Chapter 29: Traitor
The conversation that was taking place on the river bank between Pulikesi and the bikshu was becoming increasingly contentious. Emperor Pulikesi tried hard to talk Naganandi out of his obsession for Sivakami. But all what the Emperor said in this regard served to fuel Naganandi’s anger. When Pulikesi increasingly spoke in a demeaning manner of Sivakami, the bikshu furiously defended her and spoke even more highly of her. When the combative conversation between the brothers escalated and they were about to physically attack each other, a gory incident that occurred in the vicinity caught their attention.
A man shrieking, “Aiyyo! Aiyyo!” in a bloodcurdling manner came running and stood for an instant on the banks of the Vadora River, that was flanked by perpendicular cliffs. He again screamed, “Aiyyo!” rushed towards the river and jumped into it. He sank into the river. Shortly thereafter, his head resurfaced above the water some distance away from where he had jumped. A horrific scream that caused rocks to shatter was heard. The man sank into the water once more, never to rise again. There were no signs of his sinking there. The Vadora River continued flowing with a tinkling sound along its mountainous course.
Emperor Pulikesi observed this incident which had transpired in a few seconds with rapt attention, without batting an eyelid. When the man who jumped into the river resurfaced shrieking and sank again, he felt his chest tightening. After staring intently at the spot where the man had sunk for some time, Pulikesi turned around and looked at Naganandi. The smile that then appeared on the bikshu’s face caused Pulikesi to shiver. “Anna! What did you do to that resident of the chaithya?” asked Pulikesi. The bikshu let out a ghastly laugh and said, “What did I do to him? Nothing at all! I blessed the man who painted such a portrait. When he bowed to receive my blessing, I scratched the rear of his neck with my little finger slightly. He must have felt a burning sensation when the poison in my nail mingled with his blood. Shortly thereafter, he must have felt that his entire body was on fire. His brain must have also felt the heat. To cool his body and brain, he ran in that manner and jumped into the river. Along with his body and brain cooling down, his life also left him!”…”Aiyyo! Anna! When did you become such a cruel demon? After joining the sangam of Buddha, who is the very embodiment of mercy, and donning ochre robes, how could you commit such heinous acts?” asked Pulikesi.
Naganandi stared at Pulikesi and hissed, “Oh! Did you realize that I was a merciless demon only now? Didn’t I commit crueler acts than this for your sake and for the sake of your kingdom? Why did you not come forward to preach justice to me then? Have you forgotten that you had happily agreed when I suggested that we poison Kanchi’s drinking water and kill all its residents?…” “Yes! Yes! I have not forgotten all that; but that was in the past!” said Emperor Pulikesi and heaved a sigh. After staring at the river for some time, he looked at Naganandi.
“Anna! I have not forgotten all the assistance you have rendered me. My life is yours and so is this kingdom. I have done nothing for you in return for all the support you have extended to me all these days. I intend doing so now. I have experienced the pleasure of sitting on the Vatapi throne and ruling the kingdom for thirty five years. I have had enough. You assume the pleasure of ascending the throne and the responsibility of ruling the kingdom from now. I will spend the remaining days of my life in the Ajantha Sangramam, donning the ochre robes you’re currently wearing. You spent your youth at the Ajantha Mountains, which is the abode of Prakrithi Devi[i] and Kalai Devi[ii]. I will live here during my old age. You assume the burden of ruling the kingdom henceforth…”
When Pulikesi spoke thus, the bikshu understood that these were genuine words that came from his heart. A smile replaced the fury that was raging on his face thus far. When Pulikesi paused and remained silent, the bikshu built castles in the air. His face reflected his joyous dreams.
“Anna! What do you say? Are you agreeable to this?” asked Pulikesi. Though the bikshu completely trusted his words, he asked again to reconfirm Pulikesi’s intention, “Thambi! Are you stating the truth? Or are you mocking this mere ochre clad bikshu?” “Anna! I swear by the holy name of our grandfather, Satyacharya Pulikesi, that I’m stating the truth. I am prepared to prove my intention this very instant. I will undertake the vows of a bikshu today itself. I will also speak to the Acharya Bikshu and release you from monkhood. But on one condition. You must give up that dancer from Kanchi.”
The glance that Naganandi shot at Pulikesi resembled that of a tiger staring at the hunter who had killed its mate! Pulikesi might have met the same fate as the artist who had painted the portrait ‘The Dancing Maiden’s Surrender’. But at that point of time, the duo observed seven to eight people hastening towards them from the opposite banks of the Vadora River. They were not civilians; they included ministers and commanders. It seemed as though they were coming to communicate an important and urgent message to the Emperor. Observing this, the bikshu controlled the fury raging within and said, “Ah! I suspected that was some treachery in your offer to abdicate the kingdom in my favour. My suspicion has come true!”
“Anna! Think before you speak! How can a sculptor’s daughter ascend the throne that was once occupied by Satyacharya Pulikesi? I will never ever consent to this. Chase away the temptress who caused a rift between you and me, ascend the Vatapi throne and rule the kingdom for as long as you live!” pleaded Pulikesi.
Like before, Naganandi hissed like a cobra and said, “You malicious man! You sinner! May doom befall you! May your capital be set to fire and be reduced to ashes! Your kingdom will be ruined! Even if I were to secure Devendran’s position, I will not give up Sivakami. Do you think I will sacrifice her to secure this lowly Chalukya Kingdom? Never! You are going to soon face the consequences of your ungrateful and treacherous behaviour. From this moment, our relationship stands severed. I will never ever meet you again. Here I leave. I will take Sivakami along and leave your kingdom. Look at those people! They bear news of your destruction!”
As Naganandi was sprouting these fiery words, those on the opposite bank crossed the bamboo bridge that spanned across the river and were walking towards the rock on which the Emperor and the bikshu were seated. True to his words, Naganandi took two steps forward and then hesitated as though he was struck by an afterthought. It seemed as if he wanted to confirm the news borne by those who were coming.
The Emperor was shocked observing the anxiety and fear writ large on the faces of those who were coming. He asked, “All of you have come as a group. What’s the occasion? Is there some important news?”
“Yes, Prabhu! Indeed it’s important news. But I feel hesitant to convey an implausible news!” said the Prime Minister of the Chalukya Kingdom.
“What’s the important news? Who bore the message? From where did he come from? All of you are pallid with fear. Are our enemies invading the Chalukya Kingdom? Tell me quickly!”
“Maha Prabhu! You just stated the news!”
“Why are you blabbering? What did I say?”
“Didn’t you ask if enemies are invading our kingdom?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Emperor!”
“It’s indeed unbelievable news. Who is the aggressor? It cannot be Harshavardhanar from the north. Recently I received a cordial invitation from him. We do not have foes in the west and east. Our attacker would have to come from the south. Is Mamallan of Kanchi invading us?”
“That’s the news, Prabhu!”
“I cannot believe this. Even if that were the case, why are all of you so unsettled? Nothing is lost!”
“Perumane! A large part of our army is stationed on the banks of the Narmada River. Yet another chunk is in Vengi…” said the Prime Minister hesitantly.
“So what? Can’t we bring our forces to Vatapi before Mamallan leaves Kanchi?”
“Mamallan is not in Kanchi, Prabhu! The Pallava army had crossed the North Pennai River a week ago. It must have neared the Tungabhadra River by now!”
“How miraculous! Who brought this news?”
“They brought this message from Vatapi. They rushed non-stop without even halting at night!” said the Prime Minister and produced two emissaries before the Emperor.
“Who sent you? Have you brought a manuscript?” asked a shell-shocked Pulikesi.
“No, Perumane! There was no time to even pen a message. The Chief of the Vatapi Fort verbally asked us to communicate this message to you. Six of us left Vatapi five days ago. Four people fell down on the way. The two of us managed to reach here.”
“Minister! Could they be stating the truth? Didn’t we hear that Mamallan was constructing ships for the Lanka invasion?”
“Yes, Prabhu! This news is difficult to believe. But, they do bear the insignia of the Chief of the Vatapi Fort. It seems that another set of emissaries are following them with a detailed manuscript. If they’re stating the truth, the Pallava army must have crossed the Tungabhadra River by now. As a famine has broken out in the province on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, we had redirected the army stationed there to Vengi only a few days ago.”
Pulikesi stood stunned for some time. A truth must have struck him suddenly. He looked at Naganandi who stood a short distance away listening to this conversation.
He again looked at the Prime Minister and asked, “Minister! What was our espionage force doing? Why wasn’t the news of Mamallan’s invasion conveyed to us before? Why didn’t the news of the Pallava army leaving Kanchi reach us when we were still at Vatapi?”
The Prime Minister bowed and said, “Prabhu! The chief of our espionage force was removed from service one year ago. Our bikshu assumed his responsibilities. You should ask the adigal!”
The gazes of everyone assembled there including the Emperor fell on the bikshu.
Pulikesi asked, “Adigal! Were you aware of Mamallan’s impending invasion beforehand? Did you intentionally hide this news from me?”
“Thambi! Do you want me to respond to your query in the presence of everyone assembled here?” asked the bikshu.
“Adigal! Have you forgotten what you had said some time ago? Didn’t you say that the relationship between us has ceased to exist? Now, why do you profess the existence of one? Please state the truth immediately!”
“In that case, I will speak. I was aware of Mamallan’s invasion beforehand. I did not tell you as a punishment to an ungrateful sinner like you!” roared Naganandi.
When the Emperor commanded, “Imprison this traitor!” the eight people present there surrounded the bikshu.
The bikshu immediately drew out the small, curved dagger fastened to his waist and said, “Careful! The person who nears me will immediately go to Yama Loka!”
The eight people drew out their respective swords from their sheaths.
“Well done! The eight of you, who are the epitome of bravery, will together kill a lone bikshu. Emperor Pulikesi’s fame will spread all over the world. Mamallan too will be impressed and return,” said the bikshu in a mocking tone.
Hearing this, Pulikesi said, “Stop! Don’t tarnish your swords by killing that debased traitor. Give way!”
The eight people, obeying the command, made way. But they continued to be watchful thinking that the bikshu may attack the Emperor.
Emperor Pulikesi told the bikshu, “Adigal! It would be a mistake to kill you. It is not the appropriate punishment for you who betrayed your brother who reposed his faith in you and your country. You must live long and atone for the monumental sin you have committed. You must recollect your treachery and shed repentant tears. You wicked ghost in human form! Go! Go to Vatapi and take your Mohini along! Uphold at least this promise of yours! I don’t want to see you as long as you’re alive! You depraved man who dared to betray a kingdom driven by your lust for a woman! Go! May you live long and repent recollecting your betrayal!”
Naganandi stood like a stone statue listening to the anger-filled emotion-laden words uttered by Pulikesi. When Pulikesi stopped speaking, he started walking eastwards along the river bank without uttering a word.
Pulikesi, who was staring intently in the direction the bikshu went, immediately turned around after he left and wiped his tears. Then he looked at those present and said, “Minister! Commander! The message the emissaries have conveyed must be true. There is no room for doubt. I ignored your words of caution regarding the bikshu. Though all of you and I are going to face the consequences of this, nothing is lost. We will teach Mamallan that it’s no joke to intentionally trifle with a tiger. We will butcher all the Pallava soldiers who crossed the Tungabhadra River and will ensure no one returns. All these days, I regretted that I was unable to secure a definitive victory in my invasion of the southern country. Now there is an opportunity to redress the regret. The Pallava Nadu is going to be annexed to the Chalukya Kingdom.”
[i] Prakrithi Devi – Mother Nature
[ii] Kalai Devi – Goddess of Art
