"Respected Kapilar! The visit of a renowned scholar like you to our court is a great honour to us" said the King.
"Not at all, Your Majesty! I have been visiting several countries. I have a mission of touring various countries, and learning about their people and heritage" said Kapilar.
"You are welcome to stay in our country as long as you want. You may visit any part of our country. I have directed my officials to facilitate your travel arrangements and provide accommodation to you at any place you want to stay. One palace official will always be with you, to take care of your needs" said the King.
After a few months, Kapilar visited the palace again, to meet the king.
"Welcome, sir! Hope your tour was comfortable and enjoyable. Please tell me about your impressions about our country. Which country do you propose to visit next?" asked the King.
"Your Majesty! After touring your country, I have developed a desire to live in your country. If you permit me, I will spend the rest of my life in this country" said Kapilar.
"That will be a blessing to me, sir! In fact, I wanted to request you to permanently settle in our country. But, since you told me that your mission was to visit different countries and study them, I was reluctant to request you to take up residence in our country.. I am delighted by your decision to settle down in our country."
"Your Majesty! Some people call me an erudite person. But, I consider my learning to be limited. Yet, I want to share what little I have learnt with people who have a quest for knowledge and motivate them to spread what they have learnt to other people. I need a serene place to reside and carry out my mission.
"In my native country, the King's kin were conspiring against him. The King was unaware of it, but the people knew about it and lived in the constant fear of an impending instability that would result from the conspirators deposing the King. So, I left my country and went in search of a peaceful place to settle down.
"I migrated to a neighbouring country. Soon after my leaving my native country, the conspirators murdered the King and seized power. But, with the new King distrusting his co-conspirators and feeling insecure, instability still reigns supreme there.
"In the country I migrated to, the King was strong. But, there were many groups in the country and they were fighting among themselves. Because of this, an atmosphere of perpetual unrest prevailed there. Therefore, I moved out of that country too.
"I went to another country. In that country, crimes were rife. The King's attention was entirely occupied by chasing the culprits, catching them and punishing them. He had no time or energy to look at the needs of the people and fulfill them.
"Then I came to your country. Since I didn't know how things were in your country, I told you that I had intended to stay in your country, only for a few days. But, during my tour, I found that your country is the paragon of an ideal country. The King is strong and powerful. There is unity among the people. There are no group rivalries or factional fights. As a result of your good governance, crimes have been kept under control. After learning these facts during my tour, I decided to settle down in this country and carry out my mission of imparting knowledge to interested people."
"If I am elated by your decision to settle down in our country, I am overwhelmed with joy and pride by your decision to establish a centre of learning in our country. I will ensure that you are provided with all facilities required by you for carrying out your mission of imparting knowledge to people. By choosing to stay in our country, you have honoured me and our people" said King, feeling proud.
Section 2
The Country
pal kuzhuvum pAzh seyyum utpagaiyum vEndhalaikkum
kol kuRumbum illadha nAdu.
Verse 734
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