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

Verse 545