Chapter 12: Nedumaran
It is not known if Sembian Vallavan understood the meaning of Magayarkarasi’s dream. But the incidents that were unfolding at the same time ten kadu to the south of Kanchi on the banks of the Varaha River may shed some light on what the dream foretold. In the middle of that moonlit night, an unprecedented incident occurred on the banks of the Varaha River. The massive Pandya army had camped on the banks of that river. Flags bearing the fish insignia hoisted atop the tents were fluttering in the breeze. The landscape was filled with elephants, horses, chariots and carts. As it was not very cold during the month of Purattasi, most of the soldiers were sleeping in the open. Those who were unable to sleep sat in groups, gossiping. Sometimes sounds of their laughter shattered the midnight silence.
Their conversation betrayed their concerns. They were discussing about the Pandya army camping at the banks of the Varaha River for three days without marching ahead to Kanchi and the malady that afflicted their commander, Nedumara Pandian. Some of them whispered, “His illness is an excuse; there must be some other reason!” When one man said, “Mohini[i] has possessed the prince!” the listeners were amused. Another soldier remarked, “Why are you laughing? Tomorrow the Pallava army is embarking on its expedition from Kanchi. We are still sitting here en route to Kanchi!” A third soldier said, “Probably we’re returning to Madurai”. Yet another soldier said, “It is preferable to commit suicide by drowning in the Varaha River than return to Madurai in this manner!”
“Ah! You’ve discovered the most effective way to commit suicide. If one stood upside down in the Varaha River, the water would reach his nose. You need to be extremely skillful to commit suicide by drowning in this river,” said a soldier. “Come what may; I will not return. I have promised my lover that I will bring back a lot of loot from Vatapi. What will she say if I returned empty-handed?” said another man. “Wonder how those born in the valorous Pandya dynasty can be so small-minded?” said one man as he heaved a deep sigh.
The handsome and majestic Pandya prince, Nedumaran, the central topic of the Pandya soldiers’ conversation, was seated in his tent at the banks of the Varaha River. He was a descendant of the Pandya dynasty, which was centuries older than the Pallava dynasty. A Digambar Samana monk was seated in his presence. A bunch of peacock feathers, a folded mat and a kamandalam lay next to the monk, who was short, squat and tonsured. Nedumaran asked him, “Swami! How much longer do I have to wait?” He had hardly finished speaking when the faint sound of an udukku[ii] was heard. Though the sound from the udukku was faint, it caused one’s body to reverberate. The Samana monk said, “There! We’ve been summoned! Prince, let’s go!”
Nedumaran left without responding. Both of them stepped out of the tent and reached the banks of the river. A boat was waiting for them. Two soldiers holding oars stood at both ends of the boat. Nedumaran hesitated for a moment before climbing into the boat. The Samanar observed this and said, “Prince! If you’re scared, you need not come! You may return!” Nedumaran looked at him and casually muttered, “Hm!” and leapt into the boat. The Samana monk also got into the boat. The soldiers rowed the boat carefully and noiselessly. The boat reached the opposite bank. Nedumaran asked both the soldiers to wait in the boat at that spot and walked ahead with the Samana monk.
As they walked further, the sound of the udukkai became louder. That magnetic sound attracted Nedumaran. It overpowered him to the extent that he would not have been able to return even if he had so desired. Nedumaran’s walking accelerated. Soon, he was running. When the Samana monk said, “Prince! Please stop, we have reached our destination!” Nedumaran thought that he was dreaming.
Nedumaran stopped; a cave carved out of rock lay ahead of him. Two guards stood at the entrance of the cave. In reality, they were two statues carved out of stones. But the prince, who was in a trance, thought that they were human. A dim light was streaming out from within the cave. Yes! This rock and the guards have previously featured in this work. The cave had been carved by the sculptor Aayanar nine years ago. The Digambara Samanars had seized the cave.
Mohini – In Hindu mythology / folklore, a ghost who assumed the form of a beautiful woman and enticed and killed young men.
Udukku – A small hour-glass shaped double headed percussion instrument played in temples and at prayers in South India
