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e Mystical Twelv LAKSHMI DEVNATH
ey, Sleeping Beauty! Get up. You’ve been sleeping for years now.” “And where is Prince Charming?” Poorva, though groggy, responded smartly to the Swami’s banter. “Prince Charming, Kulashekhara Varman, is on his way back from a successful expedition undertaken to extend the boundaries of his kingdom. In fact, several of the Chola and the Pandya states are under his rule now. For this achievement, history will hail him as the founder of the Second Chera Empire.” “How can a baby go to war? Isn’t there a limit to your exaggeration, Swami Thaatha?” Poorva laughed. When he replied, the Swami’s voice assumed a mock expression of hurt. “Poorva, did you think I was joking when I said you had slept for many years? Hold on, can you hear something?” Sure enough, Poorva heard a rousing chorus of: “Kollikaavalan, Koodalnaayakan, Kozhikkon Kulashekharan …” “He is being hailed as the master of Koodal or Madurai, the ruler of Kozhi or Uraiyur, the protector of Kolli …” “The titles can wait!” Poorva leapt to the scene of action. She watched with fascination the fabulous reception being given to Prince Kulashekhara. The king ordered: “Let arrangements be made for a grand celebration,” and he proudly escorted his victorious son into their private chambers. Hesitant to follow them into their rooms, Poorva waited outside. It seemed like an eternity before father and son came out. They were deeply engrossed in conversation. The king appeared to have aged and the son was in the prime of his youth. Poorva had a vague feeling that at least several months, if not years, had passed since the prince had returned from the war. She did not bother to analyse any further. The old monarch was saying, “I have decided to crown you king, for it is time for me to retire to the forest and spend my remaining days in prayer.” The author is a researcher and writer with various books and articles on Indian music and culture to her credit. lakshmidevnath@gmail.com Illustrator: Smt. Lalithaa Thyagarajan. lalithyagu@gmail.com
October 2020
“H
The Story of Kulashekhara Aazhvaar
(Continued from previous issue. . .)
31 The Vedanta Kesari
PA G E S P O N S O R : A D E V O T E E , K A R A P PA K A M , C H E N N A I
The Royal Devotee
