Ep 26: Witness to War (Part 2)

[00:00:01] Welcome to another exciting episode of Ancient Anecdotes powered by ListenCub

[00:00:07] This is your host, Ramanathan Ayyar

[00:00:10] This is Neeti Ramanathan

[00:00:13] This is Anjan Ayyam

[00:00:16] And this is Lalita Ramanathan

[00:00:19] In the last exciting episode of Ancient Anecdotes

[00:00:24] It was on the eve of the great battle at Tellar

[00:00:27] When Shreemara invaded the Pallava territory and reached Tirukovilur

[00:00:32] The grand Panguni Uttaram festival was only 5 days away

[00:00:37] Who was this sender and why a pigeon?

[00:00:41] Why not a scout on horseback?

[00:00:43] What am I to make of this?

[00:00:46] The sender could not have seen the army with his naked eyes

[00:00:51] Why hasn't the watchtower at Tirukovilur sent word?

[00:00:56] The mountain

[00:01:00] It calls to us

[00:01:02] Can you feel it father?

[00:01:06] Nandi Varmann paused, tears rolling down his eyes

[00:01:09] He contemplated the significance of this small yet profound sign

[00:01:16] Thir Anna Malaya ne

[00:01:18] Adiyeen Marandui venu

[00:01:21] Sukkha

[00:01:22] Was it you my lord?

[00:01:26] Isn't the Pallava army made of any fiber of valor at all, oh father?

[00:01:31] Before Shreemara gathers his forces again

[00:01:34] Let us surprise him

[00:01:36] Let us take a battle to his doorstep

[00:01:40] Vela

[00:01:41] And now we continue

[00:01:48] Vela, come here

[00:01:50] I need you to travel to the Ganga kingdom in the west

[00:01:54] Send word to king Prithivipati I

[00:01:57] Ask him to lend us a thousand of his fastest cavalry for two months

[00:02:03] Velen hesitated

[00:02:05] But my lord, Prithivipati will not side with either the Pallavas or the Pandyas

[00:02:11] He has alliances with both the kingdoms

[00:02:15] Vela, come here

[00:02:16] Drupathunga smiled

[00:02:18] Who said anything about fighting?

[00:02:21] We will only use the cavalry to chase the Pandyan forces

[00:02:27] Velen's brow furrowed

[00:02:31] But won't the Pandyas recognize the horses of the Ganga kingdom?

[00:02:38] Drupathunga grinned

[00:02:40] Then it's a good thing

[00:02:42] We are clothing them in Pallava armor

[00:02:44] Now go, run with the wind

[00:02:48] Velen's smile lit up his face as he realized the brilliance of his king's plan

[00:02:54] Velen ran off excitedly to his waiting steed and rode off

[00:03:00] Velen's smile

[00:03:11] Velen's smile

[00:03:13] Velen's smile

[00:03:26] Velen's smile

[00:03:31] Velen's smile

[00:03:33] Velen's smile

[00:03:57] Velen's smile

[00:04:00] What little sanity Murugan thought he had, had vaporized visibly.

[00:04:09] But my lord, the war drums are loud.

[00:04:13] Our people in Tirukhoelur will think an invasion is coming and the wailer is...

[00:04:19] Not going to war actually. I know, exactly.

[00:04:25] Nrupatunga said with a smirk.

[00:04:26] Tell our subjects that their prince, Nrupatunga Varman, wants them to test the drums as part of the festival.

[00:04:36] Even tell them that the Pallavan prince is offering a reward to the loudest drummer.

[00:04:43] One way or the other, I want the sound of the Irukkuvel drums at Tirukhoelur to reach the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai.

[00:04:55] Murugan agreed and left in confusion.

[00:04:58] But Drupatunga was already turning to his commander Perumal.

[00:05:03] He gripped the commander's shoulder firmly.

[00:05:07] Perumal, take our best archers and split them into three groups to pin the Pandians from three sides.

[00:05:15] Send them on horseback to cross the Pennei river and flank the fleeing Pandian forces.

[00:05:22] They will have to pass through the forests of Viralimalai and Kodambalur to reach Madurai.

[00:05:29] These two states are allies to the Pandyas.

[00:05:34] Have the archers reach there ahead of time.

[00:05:38] Lay in wait and ambush any army that comes to the Pandians' assistance.

[00:05:45] Perumal looks sceptical.

[00:05:48] My prince, what if the Pandyas take another route?

[00:05:54] Drupatunga smiled.

[00:05:56] What do you think I am going to use Prithvi Patti's horses for?

[00:06:00] The horses will hurt the Pandyas to where we want them to go.

[00:06:07] Excitement building, Drupatunga rushed back to his father and explained the plan.

[00:06:12] As the prince left the temple Praharam, the hefty boy Toppan stopped playing abruptly and called out to his younger brother.

[00:06:21] Supa, our job here is done.

[00:06:24] I think the prince has gotten her father's message.

[00:06:29] Supan laughed and replied.

[00:06:33] Yes, Anna. Time for us to leave, I guess.

[00:06:38] Legend has it that the boys ran off into the temple, disappearing as mysteriously as they had appeared.

[00:06:48] Back in the Pallava king's royal camp, Drupatunga burst into Nandivarman's tent, excitement writ on his eyes.

[00:06:56] Nandivarman recognized zest when he saw it.

[00:07:00] Son, patience is virtue and...

[00:07:06] But Drupatunga cut his father short impatiently.

[00:07:11] Yes, yes. We need a plan. I know.

[00:07:14] Now listen. We may need a lot of things.

[00:07:18] But one thing I realized we don't need is brute force to win, father.

[00:07:24] Mother, we will guide the Pandyas to where we want them and strike at the right moment.

[00:07:31] Mother always told me, guerrilla warfare does not rely on numbers but on cunning.

[00:07:38] For the war-weary Nandivarman, this plan was not only a revelation, but it also filled him with pride for his son.

[00:07:49] He assessed the strategy with questions, trying to find weaknesses, poking and prying the plan from every angle.

[00:07:58] But Drupatunga had thought of everything.

[00:08:00] At that moment, the king knew his son had become a leader.

[00:08:05] The boy had grown into a man.

[00:08:09] Nandivarman took off his crown and symbolically placed it on Drupatunga's head.

[00:08:16] Drupatunga, you will be king of the southern states.

[00:08:22] All hail Drupatunga Varman, Pallavan.

[00:08:26] Kandamara, prepare the royal guard.

[00:08:29] I ride to Thondai Mandalam.

[00:08:33] Drupatunga looked aghast.

[00:08:36] But why father?

[00:08:38] Why Thondai Mandalam?

[00:08:39] I need you here.

[00:08:42] Nandivarman looked proudly at his son.

[00:08:47] I have seen your plan, son.

[00:08:49] You will win.

[00:08:50] You have no need for me.

[00:08:52] In fact, the Pallava kingdom has no more need for me anymore.

[00:08:57] I am going to retire.

[00:08:59] Lucky me.

[00:09:01] Meanwhile, miles away, Shri Mara realized that his army was skimmed by the Pallava onslaught.

[00:09:10] Shri Mara had deftly guided his troops to Kota Marudur and was secretly laying low there.

[00:09:18] Suddenly, the sound of drums echoed in the distance.

[00:09:22] Heavy and persistent.

[00:09:25] Shri Mara, sitting on a boulder beside his wounded leg, winced as the steady rhythm reached his ears.

[00:09:32] His eyes narrowed as he gazed toward the horizon where the city of lone and looming Tirukovilur lay.

[00:09:40] The sound of the drums was indeed coming from that precise location.

[00:09:45] The Pandyas had planned to go there, rest, regroup, gather strength before continuing the retreat to Madurai.

[00:09:52] But the unmistakable boom of war drums shattered that plan.

[00:10:00] Tirukovilur is prepared for war.

[00:10:04] Shri Mara muttered, frustration clear in his voice.

[00:10:09] The Pallavas are there already.

[00:10:11] They can't stay there.

[00:10:14] His closest friend and his general, Athan, nodded solemnly.

[00:10:21] The Pallava forces must have intercepted word of a retreat.

[00:10:24] What will we do now, my lord?

[00:10:28] Shri Mara clenched his jaw in pain and thought for a moment.

[00:10:34] The Penne river is our only respite.

[00:10:37] But, if we take the shorter route through Senguruchi, we'll be exposed in the open plains.

[00:10:45] Lupatunga is clever.

[00:10:47] He'll be waiting for us there as well.

[00:10:50] Athan frowned.

[00:10:53] But what is the alternative?

[00:10:55] The route through Parambalur is difficult terrain.

[00:10:59] Especially with your injury.

[00:11:01] My king, it is treacherous for us to make the journey safely.

[00:11:06] Our escape will be much slower.

[00:11:11] Shri Mara sighed, the weight of his decision pressing down upon him.

[00:11:17] Ariyalur.

[00:11:18] We'll go through Ariyalur and reach Tirichirapalli that way.

[00:11:23] The Pallavas won't expect it.

[00:11:26] So, the Pandian army skirted Tirichirapalli that way.

[00:11:30] And reached Ariyalur.

[00:11:32] Nripatunga followed him with his horses like a shadow.

[00:11:35] He kept a faithful distance while still blowing his war horn as a warning.

[00:11:41] Shri Mara kept asking Athan.

[00:11:44] Athan!

[00:11:45] Where are Pallavan horses?

[00:11:48] Why haven't they caught up with us?

[00:11:52] How far are they behind us?

[00:11:55] Same as when we first set eyes on them.

[00:11:58] They're just over an hour behind us, my lord.

[00:12:01] Athan reported.

[00:12:03] Shouldn't they have over a...

[00:12:07] Shri Mara wondered aloud, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

[00:12:11] Athan's face tightened, reflecting the king's unease.

[00:12:15] Perhaps they are letting us go?

[00:12:18] He suggested quietly, though even he didn't believe his own words.

[00:12:22] Shri Mara grunted in pain as he shifted, his wounded leg throbbing.

[00:12:28] No!

[00:12:31] No, Pandunga is playing a game.

[00:12:33] A dangerous one.

[00:12:36] He is pushing me towards a trap.

[00:12:40] But I can't think clearly.

[00:12:43] This pain...

[00:12:46] This pain...

[00:12:48] It clouds my judgment.

[00:12:51] His eyes flitted across the landscape, scanning the forests ahead.

[00:12:57] I should have seen it earlier.

[00:13:00] Rupatunga is not attacking because he doesn't want us dead yet.

[00:13:05] He is herding us.

[00:13:07] Forcing us down the path.

[00:13:10] He is chosen.

[00:13:13] But what choice do I have now?

[00:13:16] With a heavy sigh, Shri Mara gave the order.

[00:13:23] Men!

[00:13:25] We'll take the Virali Malay route into Kodumbalur.

[00:13:29] Send the scouts to warn them about our arrival and call for help.

[00:13:33] The chieftains there are our allies and will come to our aid.

[00:13:37] We will have to move quickly but cautiously.

[00:13:41] Pirumal, meanwhile, galloped up to the helm of the attack formation that Nupatunga was leading and bellowed over the sound of the war horns.

[00:13:50] My king, why are we slowing down?

[00:13:53] We have enough horses.

[00:13:56] In a few hours, the Pandians will be in the vicinity of Virali Malay fiduciary.

[00:14:01] The chieftains there will come to the support of the Pandian.

[00:14:06] We should overrun his army before that.

[00:14:10] Nupatunga looked back and asked with a twinkle in his eye.

[00:14:15] Well, don't you want to snatch Virali Malay and Kodumbalur away from the Pandian's alliance?

[00:14:23] This will only happen if we ambush the alliance as it comes to Shri Mara's assistance.

[00:14:30] Are your archers ready at Virali Malay?

[00:14:33] Virali Malay?

[00:15:03] The chieftain's forces.

[00:15:04] But be mindful, the archers must not harm the king or his royal guards.

[00:15:10] Their job is to scatter and push them forward.

[00:15:15] If we kill Pandian now, we will lose the chance to capture Kodumbalur.

[00:15:21] Shri Mara must be driven toward Kodumbalur.

[00:15:26] Have archers surround him and let him escape.

[00:15:29] As for Virali Malay's army, just cripple the forces but do not wipe them out.

[00:15:36] Spat the chieftain's life so we can recruit the remainder of his forces and take Virali Malay.

[00:15:43] I want the lion flag flying over the fort of Virali Malay before we chase Shri Mara into Kodumbalur.

[00:15:51] Understood?

[00:15:54] Perumal barked happily back.

[00:15:59] As your highness pleases.

[00:16:01] And so, the wounded Pandia king limped forward with his royal guards heading straight into the snare that Tripathunga had laid.

[00:16:10] All the while, Tripathunga's archers were waiting concealed in the dense forests of Virali Malay.

[00:16:18] Virali Malay's fort's drawbridges lowered and a sizable army came to join Shri Mara through the forests from the south.

[00:16:26] But the Pallava archers were waiting for them.

[00:16:28] They knew the terrain well and their bows were drawn.

[00:16:33] As Shri Mara approached Virali Malay to join the alliance forces, the first ambush came swiftly.

[00:16:40] Arrows rained down from the trees, piercing armour and sending his men into chaos.

[00:16:46] The archers had strict orders to merely scatter the royal guard.

[00:16:49] The Pandia king's royal guard scrambled for cover.

[00:16:52] But Tripathunga's archers had them surrounded, leaving only a small route for Shri Mara and his men to go ahead and go forward to Kodumbalur.

[00:17:02] From his hiding place, Shri Mara watched in disbelief as his allied forces yielded to the massacring volleys of the arrows and the boulders.

[00:17:13] This, this is no accident.

[00:17:16] He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

[00:17:21] He knew I would come this way.

[00:17:25] Atan crouched beside him and nodded grimly.

[00:17:29] He has been leading us into the strap all along.

[00:17:33] The drums, the delays, everything was part of his plan.

[00:17:40] As the ambush ended and silence fell over the forest, Shri Mara's heart sank.

[00:17:48] He's out, Manu, but we.

[00:17:51] He admitted bitterly.

[00:17:54] But I cannot go back now.

[00:17:56] I must reach Madurai.

[00:18:00] A short distance away, Tripathunga walked slowly ahead and watched Shri Mara escaping at a painfully slow pace in a distance.

[00:18:09] Perumal drew his sword to chase them and Tripathunga stopped him looking at the ground.

[00:18:15] At Tripathunga's feet lay wounded Pandya soldiers.

[00:18:20] Perumal, Perumal, hadn't I given strict instructions to only scatter and not kill any more of the Pandya's forces?

[00:18:29] But my lord.

[00:18:31] Perumal exclaimed.

[00:18:33] This is war.

[00:18:35] This is war.

[00:18:36] The Pandyans will not reciprocate any such mercy.

[00:18:39] He will...

[00:18:41] Tripathunga looked away helplessly.

[00:18:44] I know, I know, I know.

[00:18:46] We need to take the Pandyan alive in Kodumbalur.

[00:18:50] Just arrange to take these Pandyan soldiers back to Tirukoavilar for medical aid along with our wounded men.

[00:18:59] The rest of you.

[00:19:00] Let us keep moving.

[00:19:02] Our job is not done yet.

[00:19:04] Shri Mara needs to be captured.

[00:19:07] Bellowed Tripathunga.

[00:19:09] But the bane of war and death had already started scalding his spirit.

[00:19:15] The fort of Kodumbalur came to Shri Mara's aid, not expecting the ambush.

[00:19:22] The second ambush struck just as the depleted Pandya army reached Kodumbalur.

[00:19:28] The arrows came without warning, swift and deadly.

[00:19:31] Once again, what remained of Shri Mara's men fell and once again, Shri Mara realized that Tripathunga was waiting for him at every turn.

[00:19:41] Shri Mara's forces were in tatters and his spirit was broken.

[00:19:46] With iron resolve, Tripathunga systematically captured both Viralimalai and Kodumbalur.

[00:19:52] At the end of a weary chase, Tripathunga finally surrounded the wounded Pandya.

[00:19:57] Tripathunga pulled down the royal fish flag from his chariot, exceeding that he had been bested.

[00:20:04] Little did he know that Tripathunga would approach him with something totally unexpected.

[00:20:10] Tripathunga got down from his horse with firm footing.

[00:20:14] He drew his sword and walked up to Shri Mara, gripping the sword as he swished and swiveled it adeptly.

[00:20:20] He swung but the sword reached close to Shri Mara's neck and stopped there.

[00:20:26] Tripathunga's hand went limp and he rained back the blow.

[00:20:31] Tripathunga's thoughts were racing.

[00:20:35] There are moments when you can't help but admire the fierce spirit of your opponent.

[00:20:42] But to witness that spirit humbled and subdued is a bitter sight.

[00:20:49] His thoughts seemed to thunder in his skull.

[00:20:54] And to top it all, if you also knew that you were the reason for this bitter sight.

[00:21:02] The thoughts trailed off.

[00:21:05] Tripathunga suddenly felt poor.

[00:21:07] He realized that he couldn't afford valor anymore.

[00:21:12] Tripathunga felt something heavy when he started speaking.

[00:21:15] So he steadied himself, put the sword back into the scabbard and spoke.

[00:21:24] You fought bravely, Shri Mara.

[00:21:28] Tripathunga said.

[00:21:29] But this battle is over.

[00:21:32] You may return to Madurai.

[00:21:34] I will not take your life.

[00:21:37] Pirumal, the pallava general was aghast.

[00:21:41] My lord, he is a snake.

[00:21:44] He has killed so many of us.

[00:21:48] Shri Mara still on his knees looked up with a mixture of surprise and interrupted Pirumal.

[00:21:55] Why spare me?

[00:21:57] He is right.

[00:21:59] I wouldn't extend you the same courtesy if you were in my shoes and I in yours.

[00:22:05] Why spare me?

[00:22:08] He asked, his voice hoarse.

[00:22:12] You could end this now.

[00:22:16] Tripathunga's eyes softened for a moment.

[00:22:19] Because I am not interested in destroying you.

[00:22:24] Only in ensuring peace.

[00:22:28] Shri Mara raised his voice in an angry but helpless groan.

[00:22:33] How did you know?

[00:22:35] How did you anticipate every move we made?

[00:22:40] Hmm?

[00:22:41] From Tirkovilur to Arunachala.

[00:22:45] You knew where we would strike.

[00:22:49] You outmanoeuvred us at every turn.

[00:22:54] How could you possibly spare me now?

[00:22:58] Follow through and complete your duty, O crafty and intelligent pallava.

[00:23:04] Give me the respite of a heroic death at my enemy's hands.

[00:23:09] Kill me.

[00:23:12] Tripathunga paused in his tracks without turning.

[00:23:16] You may admire my tactics, Shri Mara, as much as I admire yours.

[00:23:23] But there is a difference.

[00:23:25] I cannot take credit for this victory.

[00:23:28] Now I realize that Shri Akhand's blessings have guided our path

[00:23:33] and I am merely a recipient of that divine favor.

[00:23:37] It is not my hand that has bested you, but his divine grace that has allowed us to prevail.

[00:23:45] I cannot follow through with ending your life when it was never truly my victory to claim.

[00:23:53] He paused and added,

[00:23:56] Return to your people, Shri Mara, and heal.

[00:23:59] But no, if you ever come against us, I will not show such mercy.

[00:24:06] With that, Tripathunga turned and walked away, leaving the wounded king to contemplate his defeat.

[00:24:13] As though portending the end of the Pandya era, the sun sank low,

[00:24:19] casting a symbolic shadow over the Meenakshi temple as the Pandyas crossed into their kingdom's borders.

[00:24:26] With heavy hearts, Shri Mara's party, or rather what was left of them,

[00:24:31] rode towards Madurai.

[00:24:32] The sound of hoofs seemed to be muffling the somber mood.

[00:24:36] Shri Mara's pain was almost unbearable, but the bitter taste of defeat cut even deeper.

[00:24:44] Every now and then, he let out a low grunt,

[00:24:48] a small but telling sign of the turmoil brewing inside him.

[00:24:54] Atan's voice was barely audible.

[00:24:59] Sir, how did he know every move we would make?

[00:25:03] And how did we survive?

[00:25:05] Why did the Pallava spare our life?

[00:25:09] Doesn't he know we will regroup and attack again?

[00:25:13] Shri Mara, lost in thought, replied,

[00:25:18] You wonder why we are still alive, Atan?

[00:25:23] Sometimes even in the face of defeat,

[00:25:25] there is a deeper lesson to be learnt.

[00:25:29] Rapatunga says,

[00:25:30] it was Shiva's blessing that guided him to victory.

[00:25:35] But tell me,

[00:25:36] do you think Shiva has not blessed us?

[00:25:41] All these years,

[00:25:43] Shiva has blessed us with the element of surprise.

[00:25:47] He blessed us with an adversary like Nandi Varman,

[00:25:50] who was as kind as he was resolute.

[00:25:53] Even now, Rapatunga,

[00:25:56] though he knows we might attack again,

[00:26:00] spares us,

[00:26:02] spares our lives.

[00:26:05] He is the bigger king,

[00:26:07] yet he chooses peace over bloodshed.

[00:26:11] Atan looked puzzled.

[00:26:14] But sire,

[00:26:16] if Shiva blessed the Pallavas with victory,

[00:26:21] why not us?

[00:26:23] What made them more worthy of Shiva's blessing?

[00:26:28] Shri Mara sighed deeply.

[00:26:32] Who said Shiva hasn't blessed us?

[00:26:37] The Lord has gifted us an adversary

[00:26:40] who unites the subtle grace of divine favour

[00:26:44] with the ironclad dominance of the Pallava empire.

[00:26:48] Rapatunga Varman Pallava,

[00:26:51] a king who would give us a chase,

[00:26:56] beat us within an inch of our lives

[00:26:58] and let us know we are utterly defeated,

[00:27:01] only to spare us,

[00:27:03] because he values peace.

[00:27:07] In granting us such a pardon,

[00:27:09] he has achieved victory in ways

[00:27:12] he could never understand.

[00:27:15] He has upheld his duty to win a bloody war

[00:27:19] and has also managed to end it peacefully.

[00:27:23] And what king can return to his land

[00:27:26] with the title of a defeated warrior?

[00:27:30] The embarrassment alone could kill me

[00:27:32] even if these wounds don't.

[00:27:35] Shri Mara paused and then continued.

[00:27:39] I once thought that the great Nandi Varman

[00:27:43] was the better king.

[00:27:45] But,

[00:27:46] young Rupatunga

[00:27:48] has proved himself to be the better adversary.

[00:27:53] So yes, Aptan,

[00:27:55] yes,

[00:27:57] Sivan has blessed us

[00:27:59] with peace,

[00:28:02] with a life spared,

[00:28:04] with true spiritual knowledge

[00:28:07] and with a great adversary.

[00:28:11] We may have lost the battle,

[00:28:14] but we have gained something far greater.

[00:28:20] As the Pandyas rode on toward Madurai,

[00:28:24] Rupatunga rode back towards Kanchi.

[00:28:27] His heart should have swelled with pride

[00:28:30] at the victory,

[00:28:31] but instead a strange weariness

[00:28:34] settled over him.

[00:28:35] He had won the battle,

[00:28:37] outwitted his enemy

[00:28:38] and secured his kingdom.

[00:28:40] Yet,

[00:28:41] there was no joy in the victory.

[00:28:45] His thoughts turned to his father Nandi Varman

[00:28:47] who had chosen to pass on

[00:28:49] the mantle of leadership to him.

[00:28:51] The old king had seen enough of war

[00:28:53] and perhaps

[00:28:54] Rupatunga was beginning

[00:28:56] to understand why.

[00:28:58] When he reached Kanchi,

[00:29:00] Rupatunga found his father

[00:29:01] waiting for him.

[00:29:02] You have returned victorious,

[00:29:05] Nandi Varman said

[00:29:06] though there was no elation

[00:29:08] in his voice.

[00:29:10] But I see in your eyes

[00:29:11] what I have felt

[00:29:13] for many years now.

[00:29:15] Rupatunga dismounted

[00:29:17] and walked toward his father.

[00:29:31] Nandi Varman nodded slowly.

[00:29:34] War is a burden,

[00:29:36] my son.

[00:29:37] It takes more than it gives.

[00:29:40] You have proven yourself

[00:29:42] a leader today.

[00:29:44] But now you must decide

[00:29:45] what kind of a king

[00:29:46] you wish to be.

[00:29:48] I want to lead our people

[00:29:51] to peace.

[00:29:52] Rupatunga replied quietly.

[00:29:55] But I fear

[00:29:57] that war

[00:29:58] is the price we pay

[00:30:00] for peace

[00:30:01] and this war with Pandans

[00:30:03] will never end.

[00:30:05] His father placed a hand

[00:30:07] on his shoulder.

[00:30:09] It is the nature of kings

[00:30:10] to fight for their lands.

[00:30:12] But

[00:30:13] it is also within their power

[00:30:16] to seek peace.

[00:30:17] You are now king.

[00:30:20] You rule

[00:30:21] all the lands

[00:30:22] as far as the eye can see.

[00:30:25] You are rich

[00:30:26] beyond measure.

[00:30:28] But can you afford

[00:30:29] valour now?

[00:30:32] The choice is yours,

[00:30:33] my son.

[00:30:35] Rupatunga hung his head

[00:30:37] in sadly.

[00:30:38] As father and son

[00:30:40] stood together

[00:30:41] watching the horizon,

[00:30:42] Rupatunga felt

[00:30:43] the weight of his father's

[00:30:44] crown on his head.

[00:30:46] He had outsmarted

[00:30:48] the Pandyas

[00:30:48] but the thrill

[00:30:49] of war

[00:30:50] had faded.

[00:30:52] He was ready

[00:30:53] to lead

[00:30:53] but not

[00:30:54] into another battle.

[00:30:56] And so

[00:30:57] with a steady hand

[00:30:59] Rupatunga

[00:31:00] relinquished his throne

[00:31:01] to his half-brother

[00:31:02] Kampavarman

[00:31:03] and his nephew

[00:31:04] Aparajitavarman.

[00:31:06] Appa,

[00:31:07] who is

[00:31:08] Kampavarman

[00:31:09] and Aparajitavarman,

[00:31:11] Pa?

[00:31:12] By the time

[00:31:13] Rupatunga

[00:31:14] had returned victorious,

[00:31:15] Nandivarman

[00:31:16] had married again,

[00:31:17] this time

[00:31:18] into the Choda dynasty

[00:31:19] and his second descendant

[00:31:20] Kampavarman

[00:31:21] was born.

[00:31:23] Nandivarman

[00:31:23] gave away

[00:31:24] his northern kingdoms

[00:31:25] to Kampavarman.

[00:31:26] Kampavarman

[00:31:27] married

[00:31:27] Prithvipati's niece,

[00:31:29] a Ganga princess

[00:31:30] Vijaya

[00:31:30] and

[00:31:31] had a son

[00:31:31] Aparajitavarman.

[00:31:32] It was

[00:31:33] Aparajitavarman

[00:31:34] who allied

[00:31:35] with Aditya Choda

[00:31:36] the first

[00:31:36] against the Pandyas

[00:31:37] at

[00:31:37] Tiruparambayam

[00:31:38] much later.

[00:31:40] That's it?

[00:31:42] Story over?

[00:31:43] But what happened

[00:31:44] to the king

[00:31:45] afterwards, Pa?

[00:31:47] Hmm.

[00:31:48] Grandad used to say

[00:31:49] that the fate

[00:31:50] of the great king

[00:31:51] remains a mystery.

[00:31:53] Some say

[00:31:54] Rupatunga

[00:31:54] faded into obscurity,

[00:31:56] leaving out

[00:31:57] his days in peace

[00:31:58] far from the bloodshed

[00:31:59] that had marked

[00:32:00] his youth.

[00:32:01] Others believe

[00:32:01] he became

[00:32:02] a humble blacksmith

[00:32:03] in the great

[00:32:04] Pallava port

[00:32:04] at Virampattinam,

[00:32:06] forging weapons

[00:32:07] for the wars

[00:32:08] he no longer

[00:32:09] wished to fight.

[00:32:10] The truth,

[00:32:11] however,

[00:32:12] is lost to history.

[00:32:13] Just like

[00:32:14] the fleeting victories

[00:32:15] and the whispered plans

[00:32:16] that shaped

[00:32:17] the battles

[00:32:17] of a bygone era.

[00:32:19] Appa,

[00:32:20] but did Shiva

[00:32:21] really send a pigeon

[00:32:23] to help the Pallavas?

[00:32:25] Hmm.

[00:32:26] We will never know

[00:32:27] for sure, Papa.

[00:32:29] And were those children

[00:32:31] Ganesha and Murugan

[00:32:33] themselves in disguise?

[00:32:35] We can never be sure.

[00:32:38] Appa,

[00:32:39] I am still not able

[00:32:40] to see

[00:32:40] how Lord Shiva

[00:32:42] participated

[00:32:43] in the war

[00:32:44] directly

[00:32:44] and sided

[00:32:45] with the Pallavas.

[00:32:47] If Nandivarman

[00:32:48] III was a Shiva

[00:32:50] Bhakta,

[00:32:51] then so were

[00:32:51] the Pandians.

[00:32:52] Isn't it?

[00:32:53] I mean,

[00:32:54] the people who

[00:32:54] built the Meenakshi

[00:32:56] temple

[00:32:56] were also Shiva

[00:32:57] Bhaktas.

[00:32:58] How did Lord Shiva

[00:32:59] favor one devotee

[00:33:00] over another?

[00:33:01] How is it fair?

[00:33:04] What do you think,

[00:33:05] Kamakshi auntie?

[00:33:07] Hmm.

[00:33:09] That was running

[00:33:10] in my mind as well.

[00:33:12] But you know what?

[00:33:14] I was

[00:33:16] mind blown

[00:33:17] by

[00:33:18] Nandivarman's

[00:33:19] faith in his son.

[00:33:22] Nandivarman

[00:33:22] is a king

[00:33:23] who was able

[00:33:24] to protect his people

[00:33:25] only by waging

[00:33:26] one battle

[00:33:27] after another

[00:33:28] for a really

[00:33:29] long time.

[00:33:30] Here,

[00:33:31] he trusted

[00:33:32] not just

[00:33:33] Rupatunga's

[00:33:33] ability to wage

[00:33:34] war or win it.

[00:33:36] He trusted

[00:33:37] that his son

[00:33:38] would realize

[00:33:38] the burden

[00:33:39] of war.

[00:33:40] He trusted

[00:33:41] a 16-year-old

[00:33:43] to side

[00:33:44] with peace

[00:33:45] after having

[00:33:46] won over

[00:33:47] his adversary.

[00:33:49] Whoa!

[00:33:51] Yeah, right?

[00:33:53] It's almost

[00:33:54] like

[00:33:55] Nandivarman

[00:33:56] knew of the

[00:33:57] choice that his

[00:33:58] son would make

[00:33:58] post-victory.

[00:33:59] Even before

[00:34:00] his son was

[00:34:01] clear with the

[00:34:02] plan.

[00:34:03] And

[00:34:04] Rupatunga,

[00:34:05] he respected

[00:34:06] his father's

[00:34:07] words and

[00:34:08] charted out

[00:34:09] a clear plan.

[00:34:10] It's

[00:34:11] heartwarming

[00:34:12] to see

[00:34:12] that such

[00:34:13] level of

[00:34:14] trust and

[00:34:15] faith between

[00:34:15] a parent

[00:34:16] and his

[00:34:16] child is

[00:34:17] possible.

[00:34:19] Isn't it

[00:34:20] beautiful that

[00:34:21] they could

[00:34:22] trust each

[00:34:23] other to

[00:34:23] move towards

[00:34:24] the right

[00:34:24] choice and

[00:34:25] decision?

[00:34:27] that stood

[00:34:28] out really

[00:34:29] strong for

[00:34:30] me.

[00:34:31] Now, you

[00:34:32] tell me

[00:34:33] Lalita, if

[00:34:33] you were

[00:34:34] Shiva, will

[00:34:34] you not rely

[00:34:35] on hearts

[00:34:36] like that?

[00:34:39] That is a

[00:34:40] really good

[00:34:41] question.

[00:34:42] There is

[00:34:43] always more

[00:34:43] to the story

[00:34:44] than what

[00:34:44] history tells

[00:34:45] us.

[00:34:45] Have you

[00:34:46] heard the

[00:34:47] story of

[00:34:47] Andhakasuran?

[00:34:49] Who, pa?

[00:34:51] Hear it

[00:34:52] first on

[00:34:53] Ancient

[00:34:54] Anecdotes

[00:34:56] on your

[00:34:57] favorite podcast

[00:34:58] streaming

[00:34:58] providers.

[00:34:59] Tune in

[00:35:00] for a

[00:35:01] brand new

[00:35:01] episode.