736. A New Beginning

Kalivaradhan, the King of Sundara country, who had been displaying a hostile attitude towards Salya country for long, suddenly sent a goodwill message to Magizhvanan, the King of Salya, expressing his desire to establish a peaceful relationship between the two countries.

Magizhvanan welcomed the proposal of Kalivaradhan, and invited him to visit his country.

Accepting Magizhvanan's invitation, Kalivaradhan visited Salya country.

Magizhvanan received Kalivaradhan warmly. Even before the two kings could sit together for talks, Magizhvanan took Kalivaradhan on a tour of his country.

"King Magizhvanan! I visited your country, only to discuss with you in person, the issues between us and find solutions to them. But you have taken me on a tour to various regions of your country!" said Kalivaradhan, appreciating Magizhvanan's gesture.

"King Kalivaradhan! What is your impression of our country?" asked Magizhvanan, with a smile.

"Your country is prosperous. I could see that the people are happy, energetic and enthusiastic. I observed that agricultural and manufacturing activities were on full swing."

Observing that Kalivaradhan's face expression suddenly turned sullen, Magizhvanan asked him, "What is wrong, King Kalivaradhan?"

"I could not help comparing the state of my country with yours. My country has been ravished by frequent wars. My people are gripped by poverty. You have also fought quite a few wars. How is it that your country has not been affected by the consequences of war?"

"We also suffered the consequences of wars. But we managed to overcome them. We have always tried to avert wars. We had no occasion to engage in a war with any country other than yours" said Magizhvanan, looking at the eyes of Kalivaradhan.

"I understand what you are trying to convey. I have been engaged in wars with all my neighbouring countries. It is only after realizing that my country had been devastated by frequent wars did I decide to make peace with my neighbouring countries. I have begun to make efforts to end hostilities and establish peaceful relationships with all my neighours" said Kalivaradhan. His tone betrayed a sense of remorse. 

"Whatever might have happened in the past, I commend you for your decision to desist from engaging in wars in future. You can take pride in having taken this bold decision, after clear thinking. I feel happy that we have become friends. I am confident that using our friendship and goodwill, both of us can work towards the progress of our countries" said Magihhvanan, touching Kalivaradhan's shoulder.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 74
Divining the Mind

Verse 736 (in Tamil):
kEdu aRiyAk ketta idaththum vaLam kunRA
nAdu enba NAttin thalai.

Meaning:
A country that faces no harm from its enemies and even if it does, suffers no erosion in its resources is the foremost among nations.

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

Verse 735
Verse 733