Aditha's Queen

The Divine Will

Prince Madhuranthakan mounted his horse and headed towards the forest temple of Lord Vipineshvara for his pradosha day puja. He was accompanied by two of his trusted attendants who carried the accoutrements of worship with them on horseback.

After a ride of several kaadhams (1 kaadham ~ 1.16 km), they reached the temple hidden in the thickets.

Madhurantakan and his men dismounted and entered the temple. After the men had cleaned the surrounds of the holy lingam and lit the lamps, Madhurantakan fetched water from a nearby natural pond and bathed the divinity. He followed this with a bath of milk, curds, honey and again with water. He wafted sambrani fumes to the lingam, applied vibhuti and adorned the deity with a silk garment and a vilva garland. He made an offering of fruits and waved lamps before the lord. He then circumambulated the deity many times singing the Shiva Thandava verses composed by Ravana, as if in a trance.

"Jataatavi galajjala pravaaha paavithasthale
Galevalambya lambithaam bhujangathunga maalikaam |
Damad damad damaddama ninaadhavad damarvayam
Chakaara chanda thaandavam thanothu nah shivah shivam ||"

He finished and looked up only to see his attendants fallen flat on the ground outside the sanctum. He hurriedly came out and was instantly gripped on all his limbs by four men who emerged from the bushes.

"Be off, irrational fellows!", Madhu said, trying to shrug off their hold.

"You will gain new insights into rationality after you hear us out, Pandiya Ilavarase", said one of the men.

"What have you done to my men? Help them first", Madhurantakan ordered.

"Even Paramashivan cannot help them anymore, Pandiya Ilavarase!", said the same man.

Madhu breathed heavily in distress.

"Veerapandiyar selvare! If you listen to us, you will have a change of heart and switch sides. Our transit to Koodal will then be easy."

"Stop the bluff", barked Madhu.

"We don't bluff around with our Ilavarasar. Now listen. You were born to Veerpandiyar and a mute boat lady called Mandakini. You were adopted by chola queen Sembiyan Maadevi in infancy. Veerapandiyar sent our men to awaken you to these facts as soon as he knew about you but they were arrested while attempting to gain entry into your quarters. Your twin sister is none other than Aditha Karikalan's queen, Nandini. Now return to Pandiyanadu, Ilavarase! The throne awaits you", said the man.

Madhu tried to hit the man but was dodged. "We know you can't even fight to save your own life, Pandiya Ilavarase! You have only one choice - to go to Koodal with us", the man said victoriously.

Madhurantakan closed his eyes for a whole minute. He then opened them and looked around the men in a slow sweeping motion of his eyes, his mind reciting the shiva thandava verses in the majestic pancha chamaram poetic meter while doing so.

Madhurantakan then mounted his horse and proceeded to Pazhayarai palace.

Madhu headed straight to his mother's quarters. He touched her feet and they took their seats. Madhu then gave a detailed account of everything that happened at Vipineshvarar temple to his mother.

"I finally overpowered the attempting  kidnappers by Vashithvam, one of the Ashtamahasiddhis, Amma!", Madhu finished.

Madevadigal was in tears when she came to know that she almost lost her son. She embraced her son and cried for some time.

"Amma! You don't have to tell me anything if you feel it is inappropriate", Madhu said after his mother had composed herself.

"What the Pandiya thugs told you is true, my son", Madevadigal said and elaborated her son's  adoption story to him, crying many times in between.

"I am Gandaradithar's and your proud son and always will be, Amma!", Madhu vowed to his mother.

Madevadigal nodded. "Forgive me, my son. I can only say that all of this is Thillaiambalanathan's will", she said.

"Parameshwara has also conveyed another will of His to me today, Amma", said Madhu.

"What is it, son?", his mother asked, curiosity consuming her.

"That i will soon become the ruler of cholanadu", said Madhu.

Madevadigal covered her mouth in surprise. "Shiva Shiva! How did He convey that to you, Madurantaka?", she then asked.

"There was a yogi from Himalaya who taught me meditation on Parameshwara some years ago. He also wanted me to learn Ashtamahasiddhis, the eight divine powers that can be acquired by meditation and spiritual maturity to control everyone and everything. But i gently declined and said to him that i only wished to pursue the path of pure devotion. The Yogi convinced me to learn Vashithvam and said, 'This will save you in times of trouble. Also be aware that in your case, when you first employ this siddhi, your rajayogam will be triggered and you will soon ascend the throne without fail. This is Parameshwara's will.' ", Madhu told his stunned mother.

"Shiva Shiva!", Madevadigal exclaimed again and wiped her tears. She then said, "I too had a dream early today morning, Madhurantaka. The Lord appeared in my dream and said, "Perform kalpani in my temples with your son's help. He will helm the affairs of the country soon as Utthama Chozhan.' "

It was Madhurantakan's turn to be surprised now. He finally spoke. "That vindicates my claim. Who can overrule Parameshwara's will, mother? But let us wait for things to unfold naturally. Let us not disturb the peace of mind of Chakravarthi and his family by revealing our divine experiences now."

The queen mother nodded her affirmation to her son.

A guard then appeared at the doorway and let in a messenger after seeking their permission. The messenger handed a scroll to Madhu.

Madhu read it and reported the contents of the letter to his mother. "Amma! You are blessed with a grandson. Manimekalai and I have become proud parents to a boy."

"Ambalavana, my Lord! When it rains, it pours! I can't wait to see my grandson, Madhurantaka", said an excited Madevadigal.

Madhu's first child was a girl with Tribhuvaneshvari, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar's daughter.

"Amma! The olai says the naming ceremony is nearly two weeks away. But you can start with me and Bhuvana to Kadambur soon. We shall first go to Thanjai for a day or two to update my FILs on all the happenings and to invite them and Chakravarthi to my newborn son's naming ceremony. I will take leave of you now as i have to report everything to Bhuvana", Madhu said and left.