The Minister looked at the King with the mixed feelings of perplexity and concern.
The Minister observed that despite conquering several kingdoms and establishing himself as an Emperor, King Suryakeerthi, of late, appeared to be concerned about something. The King often revealed his concerns through cryptic remarks.
The Minister was unable to discern the reasons for the King's concerns. He was also reluctant to ask the King what he was concerned about. He hoped that someday, the King himself would share his concerns with him.
But, that day never arrived. King Suryakeerthi passed away.
"Your Majesty! Your late father conquered some countries and made them a part of our country. In the case of some other countries, he allowed the kings of those countries to continue to be the rulers, but made them our subjugates. They were required to pay a part of the tax money collected by them to us. They have been doing so. Your father would often visit those countries, meet the people and interact with them. Citizens of those countries loved your father so much that they did not consider him a conqueror, but a benign emperor, having power over their kings. It is my suggestion that like your father, you also visit those countries, meet the people and interact with them. Such visits will ensure that the bond your father ha established with those people remains intact" Mazhavaroyar told the new king Veeraman.
"I don't see any need for such visits, Minister. There are officials at local levels, looking after the administration and fulfilling the needs of people. That is enough" said Veeraman.
Mazhavaroyar thought that he would broach the subject again, after some time. But, when he did, Veeraman gave the same reply.
Veeraman chose to confine himself to the palace and enjoy life, by indulging in exotic food, drinks and the company of women.
"Your Majesty! Some of the kings in our empire have been creating trouble, by being defiant and defaulting on the payments to be made to us. There are also some disturbances in some regions within our country. If you visit those places once, meet the people, listen to their grievances and assure them that their grievances will be looked into, people will give up their protests. In the same way, if you visit the countries whose kings are creating problems and talk to the kings, they will become compliant" said Mazhavaroyar.
"If the king has to personally attend to everything, why do we have the officials? And why do I have you as the Minister?" asked Veeraman nonchalantly and retired to his chamber.
Mazhavaroyar realized that expecting Veeraman to safeguard the country would be foolish.
'I should make all efforts I could, within my powers and strive to bring things under control. Otherwise, the empire created by Suryamurthy may perish even during the time of his son' thought the Minister.
He recalled the cryptic words of the late King, "Not only the past, but also the future will get recorded in history."
The meaning of the King's words began to unravel in the mind of Mazhavaroyar. Suryamurthy had made that statement, only because he had known about his son's lazy attitude and passive nature. That was why he was concerned.
Suryamurthy made that statement out of his concern that the empire created by him could wither away during the tenure of his son. That was the meaning of his remark that the future developments would also be a part of history.
The Minister began to worry that Suryamurthy's fears could become true.
Section 2
madi madik kondu ozhugum pEdhai piRandha
kudi madiyum thanninum mundhu.
Verse 602
No comments:
Post a Comment