Ponniyin Selvan

Dear readers, come aboard the boat of imagination and journey down the boundless river of time with us. Let's traverse a century in every second and arrive at the distant past, even a thousand years before our present.

In the southern region of Thiru-Munaipadi, located between the Thondai and Chozla Kingdoms, lies a vast body of water that resembles an ocean, known as Veera Narayana Lake. Although its name has been altered over time, it remains a stunning sight and a testament to the ingenuity of our Tamil ancestors.

During the windy months of Aadi-Aavani (August), when the reservoir overflows with new floods, one cannot help but be impressed by the remarkable achievements of our forefathers. Did they only work for their own benefit and that of their contemporaries, or did they complete tasks that would benefit countless generations to come in our beloved land?

On the 18th day of the month of Aadi, a young warrior from the Vaanar clan, Vallavarayan Vandiya Devan, rode his horse down the banks of Veera Narayana Lake. Despite his exhaustion from traveling a long distance, he took in the vastness of the reservoir, entranced by its beauty.

During the Aadi month festival of Padhinettam Perukku, the rivers in the Chozla Kingdom would swell with floodwaters that reached both banks, while the lakes fed by these rivers overflowed with waves that crashed against their embankments. The North Cauvery River, also known as Kollidam, rushed into Veera Narayana Lake through the Vadavaaru stream, turning the once placid lake into a turbulent sea.

Seventy-four floodgates on the lake distributed the precious water to far-flung areas of the countryside through aqueducts, enabling activities such as plowing, sowing, and seed transplanting to take place as far as the eye could see. The music of farmers singing while they plowed and women transplanting created a harmonious and joyful melody.

As Vandiya Devan rode along the embankment, he counted the floodgates to determine if the popular claim of seventy-four was true. After riding for about one and a half leagues, he counted seventy gates. He marveled at the sheer size of the lake and compared it to the tanks built by the great Pallava monarchs in the Thondai Kingdom, declaring them to be mere ponds and pools in comparison.

Prince Raja-aditya, the son of King Paranthaka, who conquered Madurai, had built this great tank to preserve the waters of the North Cauvery, which were previously going to waste in the sea. Vandiya Devan couldn't help but admire the genius of Prince Raja-aditya, who was both brave and just. During the battle at Thakkolam, he had ridden on an elephant to the forefront and fought single-handedly, taking enemy spears on his chest and ultimately losing his life. For his bravery, he earned the title of 'Deva who reposed atop the elephant' and departed for the heavens meant for the brave.

The kings of the Chozla Dynasty were remarkable, not only for their bravery but also for their justice and veneration of their Gods. Let us remember their noble deeds and pay homage to their memory.

Vallavarayan Vandiya Devan was filled with pride and gratitude for his friendship with a Chozla prince from such a prestigious dynasty. His heart swelled with joy as he arrived at the southern end of Veera Narayana Lake and witnessed the stunning scenery of the Vadavaaru stream flowing into the lake. The sandy beach was lined with casuarina and wood-apple trees, while reeds grew thickly along the water's edge. The Aadi Festival had attracted crowds of people from nearby villages, all dressed in new clothes and carrying fragrant flowers. Some had brought picnic foods and were eating on the shore, while others braved the water to cross over to the bank of Vadavaaru.

As Vandiya Devan watched the festivities, he was enchanted by the traditional boat-songs and ballads about the bravery and fame of Chozla kings. He was approached by an elderly woman who offered him food, but he hesitated, knowing that the young girls around him would tease and laugh if he dismounted from his horse. He was tempted by their beauty and laughter, but his attention was soon diverted by a group of footmen who arrived on large boats with white sails. They began pushing the people around and shouting at them to move, leaving Vandiya Devan wondering who they were and where they had come from. Perhaps they were part of the royal household?

As Vallavarayan Vandiya Devan approached an elderly man leaning on his cane by the bank, he bombarded him with a series of questions. "Sir, who do these men belong to? Whose boats are those coming behind like a school of swans? Why are these footmen chasing away the people, and why are the people hurrying away?"

"Thambi! Don't you know? There is a flag flying in the middle of those sailboats. Look at what's embossed on it!" replied the elder.

"It seems like a palm tree."

"It is a palm tree! asked Vandiya Devan, surprised.

"It must be so. Who else could raise the palm tree flag and come?" said the elderly man.

Vandiya Devan widened his eyes in astonishment as he looked toward the boats. He had heard much about Lord Pazluvoor, and their names were renowned from Lanka in the south to the Kalinga Kingdom in the north. The Pazluvoor Family had won heroic fame since the times of Vijayala Chozla, and they had a lot of give and take with the royal family of the Chozlas due to their nobility, bravery, and fame. The elder of the present Lords of Pazluvoor had fought in twenty-four campaigns and had won acclaim as having no equal in a war in the Chozla Kingdom.

Despite his eagerness to meet this powerful, illustrious, and noble Lord of Pazluvoor, Vandiya Devan recalled the words spoken to him in privacy by Prince Aditya Karikala at the new Golden Palace in Kanchi City. The Prince had entrusted him with two letters to deliver, one to the Emperor and the other to his sister, the Younger Pirati, and had advised him to be careful and not get into any disputes, particularly with the Lords of Pazluvoor and his Young Uncle Madurandaka.