The sceptre of the king of this country is not straight. So, there will be no point in meeting the king."

"But no one complained to us about the king!"

"What is it that we saw, during three days we have been in this country? The scriptures are not being taught. They are not being recited, either. Activities like giving education to the people, feeding the poor and the pilgrims etc. are not being carried out. Only if the king's rule is just and fair, activities like imparting education to people through teaching them books of knowledge and wisdom and charitable activities will take place. It is not surprising that people have not complained to us about the king's rule. It is only natural that people will be afraid to complain, when they are under tyrannical rule" said the Guru.

"That is why we have to leave this country after three days, against our practice of staying in a country for three years!" said Vinayan.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 543 (in Tamil):

andhaNar nURkum aRaththiRkum AdhiyAy
ninRadhu mannavan kOl.

Meaning:

The scriptures that scholars write and the virtues they extol,

have their roots in the sceptre of the ruler.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nAdu vittu nAdu enRu' by the same author.)

Verse 544

Verse 542

542. Straight and Crooked!

"Welcome, Bard Sevvandhi! You are visiting my court after a long gap. I have seen you frequenting the court during my father's time. But after I ascended the throne, you are visiting me only now, after about a year" said King Magizhmaran. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. on the occasion of your carnation, I came to the palace, to felicitate you, After that, I didn't get an opportunity to visit your court" said Sevvandhi.

"Very well. You have the distinction of being one of the most renowned poets of our country and you have been making women pride. You may read out the poem you have composed. I am eager to listen to your poem."

After Sevvandhi recited her poem, every one in the court gave her an ovation.

"Excellent poem, Sevvandhi. But, as you know, I am not proficient in literary appreciation, as my father was. So, you may explain the meaning of the verse to me" said Magizhmaran, smiling.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. I think it will be better if the minister explains the meaning of this poem to you, rather than I do it" said Sevvandhi, looking at the minister with a smile. "And, I think it will be better if the minister explains it to you leisurely, when you are alone, relaxing. I seek Your Majesty's permission to leave."

"Wait! I have not yet given you the reward for this poem."

"It is alright, Your Majesty. I will take the reward, when I meet you next time."

Sevvandhi paid obeisance to the king by putting her palms together and left.

Magizhmaran began to reflect.

"Tell me, minister! What is the meaning of the poem read out by Sevvandhi?" Magizhmaran asked the minister, when the two were alone.

"The crops, withering due to the failure of the rain to arrive, are looking at the sky, craving for the rain drops to fall. But, there are only white clouds on the sky, not the dark clouds that would deliver rain. The citizens are looking at the king's sceptre. The sceptre is straight, but its shadow is crooked and looks like a dark cloud crawling on the ground. This is the meaning of the poem" said the minister.

"I understand the meaning of the verse, alright. But, I think the verse has a hidden meaning too. There have been no rains in our country. Not only the crops, but also the people are looking at the sky, hoping for the appearance of dark clouds that would deliver rain. I am aware of this. But, why does the poet bring in the sceptre here? What does she mean by saying that the sceptre is straight, but that its shadow is crooked? Does she refer to the the oppression of the heat generated due to the hot weather? Does the description of the shadow of the sceptre as resembling a dark cloud signify that the sceptre is compassionate? Or, is there any sarcasm in the verse? Why did the poet suggest that I get the meaning of the verse from you, when I would be alone?"

"Your Majesty! You may not like the explanation for the poem given by me. That is why the poet suggested that you hear it from me, when you are alone. The poet says that as crops are looking up to the sky and that citizens are looking up to the king's spectre, believing that it would protect them, but implies that this has not happened. That's why she says that though the spectre is straight, its shadow is crooked!"

The minister paused.

"What do you mean, minister" asked the king, shocked by the minister's explanation.

"Your Majesty! I have tried to being the situation to your notice, a few times. But since I adopted a cautious approach and only hinted at the issues, lest you shouldn't get upset, I have perhaps not conveyed the message to you, effectively."

"Whatever the issues are, tell me about them directly. I will hear you with an open mind."

"Your Majesty, you are a person with a heart of gold. But, some people close to you - people belonging to the royal family - have been indulging in certain wrongdoings, with the connivance of a few officials. When there is a severe famine in the country, officials have been adopting high-handed methods to force people to pay taxes. Some members of the royal family have been misusing the funds in the palace treasury and spending money lavishly on luxuries."

"Why didn't you stop such things from happening?" asked the king, angrily.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty! When things are done in Your Majesty's name, how can I stop them. The Treasurer told me that he was collecting taxes and authorizing expenses, as directed by Your Majesty. I know that Your Majesty wouldn't have authorized such things. But I was not sure, if I told Your Majesty that some members of the royal family have been indulging in such practices how would Your Majesty take it!"

"Oh! That's why the poet said 'the spectre is straight, but its shadow is crooked!' Does his comparing the shadow to a dark cloud convey that I am a person with compassion?"

"That is how I have understood it, Your Majesty!"

"Fine. I will reprimand my family members and ask them to be restrained. I will advise the Treasurer to stop collecting the taxes and distribute the grains in the palace granary to the poor. I will issue an order that government officials should not do anything, without getting the approval from me or you. Arrange for an early meeting of the king's court. Let us discuss how we can help people during this grim situation and ensure that their suffering is mitigated to the maximum possible extent."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. You have once again proved that your spectre would never bend. Like your father, you will also be held in high esteem and loved by the people" said the minister, feeling overwhelmed by the king's response.

"But, minister! I have a question?"

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"Was the poem written by the poet on her own, or did someone suggested the theme of the poem to her?" asked the king, with a mischievous smile.

"Your Majesty! I have to carry out the tasks given to me by you. May I take your live?"

The minister bowed to the king and slipped away.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 542 (in Tamil):

vAn nOkki vAzhum ulagelAm mannavan
kOl nOkki vAzhum kudi.

Meaning:

The world survives, looking up to the skies for rain;

the people live, looking up to their ruler’s sceptre for justice.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vaLaindha nizhal' by the same author.)

Verse 543

Verse 541

1128. Your Coffee Is Getting Cold!

"Our daughter drinks coffee several times a day, the way men do" said Sabhapathy.

"Why? Shouldn't women drink coffee often?" asked his wife Sivakami.

"You find fault with me for asking you to get me coffee quite often. That's why I mentioned it as a habit of men."

"If a person like you, who is sitting at home idle, needs coffee quite often, shouldn't a person like me, spending a lot of time in the kitchen need coffee? I too would take coffee now and then, when I am working in the kitchen!"

"So that's the way it is! It seems only I should face flak from you, for drinking coffee several times a day!" said Sabhapathy.

Seeing their daughter Selvi coming from the kitchen with a coffee tumbler in her hand, Sabhapathy asked her, "How many cups of coffee you had today so far?"

Selvi just smiled and sipped the coffee relishing its taste and flavour.

"Selvi! Drinking coffee is ok. But why do you drink it so hot? The coffee is so hot that you have to hold the tumbler with a cloth. If the coffee passes through your throat so hot, will your throat withstand the heat?" asked Sivakami.

"It is so soothing. Haven't you heard the saying, 'heat will add to the taste.'"

"Oh! It is a saying everyone should know!" said Sabhapathy, laughing.

"What Selvi? You have stopped taking coffee often. Moreover, you take it lukewarm or even cold like water. Why is this change?" asked Sivakami.

"Did you not say that drinking it very hot may hurt the throat?"

"But, you countered me with the saying that heat adds to taste!"

"Well. I find that lukewarm coffee has also a taste of its own. Moreover, I want to cut down my intake of coffee. If I drink the coffee lukewarm, I don't feel like drinking it often."

"I don't understand. You young girls keep changing your whims every day!" said Sivakami.

When Selvi was drinking coffee sitting in a restaurant with Murugan, Murugan asked her, "You used to take coffee very hot. I have seen you retuning the coffee to the server, saying that it was not hot enough and asking him to bring it steaming hot. But, nowadays, you let the coffee get cold and then drink it? Why is this change?"

"It is just for a change. There can't be a reason for every thing" said Selvi.

"I am sure there is a reason. But you won't tell me. I have been observing you from the time we started being close. You keep several things to yourself. You should be called 'Secretive Selvi!'"

"I hold YOU in your heart, not secrets!' quipped Selvi. 

'Since I hold you in my heart, I am worried that if I drink something hot, the heat will affect you. That's why I have contained my desire to drink coffee hot and been getting accustomed to drink it lukewarm or cold. But If say this is the reason for the change in my habit, will anyone including Murugan believe me?' thought Selvi.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 113
In Praise of Love

Verse 1128 (in Tamil):
nenjaththAr kAdhal avarAga veythuNdal
anjudhum vEbakku aRindhu.

Meaning:

My lover dwells inside my heart. If I take anything hot, he will feel the heat. So, I am apprehensive of taking foods that are hot.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'ARiya kAppi' by the same author.)

Verse 1129 (Soon)
Verse 1127

541. Caught Red-Handed!

"Your majesty! This is a simple case. The thief has been caught red-handed. The judge has heard the case and delivered his judgement. The stolen article has also been recovered. Should you have to hear the case again?" asked the minister.

"You are aware how the hasty judgement of Pandya king Nedunchezhiyan resulted in sentencing the innocent Kovalan to death and the consequent tragedy of Madurai city going into flames, ignited by the righteous indignation of Kovalan's wife Kannagi, who demanded justice for her wronged husband. I have created the system of appeal, only to ensure that such an event should never happen in our country. In most of the cases, the people concerned accept the verdict of the judge. Only a few people, who feel that they have not got a fair verdict, choose to appeal. There is nothing wrong in giving another chance to the appellants" said the king. "Has the judge who heard the case come?" he continued.

When the judge arrived at his court, the king asked him to sit down and told him, "You are a wise and learned man with considerable experience in hearing cases. I have no doubt that you gave the verdict, only after ascertaining the facts through a thorough enquiry and weighing the evidence presented to you. However, since the person convicted by you has appealed against his conviction, the three of us - yourself, the Minister and me - are together going to review the facts of the case."

"Yes, Your Majesty" said the judge.

"Ok. Tell me the facts of the case."

"When a woman named Kanthamani was walking on the street, a man who was hiding somewhere in the street, suddenly came near her, snatched the necklace worn by her and ran away. People in the neighbourhood, on hearing the woman's cries, chased the thief. One of them caught the thief and took away the chain from him. Presently, other people also arrived at the place. They handed over the thief to the guards" said the judge.

"Oh, such a simple case!" remarked the king. "What did the accused say?"

"The name of the accused is Neelavan. He lives on the street, where the crime took place. He said that he was sleeping at his usual place on the street and that on hearing the noise, ran to the place to find out what was happening. He claims that people had mistaken him to be thief and caught him." 

"In that case, how did the necklace come into his possession?" asked the minister, in a tone of derision.

"He didn't admit that the necklace was in his possession, or that it was taken away from him." 

"Did anyone witness the person who caught Neelavan, grabbing the necklace from him?" asked the king.

"No, Your Majesty. People only saw a man catching Neelavan. I think it was not possible for people who were running towards the spot from behind to have seen the man grabbing the necklace from Neelavan." said the judge, somewhat reluctantly.

"Who was the person who caught Neelavan?"

"His name is Soman. He is a small merchant. He is a dignified person, respected in the society."

"Let me ask you one question. If the accused had been a dignified person and the person who caught him a man living on the street and if the accused had claimed that he didn't steal the necklace, what would you have done?" asked the king.

The judge hesitated for a moment and then said, "I would have considered whether his claim could have been true."

"When the person caught is one who lives on the street, we readily conclude that he should be the culprit! Ask the guards to check the background of Soman. Come and meet me after this enquiry is over" said the King.

The judge met the king after two days. 

He told the king, "Please  pardon me, Your Majesty! My finding was wrong. When I checked the background of Soman as per your advice, I learnt that he has huge debts. When the guards interrogated him, he confessed that it was he who snatched the necklace from the woman. Driven by an urge to raise money to meet the demand of some of his pressing debtors, he had, on an impulse, snatched the necklace of Kanthamani, thinking that since it was a lonely street, he would be able to escape, after snatching the necklace. But, when he saw that people were chasing him, he caught hold of a man running across the street and pretended to have grabbed the necklace from him. If you permit me, I will reverse my verdict, by releasing Neelavan and convicting Soman."

"You may do accordingly. To err is human. So, there is no need for you to feel bad about your coming to a wrong conclusion. Bear it in mind that you should focus on finding the truth, without having the background of any person in your mind" said the king.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 55

The Right Sceptre

Verse 541 (in Tamil):

Orndhu kaNOOdAdhu iRai purindhu yAr mAttum
thErndhu seyvahdhE muRai.

Meaning:

Investigating intensely, leading fairly without unduly favoring anyone, analysing and acting, constitute justice.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mARiya thIrppu' by the same author.)

Verse 542

Verse 540