Anirutha Brahmadhiraya was seated in an ancient mandapa on one of the small islands near the great island of Ramesvara. He was surrounded by the means to conduct his ministerial work. Accountants, palm leaf writers, internal guards, etc., were ready in their places. After Aniruthar came down from the boat and sat in the mandapam for some time, he ordered those who had come to see him to be called. Five came first. They looked like wealthy merchants. They placed a garland of Navaratna on a plate. Anirutha Brahmarayar took it, gave it to the accountant and said, "Write it down that it is for the renovation of Chempian Mahadevi's temple!"
Then he asked the visitors, "Who are you?"
(This long association of merchants carried on trade with overseas countries under the Chola empire.) One of them said, "We have come on behalf of the five hundred and fifty people of Nana Desam."
"Joy; Isn't your trade flourishing in Pandya Nadu?"
"Getting richer by the day!"
"What are the people of Pandya Nadu talking about?"
"They are saying that the Chola dynasty rule is better than the rule of the Pandya dynasty. In particular, they praise Prince Arulmozhivarmar's valour. What is happening in Sri Lanka has spread among the people of this neighbourhood..."
"How is your shipping trade with the Low Sea countries now?"
"There is nothing lacking in Sundara Chola emperor's rule. All our ships sent last year have returned; Not a single one was damaged."
"Isn't there any trouble with pirates?"
"Not last year, after our Chola navy destroyed the pirates near Manakavaram Island, there is no fear of piracy in the eastern seas."
"Good; What arrangements have you made regarding the letter we sent?"
"We have done as ordered. We have brought 1000 bags of rice, five or six bags of corn and 100 bags of toor dal to Rameswaram Island to send to the Ilankai army. Arrange to send them to Sri Lanka."
"Can you load them on your own ships?"
"We do what we are told. We want to know when the war in Lanka will end."
"Ah! Who knows? Your chamber of commerce has an astrologer, doesn't it? Ask him and tell me!"
"King Brahma! We couldn't believe everything our astrologer was saying."
"What does he mean by that?"
"Prince Arulmozhivarmar says that wherever he goes, he is a success. He says that under his rule, the Chola navy will go to all the countries beyond the seas and conquer. He says that the tiger flag will fly in many distant lands."
"Then your suffering is a celebration!"
"Yes; He has also said that our maritime trade will prosper even more."
"Very happy, with the blessings of Sri Ranganathar, it will happen. As long as there is a war in Ilankai, you have to send rice etc. once a month. Good-bye."
"So we do, goodbye."
After the delegates of the Council of Five Hundred had left, a guard came and said, "The commanders of the Kaikola army are waiting and want to see."
"Tell him to come!" said Chief Minister Aniruthar.
Three majestic men entered. Veera Lakshmi dwelt in their faces and appearance. He was a fearless man, I could see at once.
(The Kaikkola community, which is engaged in handloom weaving in Tamil Nadu today, was a famous warrior class during the Chola Empire. The Chola emperors used to form an 'Aga Parivara Padai' from the soldiers selected from among them.
"Isn't Sundara Chola a known Kaikola soldier?" asked Aniruthar.
"Yes, sir! But we are ashamed to say so."
"Why is that?"
"We have been wasting our time here for six months, eating the emperor's rice."
"How many hands are there in your army? How many soldiers?"
"Our army is the three Khaimah army, and he is the commander of the left-hand army; He is the commander of the Valangai army; I am the commander of the middle. Two thousand soldiers in each hand. We are all eating and sleeping. We seem to have forgotten the business of war."
"What is your request?"
"We demand that we be sent to Sri Lanka. We want to fight together in the army where Prince Arulmozhivarmar is the hero of Madanda!"
"So be it; When I reach Thanjai, I will ask the emperor's consent and inform you."
"Brahmaraja! If the Ilankai war is over by then...?"
"You don't need to be afraid, I don't think the Ilankai war is over right now."
"Are the soldiers of Eezham so wicked? Send us there. We see a hand...."
"What's a hand? You will see the three arms, and if the three-armed army of the known Kaikkolar enters the battlefield, what will be the suffering of the enemy? The middle soldiers will enter the middle of the enemy army and attack. At the same time, left-handed soldiers will go to the left and right-handed soldiers to the right and attack the enemies like thunder..."
"That is how we destroyed the Pandya army; We defeated the Cheras."
"The Pandyas and the Cheras resisted on the battlefield; So you attacked them and defeated them. If you first look at the enemy soldiers, you can see them with one hand; Can you see all three hands?"
"Have the Lankans of this time become illusions like the demons of Ravana's time? Are they hiding in the clouds and fighting?"
"They have vanished like magicians; But there was no war. Why don't you find your place only if you fight? King Mahinda of Sri Lanka is also missing; His army soldiers were also missing. I don't know where they hid in the woods and mountains. Therefore, there was no war in Sri Lanka for six months. What makes you get there?"
"Great Minister! Send us and see! Let Mahinda and his soldiers hide in the forests and mountains; Or hide in the clouds; We take them by the hand and bring them to the feet of the prince. If we don't, we will change the name of 'known Kaikkolar Force' and get the title of 'Vellalar's slave army'!"
"Don't; Do not! Don't make such a vow now! Who in this Jambudvipa does not know the valour of the known Kaikkola army? When I reach Thanjavur, I will ask the emperor and send you orders. Until then, be patient. Suppress the enemies and establish peace in Pandya Nadu!"
"Great Minister! There is no enemy to subdue in Pandya Nadu. The citizens are glad that the war has stopped. They are engaged in agriculture, trade and handicrafts and lead a peaceful life. The Pandya king's tribe has been destroyed..."
"Don't think so! You think that the Pandya dynasty has ended with Veera Pandyan. That is wrong, there are still claimants to the Pandya throne...! There are those who conspire for them...!"
"Aha! Where is the conspirator? Let me know!"
"You'll know when the time comes. The ancient jewel crown of the Pandya tribe, the gem necklace given by Indra and the diamond-studded crown sword are still in Ilankai. They are hidden somewhere in the Rohana hill country. The Pandya war will not be over until they are brought back."
"The ornaments must be brought back; The day should come when Prince Arulmozhivarmar will be installed on the Madurai throne and crowned with the Pandya crown and sword!"
"Aha! What word do you mean?"
"We say what is on the tongues of the citizens and in the hearts of the soldiers!"
"Those are big diplomatic matters, let's not talk. I am going to tell you something else important that will make you happy..."
"We listen carefully, Grand Minister!"
"Don't think that the war will end with the war in Ilankai. Prince Arulmozhivarmar will leave for Digvijaya in all directions after the Ilankai war. He will sail to the eastern seas with soldiers in a thousand ships. That great warrior will conquer Manakkavaram, Mapapalam, Mayirudingam, Kadaram, Ilamuri Desam, Srivisayam, Javaka and Putpakam. In the south, he will conquer the twelve thousand of Munnirpazhantheevu. In the west, Kerala, Kudamalai and Kollam will bow at his feet. Then he will set out northwards. He would march to Vengi, Kalinga, Rattapadi, Chakkarakottam, Anga, Vangam, Kosala, Videha, Gurjara and Panchala. Like the epic legend Karikala Valavan, he would go to the Himalayas and plant the tiger flag. Brave Generals! Our Southern Madandanayakar has planned all this. In Tamil Nadu, there will be work for all those who have brave blood and a stomach heart; They will get an opportunity to prove their bravery. Therefore you and your known Kaikola army should not lose patience!"
The three colonels simultaneously hailed Emperor Sundara Chola! Long live Prince Arulmozhivarmar! Long live the great minister Aniruthar!" they chanted.
Then one of them said: – "Mahamantri! We just want to make one more application. As you know, the name of our army is 'Sundara Chola Therinja Kaikkolam Padai'."
"It's a known thing."
"Those who swore with the blood-stained red hands of their enemies that they would die for the service of emperor Sundara Chola."
"That's what I know, too."
"Therefore we will join none but the emperor; We won't listen to anyone else."
"That's what I expected of you!"
"Once upon a time we were part of the great army of the Pazhuvertaraiyars. None of us should have any doubt about the reason ..."
"Aha! What word is this? Who would doubt me!"
"There are rumours in the air about what is happening in Thanjavur."
"Let what comes in the wind go with the wind! You don't have to believe all that; Don't even repeat it."
"Some Kodumbalur Vellalar might raise suspicion about us..."
"They won't stir; Even if you leave, no one will listen."
"Human injury is eternal..."
"So the clean warriors won't fear for their lives."
"Even if the emperor of Tribhuvana one day..."
"God has to attain the Holy Path."
"The emperor is not well..."
"The comet is shining in the sky!"
"If something like that happens to the emperor, our soldiers want to be Arulmozhivarmar's inner retinue!"
"It is your duty to obey the emperor's orders!"
"It is your duty to inform us of the emperor's orders. You accept that responsibility. Or give us permission to go to Thanjai and have darshan of the emperor...!"
"Don't; It is not advisable for you to go to Thanjai; There will be confusion. I will accept your wish to see the emperor and make it known to him. Rest in peace!"
"As soon as we informed you, the burden on our hearts was lifted! Goodbye!" The three Kaikola commanders who knew him left the place.
Anirutha Brahmarayar said, "Aha! I don't know what kind of attraction Ponniyin Selvar has! Even those who have seen him once go mad!" he muttered under his breath.
Then, in a loud voice, "Where? Ask that rude Vaishnava to come here!"