Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/225

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of Kanchi, most probably seeking the assistance of that king against his enemies.[1] It is not known whether the embassy was successful or not : but some time afterwards Athiyaman vas killed in a battle: and the verses uttered by Auvvaiyar on the occasion are very pathetic.

If there was little liquor, he would let us drink it: if there was much, he would also share it joyously with us, while we sang to him. Whether it was a simple meal or a grand feast, he would sit to meal with a large company of guests. Wherever bone and meat were plentiful he would place us; wherever arrows and lances were aimed he would take his stand. With his perfumed hands he would stroke my head. Alas! the lance that pierced his beloved breast, pierced at the same time the alms bowl of his minstrels, the hands of the poor whom he fed, and the tongues of the learned poets of his court. Dim are the eyes of his dependents, with weeping! Oh! where is he our dear prince? No more are there bards to sing or patrons to reward them. But many are the men who are as useless to this world as the flower of the Pahanrai which blooms on the cool banks of rivers: but is not worn by any one.”[2] After the death of her patron Athiyaman-Anchi she travelled in the Tondi-Nad and some years hence returned to Thakadur, where Elini, the son of Neduman-Anchi, received her very kindly. She describes her reception as follows :—[3] “Early- on a dewy morning, while the mild moon was still shining, I stood at the entrance to the palace of Elini, King of the Athiyar, and striking the drum which I carried in my hand, I sang “Long life to thee Elini! King of tle Athiyar! who stormest thy enemies’ forts and ravagest their fields!” Straightway he welcomed me and made me change my dirty dress and put on fine new clothes which he presented. In a golden cup he offered me strong old liquor which fired my blood to a frenzy and he feasted me right royally.”

She attended the magnificent sacrifice performed by the Chola king Peru-nar-Killi, and she had the honor of addressing the three Tamil kings, Ugrapperu-Valuthy, Peru-nar-Killi and the Chera Ma-ven-ko, who were seated together on the occasion. She exhorted them to do good during all their life time, which


  1. Ibid., 95.
  2. Ibid., 235.
  3. Ibid., 392.