NO. 46. — 1895.] ANCIENT TAMIL LITERATURE. 



33 



particulars may be gathered from Chilappatikdram, as also 

 other works — e.g., Paranar in Padittuppattu, Manimekhalai ; 

 Nattattanar in Sirupdndttiippadai, &c. 



According to these, the king was one day informed 

 by some pilgrims who had returned from North India, 

 that the princes there stated that the Tamil kings of 

 the day, unlike their warlike ancestors, had become 

 effeminate. This so provoked him that he declared he would 

 forthwith march to the North and conquer the princes who 

 sneered at him, and compel them to carry on their heads 

 stone from the Himalayas for fashioning the statue of the 

 goddess Pattini to be placed in the temple which, at the 

 request of his queen, he had determined to build. Orders 

 were accordingly issued for the army to get ready, and 

 the inhabitants of the country were informed by beat 

 of drum of the king's intention. Thereupon the Royal 

 Chaplain or Guru, accompanied by the ministers and com- 

 manders of the different sections of the army, waited on the 

 king, who received them seated on his throne borne by 

 sculptured lions. After the usual greetings they inquired 

 what the king's pleasure was. The king replied: "The 

 message of the Arya princes conveyed to us by the pilgrims 

 shall not pass unchallenged ; for otherwise disgrace will fall 

 alike on all Tamil kings. If our sword do not compel these 

 Northern princes to carry on their heads the stone intended 

 for the statue of the goddess, then let it be our fate to suffer the 

 pains and penalties which kings who oppress their subjects 

 must suffer." All endeavour on the part of the priest and 

 ministers to dissuade the king failed, and then the Court 

 Astrologer, "learned in the science treating of the twelve 

 houses and the position of the planets and stars, and of the 

 tithi, varam, yogam, and karanam," rising, exclaimed with 

 bowed head, " Mighty king, may your power be always great ! 

 the auspicious hour has arrived ! If you start now on your 

 journey all the great kings of the earth will become your 

 servants." The king prepared to set out ; the earth shook 

 under the tread of the mighty host consisting of numberless 



15—95 D 



