Volume 4 Chapter 7: Kannan’s Worry
Royal mounts (elephants) fitted with beautiful ambaris were waiting outside the main entrance of the temple. Royal palanquins made of ivory and gold dazzled brilliantly. The Chakravarthy’s ornate chariot fastened with two beautiful white steeds also stood outside the temple. Kannabiran sat in the chariot holding on to the horses’ reins. His face gave away his indescribable worry.
People had congregated to view the beautiful chariot and the high breed steeds harnessed to the chariot. One of them asked, “Charioteer! Why do you look so downcast?” Kannan did not respond. Another man said, “Why ask him the reason for his worry? Tomorrow, doesn’t he have to leave for the battlefield? He is concerned that he would be separated from his wife and child!” Hearing this, Kannabiran’s eyes reddened with anger. He whipped the speaker with the ornate whip that he had never used on the high breed horses.
Luckily the man stepped away quickly and escaped unhurt. The mischief monger stood some distance away and continued, “Appane! Why are you so angry? If you are unwilling to proceed to the battlefield, give me the chariot! I will go!” Yet another onlooker said, “Pazhaniandi[i]! Why do you annoy Kannabiran? He is worried because apparently the Chakravarthy has asked him not to accompany the contingent that is leaving for the war tomorrow!” The onlookers sighed sympathetically.
Kannabiran rode Bhuvana Mahadevi and the others who had stepped out of the temple to the palace and then returned home. When Kannan returned to his house after leaving the horses in the stables and patting them, he saw a novel sight. Kannan’s son who was now ten years old was swirling a long sword around. As he swirled his sword around, a myriad expressions flitted across his face. Sometimes that innocent countenance exuded anger, while at other times it revealed the difficulty on being trapped in a tight corner. Sometimes the joy of decimating a foe was also apparent on his face!
Kamali sat at some distance away from her son and avidly watched him pretending to fight at the battlefield. Unknown to her, Kannabiran noiselessly entered the house. Kannabiran initially smiled happily watching the above-mentioned scene. The next instant his smile transformed into a frown. When Kannabiran angrily chided, “Murugaiyya[ii]! Stop playing!” the boy stood stunned. Kamali, who was both surprised and shocked, looked at Kannan.
“Throw away the sword! Why does a charioteer’s son require a sword? If you so desire, play with a horse whip! But don’t even touch the sword! Do you understand?” growled Kannan. Hearing this they boy let the sword drop to the ground, ran to Kamali, sat on her lap and sobbed. Kamali asked, “What’s this, Kanna? Why do you make the boy cry? Tomorrow you are leaving for war. One does not know how long it will take for you to return!”
“Kamali! Give up such hopes! Your husband is not leaving for the battlefield. I am going to idly while away my time in the city ofKanchi. This is the Chakravarthy’s command!” said Kannan. Extreme disappointment was then evident on Kamali’s face. “What is this Kanna? Why is the Chakravarthy cheating you thus? It seems he is taking the sculptor Aayanar, who is now disabled, to the battlefield?” she asked. “Lord Rama ought to have destroyed the island of Lanka when he invaded it with an army of monkeys!” said Kannabiran
“Why are you speaking in riddles? What is the connection between Lord Rama destroying Lanka and you proceeding to the battlefield?” asked Kamali. “There is a connection. Had Lanka submerged in the sea then, the Prince of Lanka wouldn’t have come here, would he? I am required to stay behind to ride the chariot for him! The Chakravarthy commands thus!” “Ah! In that case, is Manavanman also not going to war? Aren’t the Chakravarthy and he friends?” “They are close friends, that’s why this situation arose. If Manavanman’s life is in danger at the battlefield, it seems that Lanka’s royal dynasty will come to an end. Manavanman has no heirs yet. So the Chakravarthy has commanded the Lankan prince not to go to the battlefield; I have been stopped for his sake!”
“Is that the reason? Then you don’t have to worry, Kanna! The Prince of Lanka and you will be able to proceed to the battlefront shortly!” said Kamali. “How do you say this?” asked Kannabiran suspiciously. “There is a reason; the Princess of Lanka is to give birth to a child shortly.” “Oh! Was this what you meant when you said that the Princess of Lanka is unwell? Ekambareshwara! May a son be born to the Princess of Lanka!” said Kannan with his palms folded, turning towards the direction of the Ekambarar temple.
[i] Pazhaniandi – The mischief monger’s name
[ii] Murugaiyya – The name of Kannabiran’s son
