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Kallaigal Nadu - The Motherland of the Bulls
துறந்தார் படிவத்த ராகி இறந்தாராய்ந்து
என்செயினும் சோர்விலது ஒற்று.
- குறள் 586
Sangam, an Academy of Poets, flourished in Southern India for more than six centuries. It was known as Muchchangam in Tamillakam, the 5 Tamil language speaking lands.
The Sangam Literature contains 2381 poems. About more than 500 poets were part of this Tamil Academy, who belonged to different sections from the society and were mixed - both men and women poets . Religion, art, architecture and secularism prevailed during Sangam, where the poets registered every event grouping them under different topics. It was a period when stone sculptures flourished and its prototypes, as well as, a manual of painting known as Oviya Nul was published. Music and dance were perfected.
The group of poets - including Auvaiyar, Vellividiyar, Kapilar, Nakkirar, Tolkappiar, Nedum Seliyan, Nalluttiran, Sattanar, among others - were part of the Tamil Epic, depicting a piece of fabulous Tamil literature by narrating the historical events inside Patinenmelkaṇakku (பதினெண்மேல்கணக்கு), a series of eighteen anthologies contained within Ettuttokai (எட்டுத்தொகை, Eight Anthologies) [Akananuru, Narrinai, Kuruntokai, Purananuru, Ainkurunuru, Patirruppattu, Kalittokai, Paripaṭal] and Pathupattu (பத்துப்பாட்டு, Ten short Poems) [Tirumurukarruppaṭai, Kurincippattu, Malaipatukatam, Maturaikkanci, Mullaippattu, Neṭunalvatai, Pattinappalai, Perumpanarruppatai, Porunararruppaṭai, Cirupanarruppatai), including magnificient Kural (திருக்குறள் ). The most ancient Tamil grammar Tolkappiyam (தொல்காப்பியம்) was introduced by scholars during this magnificent era.
Today's eleventh largest state in India, Tamil Nadu, was divided into five different lands, called Nadu, during the Sangam Period: Thondai Nadu, Nadu Nadu, Chola Nadu, Kongu Nadu and Pandya Nadu. These five Nadu were collectively known as Tamilakam (தமிழகம்).
http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/29...ngamPeriod.jpg
And each land bred their own variety of cattle called Bos Indicus and conducted Yayru Thazhuval (ஏறுதழுவுதல்).
Sadly, (I write this with unspeakable pain), few of these varieties are extinct or nearly extinct now. (And to heal my pain), I try to list the varieties and promise to myself, as a lover of nature, that I will make my each step to protect our cattle:
Pandya Nadu:
1/ Irucchali (nearly extinct) [Sivagangai & Pudukkottai]
2/ Pulikulam [Theni]
3/ Thambiran madu [Theni]
4/ Tenpandi [Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli & Thoothukudi]
5/ Tirunelveli Hill Cattle [Tirunelveli, one of the ancient cattle breeds]
Thondai Nadu:
1/ Tondai [Ramana Maharishi's favourite cow called Lakshmi is a Tondai Madu) [Velur, Tiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu, Chennai & Vizhuppuram]
2/ Turinjithalai (nearly extinct - A drought vareity rare breed) [Usilai]
3/ Punganur [Chittor]
Nadu Nadu:
1/ Nattan [Villupuram]
Chola Nadu:
1/ Vadakarai [Trichy, Srirangam, Perambalur & Ariyalur]
2/ Mottai [Perambalur]
3/ Konadan [Manapparai, Trichy & Tovarankurichchi]
Kongu Nadu:
1/ Mee Konga [Kangayam & other districts]
2/ Mazha Konga [Taluks of Mecheri & other districts]
3/ Semmarai [Erode]
4/ Palamalai (nearly extinct) [Kaveri basin Mettur (Salem)]
5/ Alambadi [Pennagaram & Dharmapuri]
6/ Kollimalai [Mountain Corpus]
Here is an account of livestock recorded in 1935. The book illustrates various details about cattle breeding in South India and includes several pictures with description. A fabulous history of/about our cattle registered by Captain R. W. Littlewood (no copyright infringement as it’s an open source):
Livestock of Southern India - 1935 by Captain R. W. Littlewood, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Livestock
Cattle are our ancestors who were touched, feed and described by our forefathers. It is our duty to keep them safe.
- Mappi
எழாஅப் பாணன் நன்னாட்டு உம்பர், நெறி செல் வம்பலர்க் கொன்ற தெவ்வர், எறி படை கழீஇய சேயரிச் சின்னீர்.
- அகநானூறு 113, கல்லாடனார், பாலைத் திணை
They say that he has gone far away, beyond the fine country of Panan*, but he who does not back off.
- Akananuru 113, Kalladanar, Palai Thinai.
* Panan - a person from the territory Panatu (inscriptions found at Paraiyanpattu in Tamil Nadu).
Found references to Panan in these 2 case studies also:
- Early Tamil Epigraphy by Iravatham Mahadevan (page 629).
- Political Change and Agrarian Tradition in South India, C. 1600-1801 by T. K. Venkatasubramanian (page 69).
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The Awakening
A cimex lectularius lived cosily inside the King's bed. Every night, the parasitic insect fed on the royal blood. Tired after his hectic schedule, the King slept so fast and the bed bug happily juiced blood the whole night long.
One evening, a mosquito had entered into the King's chamber. It was quickly stopped by the bed bug. The mosquito explained, "Hey my little friend, I come from a land far far away upon hearing how good the royal blood tastes. After being the best sucker in various regions, I have come to feast here."
The bug did not authorise the mosquito. It replied, "I draw the blood from the sleeping King, so soft and so silent, which he does not realise. But you buzzing around will disturb him. Moreover, your syringe-like-mouth will cause pain and irritation, which will awake the King. Thus, he shall order to search and destroy us."
The mosquito thought for a while. It laughed on the inside thinking that it shall fly away once it’s job is done, and it shall be the bug who will take the blame, get caught and executed. Shedding its crocodile tears, the mosquito pleaded to the bug to find a solution. It tried to convince the bed bug by stating that they both were from the same blood sucking family.
Finally, the bed bug agreed, but upon two conditions, "OK. You will follow these two rules - you will wait until the King lays motionless in the bed and you will only bite his feet, not anywhere else. By this, he cannot see you and we will be safe." The mosquito complied to the bed bug’s demands.
That night, the King came along with his Queen. The parasites gladly received the couple and decided to have a tasty meal together. The mosquito would suck the King's blood while the bug will feed on the Queen’s.
The mosquito buzzed over the sleeping couple, while the bed bug crawled to the other side of the bed where the Queen was asleep. From above, the mosquito turned towards the feet of the King, when his eyes fell over the juicy cheek of the King. He admired the idea of landing on the warm cushioned surface and feast on fresh blood.
The mosquito sat on the King's cheek, at the same time, the bed bug bit the foot of the Queen.
The instant reflex from the bite made the Queen swing her hand towards her husband. Her palm slapped the King's face, squashing the mosquito to death. Furious, the King woke up and asked the Queen a reason for her behaviour. When she explained about the bite she had received near her foot, the King ordered to search the bed. The bug was found and buried under the King's feet.
இணர்எரி தோய்வன்ன இன்னா செயினும்
புணரின் வெகுளாமை நன்று.
- குறள் 308
The dormant Kings have woken up to save their Queens, their symbol of love and their tradition, from the alien organisations who have come to take away those which rightly belongs to him. The bugs under his own bed, the government that he had trusted, are now under his feet.
Though any shall commit things painful to bear,
Like a bundle of fire thrusted upon,
Refrain from getting anger.
- Kural 208
In the ancient days, where life was not sophisticated as today, Sallikattu was practised using different rules and regulations. Thiruvizha, a festival, was organised to display the cattle breeds and as a thanks giving ceremony, the breeding bulls were respected and worshiped. On the open ground, a Vadi Vasal, the gateway into the arena, stood between the charging bull and the men who shall ride along with it. The gateway is a narrow path, which the bull crosses to reach the open ground, where men await to cuddle it.
Stopping the sport is revoking my right to demonstrate my bravery.
Present day, rules and regulations have been applied to carry forward the sport. Any society, eventhough it may abide to numerous laws, can never be crime free. There are malevolents present everywhere. Likewise, during Jallikattu certain undesired acts may be carried out, but that is not a reason to stale an activity that is in practise since man made his first step towards modernity.
For this reason, to monitor and abolish any unpleasant acts, Jallikattu has be thrusted upon with several codes, which are authorised by respective chief officials and supervised by law men, allowing a responsible group to conduct the sport after accruing safety measures.
The Bull and the Man are medically examined before. Only if they are medically fit, they are allowed to enter the arena. The challengers were placed under teams, and the united men should wait for their turn to cuddle the bull. Only one participant can ride along with the bull. If too man jump onto the charging beast, the team will be disqualified.
During Man versus Bull, the vainqueur is pronounced after crossing 50 metres inside the arena. If the Man holds on to the bull when he crosses the 50 meter mark, he wins. But if he falls, the Bull takes the cup. There is also a small advantage for the Man - he is elected winner if he holds on to the hump for thirty seconds. All these measures are taken for safety, as well as, not to inflict any sort of damage to the bull. The contestants are thoroughly checked before entering the arena. None is allowed to carry any instrument, neither can they beat the bull.
At the Vadi Vasal, the bull is inspected. Any outside influence that affects its general behaviour or causes pain to the beast, the bull is disqualified by not permitting it to enter the arena and the person responsible will be taken into judicial custody. On the other side of the Vadi Vasal, the bulls are grouped and the respective bull must voluntarily enter the gateway. There are instances where the tail of the bull is bitten or twisted to make it enter into the arena, but it is strictly prohibited now. Authorisations to guide the bull into the gateway and make it cross amidst cheers are currently put into practise.
Like in any sport, there is a risk for the participants to get injured. Medical care with ambulance service for both Man and Bull is provided till the end of the tournament. The sport is halted if any meet fatal injuries.
There are three types of games included in the sport:
Vadi Manju Virattu [Madurai, Pudukottai, Theni, Tanjore and Salem]
The classic cuddling, where the tamer hugs onto the bull by holding its hump and the bull tries to shake him down. It is a marvel to see the bull ferociously charging its muscles to shake its cuddler, while the brave man lifts his legs and flies along with the bull.
Vaeli Virattu [Sivagangai, Manamadurai and Madurai]
An open-to-all game model, where a herd of bulls are unleashed into the arena, and a group of men try to cuddle it. Most of the bulls run away, but few will challenge the participants, where the contestants try to tame the bull in front of a thrilled and cheerful spectators. The brief moment when the Bull and the Man face each other is a mjor highlight of the event, sends chills up the spine.
Vadam Manjuvirattu
The bull is tied to a pole using a fifteen meters long rope and a timer of thirty minutes is allotted to a team of seven members to subdue the bull. It is impressive to see how the bull defends its territory and charges at anyone who tries to get nearer.
Famous Jallikattu locations are:
- Alanganallur
- Avaniapuram
- Tiruvapur near Pudukottai
- Kondalaampatti, Thammampatti in Salem
- Palemedu near Madurai
- Sravayal near Karaikudi
- Kanduppatti near Sivagangai
- Venthanpatti near Ponnamaravathy, Pudukottai District
- Pallavarayanpatty near Cumbum
http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/62...Jallikattu.jpg
When we grow up, together, we play Jallikattu.
If Jallikattu is barbaric, then, we are barbarians. Yes.
- Mappi
காரி கதனஞ்சான் பாய்ந்தானைக் காமுறுமிவ் வேரி மலர்க் கோதை யாள்,
நெற்றிச் செகிலை யடர்த்தாற் குரியவிப் பொற்றொடி மாதராள் தோள்.
- சிலப்பதிகாரம்
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
Na Kashchit Kasyachinmitram na Kashchit Kasyachidripuh,
Vyavahaarena Jaayante Mitraani Ripavastathaa.
No one is a friend per se and no one is an enemy per se,
Friends and enemies are created out of personal dealings and behaviour.
- Acharya Chanakya's Neeti.
At every Begining, An End is Born.
The core sound of Shringa, a trumpet made out of a buffalo horn, was heard once across the battle field. The vibrating waves, brought by the winds from the Vettaiyan Palace, hit hard on the other side. The war sound of the Emperor was drifted back by the buzzing noise from Sena's Ganesha Shankha, the divine conch. Several S-shaped wind instruments, where the wider section called Dhaturo and the thinner section Dhopbana were joined together to form a bow shape trumpet Ransingha, echoed over Karmegha, which was quickly mingled with the mystical noises blown out in unison from Dakshinavarti Shankas, the sacred shanks. Steadily drum roll sounds from both sides filled the gaps of silence between the blows of the wind instruments.
The Motion of Music across the battlefield Karmegha illustrated the energy of the warring warriors - The Emperor versus The Empires United.
"This dawn", Rana rode on his horse back holding Inesh and spoke to the front line of The Battalions of Heaven, "so powerful, will pass an unhindered light of unity. My soldiers, with constant illumination above our heads, we shall gain strength to fight the darkness before us. On this dawn, so mighty, we are not just an army, but a single nation. And Victory shall be its name." The soldiers of the allied forces cheered loudly while banging on their shields and thumping their feet on the ground.
Emperor Dhashakantha sat on his thrown mounted over the platform at the centre of the flat ground outside the Vettaiyan Palace. He watched his huge army assembled in front of him around the Vettaiyan Statue. He stood up and climbed down the stairs taking his time to land on each step, all the while watching, smiling and greeting the captains of his army who stood before each battalion they commanded. He was received by his General on his last step below the stairs. Vettaiyan threw his hand over the shoulders of his General and then, nodded looking at his army. The soldiers shouted in unison, "Ave Vettaiyan, the Ruler of the Ruler. Hail to the General, the Pathfinder." Vettaiyan slowly walked towards the assembled warriors with a big smile on his face. He took few steps back and forth across the line of soldiers making eye contacts and nodding his appreciation at his warriors. He took his time and then said, "Bring me victory, I will reward you in paradise."
Vettaiyan quickly turned and walked back to the stairs and climbed them at a fast pace elegantly transmitting his energy to the whole crowd around him. The army tapped their weapons on their chest over metal armours emitting a powerful sound matching to the footsteps of their Emperor.
"Not for I", Rana continued addressing his warriors, "not for you. You will fight for the soldier next to you. Keep your sisters safe, lend your shoulder to your brothers and bring them both home. This dawn, so strong, will melt fear of the enemy being thrice the size of self. This dawn, so supreme, explodes our courage to perish any evil that may challenge us."
Rana pointed Inesh towards the enemy line and said, "Make them bow with or without their head. Make them kneel with or without their knees. Make them run and burn them with the hot breeze from the swing of your sharp swords." Rana paused and made eye contact with the soldiers before him, "At dusk, we shall rejoice their defeat." A thundering roar uprooted from The Battalions of Heaven that was heard at the Vettiayan Palace.
Nobleman, with a team of advisers, sat beside Queen Vadhana Devi over a raised platform watching the battlefield. Several scopes with different lens were placed on a miniature sand table before him to monitor every corner of the Karmegha. Many army models - blue and red denoting attack and defence of allied forces faced white and black miniatures of Vettaiyan army. Tiny multi-coloured toothpick flags were lying to his right on the sand table. The coloured flags represent the battle formations to be adapted during the war.
"Padayappa", Sena took charge and briefed the army while sitting on his war chariot pulled by four horses, "as you all know already, are the men standing among you all holding military war flag. Your captains have detailed to you the significance of each color on the flag held by Padayappa. They mark the Vyuha under which we battle our enemies. Padayappa will not fight. He monitors and brings news to the Warfield. Two important laws of battle: One, Padayappa safety. Two, follow exactly what Padayappa instructs. A black flag, you retreat whatever be the situation, whether you are winning or we are losing. A yellow flag with a design on it indicates the type of Vyuha to be formed. Rush to join together and stand only when you are inside the Vyuha. Padayappa are vital during war, follow their orders as they are next only to your Chief."
Kanakavalli stepped forward. Several battalions, standing in squares and triangles, moved a step backward and a quiver of archers, in a rectangular shape, took the front line behind her. The archers stood in four rows inside the rectangle form - the Crossbowmen kneeled on one leg in the front, to fire rapid arrows to slow the advancing enemy infantry, followed by the Bowmen with broad head arrows who will shoot straight at the stationary enemies. Behind them were the Longbow Men holding a strong tensioned bow to draw the arrow towards the sky, which will travel long distance and effectively take out armoured soldiers on the other side. And on the last row were the archers prepared with fire arrows to neutralise ballistic devices.
The Captain of the Archers turned and looked at Queen Vadhana Devi. After getting her Leader's permission, Kanakavalli stretched her bow to fire her arrow when Rana gently placed his hand on her bow and downed it towards the ground. He handed Inesh, the mystical bow of his Father, to her. Kanakavalli steadied herself and aligned her arm and shoulder muscles while anchoring Inesh to a full draw. She held to the point firmly - her hand pulled behind her mouth and touching her chin while the string of Inesh crossed before her nose tip. Her foot was rigidly placed over the ground securing the consistency of her draw.
Kanakavalli released the arrow from Inesh. The string made a springy sound effect while the arrow ejected from the bow. The arrow sought past the bow cutting through the wind over the battlefield; entered the enemy front and landed few feet before the line of enemy soldiers.
The First Arrow of the War of Karmegha, shot by Kanakavalli from Inesh, pinned itself to the ground on combat field.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet" - Mahatma Gandhi
Day Zero One - First Blood
The sound of collective hearts pounding circled around The Battalion of Heaven. There was silence on the other side. Nobleman took out his telescope and monitored the reaction to their First Arrow at the enemy front. Four heavily built men, carrying a flat wooden plank, walked over the empty battlefield and placing whatever they carried on the ground, they turned and walked back silently.
Nobleman was taken by shock when he zoomed over the wooden bed at the middle of the battlefield. "First Blood", Nobleman whispered nervously, following which, there were loud murmurs among the soldiers.
Kacha stood confused. He walked to Kalai and raised his eyebrows. Without uttering a word, Kalai marched towards Rana. Kacha followed Kalai. Vadhana stood up without hiding her anxiety. She watched a human form tied up on a wooden plank with both the hands placed behind the head and the right leg crossed over the other - as though someone was lying down and thinking looking at the sky.
"First Blood installs fear", Sena whispered to Kacha, "If a high ranked official is killed early in the battle, that too, if his blood is the first to wet the combat ground, it wil build panic among the soldiers. Each drop of split blood will suck dry their strength and weaken their confidence over winning the war. First Blood creates hesitance, thus, demolishing their courage."
"He kidnapped him not to learn about our war strategy, but to draw First Blood on the First day of the battle", Nobleman announced to Vadhana, "A perfect target to destabilise our brave soldier - death to their very own War Strategist, upon whose plan they have prepared themselves for the battle."
From nowhere a single arrow cut through the soundless atmosphere and stuck itself into the right foot of Yesodha Putran, the ranked official and war strategist of the allied forces who was the currently the occupant of the wooden bed at the centre of the Karmegha.
Sena galloped his horses and turned his chariot towards the battlefield. Rana, grabbing Inesh from Kanakavalli, jumped onto the back of the chariot. Kalai and Sultan quickly mounted on their horses and rode on either side of the bothers who were charging over Karmegha. Nobleman's hands trembled when he moved the military models over the sand table after witnessing the enemy soldiers grouping themselves into a bird like formation. A moment later, he finished arranging a defensive Vyuha on the sand table and immediately Padayappa carried a yellow flag with a square embedded on it. He ran in front of The Battalion of Heaven waving the flag vigorously.
The army of the allied forces moved to either side making way for the horse cavalry of archers. The horses galloped between the standing battalions and raced towards the battlefield behind the four brave men. A unit of swordsmen and spearmen, headed by Kacha, doubled behind the horse archers. Kanakavalli drew her sword and held it high above her head - a direct command to the longbow men to draw their arrows. The horse archers split into two groups and quickly gathered together forming themselves into a square arrangement, their bows fully drawn and aimed at any arriving threat on the silent front before them. They reduced their speed to collect the running infantry inside their box formation. The infantry, led by Kacha and protected from all sides by the horse archers, sprinted together in tremendous pace to catch up with Sena's chariot.
Steadily, a unit of Vettaiyan army advanced towards Yesodha Putran. They moved in a form of a bird with wings stretched out, where: the beak was formed by the two senior warriors - one to control each wing. The wing to the right was the horse riding long swordsmen and the wing to the left was the horse troopers with spears, both cavalry padded with heavy armour. The neck consisted of war chariots pulled by two horses. The tail was filled by the crossbowmen. The captain of the bird formation, One Eye, rode as the single seeing eye of the bird, leading his unit towards Sena and his men.
Sarvatobhadra Vyuha versus Krauncha Vyuha
(Square (box) Formation vs Heron Formation)
Sarvatobhadra Vyuha is a square formation used to secure all the sides. The walls are occupied by cavalry supported by infantry from inside. This defensive formation is used to safeguard and transport important officials out of the battle and bring them to safety during the course of the battle.
Krauncha Vyuha is formed in the shape of a heron which can move faster and cover a wider space in the battlefield. It is used to flank the enemy from both sides, and just like a bird's motion, Krauncha Vyuha can swift and sway deflecting the enemy attacks. The purpose is to pick the enemy out of the battlefield just like a heron catching its fish.
Kalai and Sultan deflected the arrows arriving at them using their long swords. Sena stirred the chariot with his left hand and blocked the bolts launched at him with Arha, the crystal eyed steel sword of his Father. Rana ducked to avoid being hit and quickly drew rapid fire arrows from Inesh towards Krauncha Vyuha creating a wall of fire beyond Yesodha Putran. The warriors inside Sarvatobhadra Vyuha quick drew arrows into the air and were fast approaching the four warriors. Kanakavalli brought her sword down and the longbow men rained arrows to slow down the enemies targets in Krauncha Vyuha.
The collective response of the archers temporarily blocked the advancing enemies. Sena reached wounded Yeshodha Patran at the center of Karmegha, and stirred his horses to make full turn towards the right. For a brief moment the chariot rolled on single wheel. At the same moment, Rana placing his left foot over the side board of the chariot to retain his balance over the one-wheeled-chariot, shot a rope arrow on the plank over which the war strategist was lying with a bleeding foot, the arrow head had completely drilled his right foot and was stuck across. Sena's chariot made a complete turn and raced past Karmegha, heading towards the Empires United camp pulling Yesodha Putran behind it. The Sarvatobhadra Vyuha split into two and the rear half circled the chariot that was pulling Yeshodha Putran. The other half advanced to attack the Krauncha Vyuha, even though they stood no opportunity for success. Their motive was to slow the advancing enemies and gain time for the rescue team to reach safety. Kacha leaped onto Kalai's horse and Yesodha Putran was been transported safely inside the Sarvatobhadra Vyuha. Midway, few more units rushed past them to join the battling warriors at the centre of the battlefield. They cheered when they saw their war strategist being rescued to safety.
Upon reaching the campsite, Yesodha Putran was immediately taken into medical assistance. Rana and Sena watched the fierce battle at the centre of the battle field between their brave men and enemy warriors. The military units of the Empires United, who engaged in battle with the Emperor's men, were massacred mercilessly. The animal cavalry was brought down by killing the animal with spears and the heads of the riders were separated even before they landed on the ground with longswords. The infantry was mowed down by the enemy chariots and the rest were shot in the heart and forehead by the sharp metal arrows from crossbow.
One Eye, the captain commanding the Krauncha Vyuha, caught hold of the last man standing and made him kneel facing Vettaiyan Palace. Standing behind the captured warrior and using his right hand, he inserted an arrow to the side of his victim's neck. He rotated it to drill it out of the other side. Then, he kicked the dead soldier whose breathless body hit the ground sending dust into the air. A load roar sounded from the battalions of Vettaiyan who cheered at the bloody spectacle of Captain One Eye.
Empires United incurred heavy loss of resources, both men and materials, but they successfully brought back their war strategist. The faces of the warriors of the Emperor were painted with smiles after rattling their enemies on the very first day of the battle.
Between delighted soldiers on one side and blank faced warriors on the other, the setting sun in the middle announced the end of Day One of the Battle of Karmegha.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
Or, if there were a sympathy in choice,
War, death, or sickness did lay siege to it,
Making it momentary as a sound,
Swift as a shadow, short as any dream,
Brief as the lightning in the collied night;
That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and Earth,
And ere a man hath power to say “Behold!”
The jaws of darkness do devour it up.
So quick bright things come to confusion.
- William Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ACT1, SCENE1: LYSANDER)
Confession of Confusion
The moon hovered above Vettaiyan Palace spraying its ash white light over the battlefield Karmegha. A single lamp before each tent mounted by the army of allied forces burnt timidly, trying to irradiate the darkness circling around. A sentry guard monitored the activities across the enemy front. He watched a similar guard watching him from the other side through a scope. Several armed soldiers patrolled around the campsite. They moved in pairs of four and covered each corner without encouraging a blind spot. The grand pavilion at the centre was crowded from inside and heavily armoured warriors shielded the entrance.
"It is I who am at fault", Nobleman sobbed, "I buried our units deep inside chaos."
"That's exactly what the Emperor wants you to think", replied Yesodha Putran lying on a soft bed of rags with his right foot bandaged. His body looked weak, his eyes glittered with confidence.
Nobleman shook his head, "I am aged. I have to accept to myself that such tasks are no more for me to deal and I can't handle the results." Nobleman spoke softly, "I have led us astray."
"The body is innocent, young or aged. The mind is the culprit", Rana, seated by the feet of the strategist, spoke carefully at Nobleman, "A mind is something you have, not something you are. It will mislead you, and make you miserable, and you won't even know it. Righteousness is ingrained and is not something that is learnt. Virtuousness is something that arises from deep within us. The problem starts when the mind starts defining what is right and wrong. They are just some false perspective that you carry in your mind that you use to judge yourself."
Nobleman started to weep. His shoulders could not control his guilt. Vadhana Devi moved to his side and gently placed her palm on his right shoulder. Nobleman calmed and lifted his head and looked at Yesodha Putran who was watching him with a smile on his face.
"They kept me in an underground prison with a sand floor", Yesodha Putran started to talk to the crowd gathered inside the yurt. "I can't sit. I can't lie down. And I was naked."
"Thrice a day, I was fed with a grand meal each time, but was offered only one glass of water, which was refilled once at dawn. Suddenly I used to fall asleep, a substance mixed in the food maybe, and would wake up seated inside a tub of warm water. An iron mask pasted to my face blinded me. Tender hands washed me and lifted me out of the tub. Visionless, I walked on the smooth floor, so cold but felt pleasant under my sore feet. By body ached, but my mind was filled with fragrance of freedom. When I reopened my eyes, I was standing on the sand floor of my prison cell without the iron mask covering my face."
"I was right below the war room, all alone with no one to speak with. I was neither interrogated. Silence started to kill me and I started to speak to myself. And I heard what they spoke, rather, I was made to hear all their discussions that was happening above me. My eyes widened. My mind started to vision the horrors. The Emperor is forming a Vyuha that cannot be broken. He is going to capture Rana and Sena inside it. Each day he changed the details. Now I am not sure what exactly he is going to call. A Clown."
"Blinded by the iron mask, I found tender hands dressing me. The soft luxurious fabrics covered me like light feathers. I was placed on a hard floor. Thought it was rigid wood. My hands and body were tied. I could not move, except my right foot which was placed on the left knee. I shook it until I felt like flying. Someone was carrying me. Light rushed on my face when the iron mask was removed. I looked around and revelation flooded inside me. I am the bait."
"The streams of my blood led me to my end. You, my Noblest of all the Wise, brought me inside a box alive. My death could have produced fatal consequences, You, the enlightened one, foresaw it. I would like to thank you wholeheartedly."
Nobleman kept starring at Yesodha Putran. He started to convince himself. He started to fell lighter as though a lump of dirt was washed away clean by the waves of words.
Yesodha Putran paused. He searched for Sena and found him near the window watching the battlefield. He looked straight and smiled at Rana. He turned towards Kalai and finally gave a tiny nod at Sultan to gain their attention. He spoke to them, "Both must stand. Either one falls, it’s the end to all. It’s up to you two to be their shoulders."
Kalai and Sultan nodded affirmatively. Looking at Sena who was gazing the emptiness above the tiny opening, Yesodha Putran called out, "Of all those who are present in here, you know better not to enter the battle field together."
Sena turned and faced Yesodha Putran with his head hung down. He had not uttered a word since the meeting had began.
"You are a danger to each other", the strategist spoke to Rana who was sitting by his feet.
"Remember, one to defend, the other to lead", Yeshodha Putran concluded.
The war strategist of the Empires United closed his eyes and when he reopened them, he announced, "This war will be fought on what Nobleman shall pronounce."
Everyone looked at Nobleman who slowly lifted his head and declared, "At dawn, we attack."
... to be continued ...
-
Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
Seize bolts of lightning from the sky,
And plant them in fields of life.
They will grow like tender sprouts of fire,
And charge sombre thoughts with unexpected flash.
- The Condemned Apple: Selected Poetry by Visar Zhiti.
Day Zero Two - Colliding Stroms
The same sounds from Gahesha Sankha and Sringa trumpet that announced the dawn and the dusk during the day zero one of the battle, echoed around Karmegha when the sun slowly crept over the horizon.
"The moon did not favour us", Kalai informed Sena. "I witness fear in one and the aftermaths of a shock in the other eye. Their shoulders are no more upright. I have led the front to many battles, but never were the warriors exposed to such a heavy pain." Kalai spoke softly, only his clenched teeth announced his anger, "Vettaiyan is a Monster."
"Strength is in the mind, not in the muscle", Sena replied, "Rise the Master, trick the Monkey and kill the Monster."
"Three giants co-exists inside a body - The Master Mind is the guidance to tame the Monkey Mind and to supress the Monster Mind. They eat the other out and each want to be the champion of the body." Sena looked above him and admired the scarlet sky, "Remember this, every giant is a dwarf somewhere else. It just needs a bigger giant to erase the existence of another giant. And hope is the biggest giant of them all."
Sena walked inside the tent and came out supporting the wounded man on his shoulders and stood over the mounted platform. With a crutch planted under his right arm and hugging Sena with the other, Yesodha Putran limped towards the Battalion of Heaven with a smile on his face. Kalai lifted his head and watched Yesodha Putran over the raised platform with Vadhana and Nobleman on his either side. The groups of soldiers cheered.
"We shall not show them who we are. We will reply to them with what we are made of", the words flew as sparks of motivation, carrying vibrations of positive energy and ignited sturdiness among the soldiers by burning their cowardice into ashes of glory.
Vajra Vyuha versus Parigha (gada) Vyuha
(Lightening Formation vs Mace Formation)
Rana's attack versus Vettaiyan's defence
The Empires united army spread themselves into units that were broken from the battalions of infantry and animal cavalry. The horse swordsmen took the front line of each unit, who were closely stuck with foot soldiers holding shorts words and flail weapons. The rear was guarded by the camel cavalry with riders spinning pole scythes. Each unit was supervised by respective captains and they followed two head units commanded by Rana and Sultan respectively.
Rana, holding his longsword Vajastra in his left hand, led half of the ground units to his left, while Sultan flanked from the right ordering his army with his golden spear. The warriors advanced gradually towards the battlefield to meet their enemies who were preparing to move forward in a disciplined manner.
The enemy units consisted of heavy armoured long swordsmen, horse archers, pikes men with blocking shields, rows of heavily built combatants griping a chain mace in each hand. Their charcoal body was made of boxes of muscles. A single large unit commanded by Veera Mahendran, riding on his armoured horse, supervised the defence units.
Rana and Sultan galloped their horses when their army crossed the quarter way mark on Karmegha. They rode forward in opposite directions and the army split into two and followed their leader. Vajra Vyuha was formed while flanking the enemy from either side, as the horse swordsmen took the lead; followed by foot soldiers; and tailed by camel cavalry. They advanced in tiny groups to form a lightening shaped strike force on the ground. It looked like hundreds of tiny lightning bolts crawling over the ground. Their steel weapons glittered under the glowing sun sending electrifying attack signals at the enemy.
On the command of Veera Mahendran Parigha Vyuha was formed, as the units of horse archers grouped into a circle while advancing towards the charging enemy. The circle was lined from inside with four rows filled with defensive units - the front and back with long swordsmen and giants with chain mazes walked in the middle. Two long lines of pikes men closely followed the horse archer’s ring from outside with their block shield held in front of them. Several units commanded by Veera Mahendran moved inside a mace like formation to counter the lightning strike of the enemy.
Vajra Vyuha met with a Parigha Vyuha at the centre of the Karmegha
Rana's battle formation struck the enemy units nonstop, while the enemy's blocked their heavy attack. The horsemen heading the lightening charged with their longswords, which the horse archers forming a ring tried to stop with their arrows. Without giving time for a reorg, the foot soldiers broke into the circle and met with the armoured infantry. Quickly, the riders holding pole scythe entered with their camels and fought with the heavy gladiators. Once a blow was rendered at Veera Mahendran's Parigha Vyuha, the warring soldiers exited the ring while another Vajra Vyuha unit charged in.
Sultan's soldiers retreated after inflicting minor damage to Veera Mahendran's defence. The camel cavalry rode out, followed by the foot soldiers and finally the horse swordsmen rode out of the ring. Another lightening unit, which waited outside the defence ring of the enemy, entered and continued the attack, while the exiting warriors quickly regrouped themselves and struck the rear end of Vajra Vyuha, which was guarded by pikes men.
The attacks were pouring in without giving the enemy time to break the massive blows. One by one the Parigha Vyuha started to fall apart, and the lightening units multiplied in numbers and several units inside Vajra Vyuha started to plunder the enemies. Veera Mahendran immediately ordered his broken units to form into a single Parigha Vyuha, which looked like a massive mace on the battle field. Sultan's tiny lightening units continued to attack from the rear, while Rana's fierce units entered and exited the ring from the either side.
The General watched the outcome of the battle in silence. He hesitated to send reinforcements. Instead, he ordered three units of ballistic devices to launch their stones that were lit by fire at the enemy.
Kalai and Kanakavalli watched the battle from either side of Sena. When the enemy catapults were moved in, Kanakavalli turned and watched the calm face of their commander. Her cheeks turned red when she noticed the ballistic devices being loaded with their fiery stones. She felt the grip on her sword getting wet with sweat when the catapults were turned and positioned towards Rana's lightening unit. She released her fingers to regain the grip on her sword, while waiting for the order from Sena.
Sena watched straight ahead of him. The cool breeze blew without disturbing his sharp eyes. Rana and Sultan were fighting a giant man with chain mace who refused to go down. Sultan kneeled on one leg and Rana stepped on his thighs and pushed himself to gain height. He cupped Vjrasta with both his hands above his head and when he reached the throat level of the giant, he quickly introduced his long sword to the sternal notch of his enemy. He landed back on the ground beside Sultan holding Vjrasta, which was dripping blood, and the giant followed him face down a moment later. Sena shifted his sight and watched the positioned ballistic devices. They were fully charged and were ready to release their ball of fire at their targets. Without removing his eyes from the battlefield, Sena nodded his head.
Kanakavalli quickly pulled her sword above her head and then brought it to her side. The forth row of fire archers took position. They drew their arrows, which were ignited by a single soldier positioned beside each archer. Kanakavalli dropped her knife and held it facing the ground. The fire arrows were fired. A large group of blazing arrows brightened the evening. They flew past the battling warriors and hit directly on most of targeted ballistic devices damaging the wooden frames and burning the ropes that held them together. Most of the catapults were destroyed, but a few maanged to fir at Vajra Vyuha. The lightening unit escaped the fire balls by swaying to their right and left over the battlefield.
Veera Mahendran was losing. He quickly ordered his army to fall back. They were chased by the warriors of Rana and Sultan.
Nobleman placed a black toothpick flag on the sand table and five Padayappa galloped their horses holding a black flag. They ran towards their fighting soldiers covering half the grounds of Karmegha. As soon as Rana and Sultan saw Padayappa, they commanded all their units to retreat and with a huge cry of victory the warriors returned to their campsite.
The enemy's ballistic devices stood burning long past the sunset.
... to be continued ...
-
Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. - Leonardo de Vinci.
State of Things
The sentry guard at Vettaiyan Palace surveilled the Empires United military forces setting up a barricade at the quarter mark of the battlefield.
"The enemies have gained a large territory under a single moon, my General", he reported to his commander who was standing beside him. The General kept staring at the single warrior glittering in red armor. The General spoke severely to the sentry, "Continue the watch, and talk to me only about what I should know."
Sena supervised the construction activity. Sharp knifelike tree barks were erected facing the Vettaiyan Palace. The protective barricade, installed with pointed wood posts, stood about six feet above the ground. They were placed a maximum of two feet apart. Huge tree trunks were extended around the defensive zone to maintain the wooden poles. A side walk was laid along the zone upon which groups of archers took position. On the ground behind the defensive wooden wall, longbow men were stationed aiming their weapon through the gaps in between the poles. At every sixth set of pointed tree barks, a tiny barrack stood to accommodate few pairs of long pikes men. Arrow-firing catapults were placed before the barracks and two men took position beside it. Five watch towers stood across the defensive zone and four sentries holding a gastraphetes, a hand-held crossbow, were position on the top of each wooden tower to monitor the four sides of the battle field. A horn hung around their shoulders, used to send a signal during a potential enemy breach. Units of heavily armored bowmen and horseback shooters were standing on the other side of the barricade facing the enemy front.
"On behalf of the Queen and her allies", Nobleman spoke loudly, "I congratulate you and your men for exhibiting immense bravery on the battle field."
They were inside the pavilion surrounded by the army captains. Vadhana supervised the meeting. Nobleman stood in front of the sand table before a hand drawn map of the battlefield Karmegha. A thin line of tiny toothpick flags, with the Empires United emblem on it, ran across the map delimiting the captured area of Karmegha.
"All glory to the commanders, captains and their disciplined soldiers, Lord of Nobles", Rana replied modestly. The warriors and the men of affairs felicitated each other. An army captain, with a thick and long black hair flowing down his shoulders, stood unmoved in the middle amidst the cheers.
Nobleman looked straight and coupling his hands at his back, he ordered Rana, "Let the briefing begin, Commander."
Rana stepped forward and made a general assessment of military and non-military resources that included a detailed account on the availability of soldiers, war animals, weaponry, as well as, clothing, housing, nursing and alimentation:
Animal Cavalry - Horsemen and camel riders are exhausted. Elephants, the strategic defensive units, are available and can serve as attack forces. Chariots - Single, double, pairs of two, three and four horse driven as well as well as two and paired wheeled can be deployed. Fast chariot archers and pikes men, single or accompanied riders, await command.
Infantry - Out of the four units - Explosive experts, Pikes men, Swordsmen and Archers – Five units of Archers and Pikes men are on standby for defense under Second in Command. Others await further orders. Only two battalions of foot soldiers can be placed on the battlefield. The rest need rest. The joint women military forces, foot soldiers and riders, await orders from the Queen and can be moved in under the Fourth in Command. Bombers, the special ground forces, can assist the infantry under Fifth in Command. They are experienced warriors trained in using heavy close combat weapons including war clubs, halberd and flails.
Siege Weapons – Long range - Trebuchet, mangonel, petrary - and close range – light onagers and heavy catapults - are operational and experts to handle the siege engines are prepared. Lack of wood has slowed down the construction of the siege towers. Assurance that the work in progress will be completed before reaching the defensive wall of Vettaiyan Palace.
"How is the will?", Vadhana interrupted.
"Excellent", Rana replied directly to Vadhana. "The current victory has showered several drops of strength among the soldiers. Commanders have informed me that dry bread and cheese is providing the needed energy to the warriors. Lack of wood poses a problem for lodging and warmth, as the current stock is being utilized for the construction of the defense zone. But this crisis is temporary and will be solved once the Battalion from Heaven occupies the backwaters of river Daboya. No fatal injuries to report. The wounded are being nursed with clean clothes. Few will return to battle anytime soon. Sentry shift is divided and four groups take turn to keep the watch. Surveillance comes directly under the Second in Command, Chief Sena. Armors, weapons and shields are intact, accounted by Sixth in Command, Captain Kacha."
Vadhana nodded her head with warmth of gladness in her smile.
"Permission to speak", the voice of the silent captain startled everyone inside the pavilion. Vadhana pushed her right arm towards her face to permit the speaker to come forward.
"Your Highness", the long haired captain spoke after taking a step forward, "I am Gudakesha, the Captain of the nineteenth regime of Kottaipattinam infantry, serving the army directly under the First in Command."
Gudakesha took his sword and placing it flat over his palms, he knelt down before Vadhana and announced "I shall fight no more."
There were heavy murmurs around the Pavillion. Gudakesha placed the sword on the floor and stayed knelt with his head facing the floor. Vadhana looked at Rana, the First in Command, who tightened his lips and mildly shook his head in disagreement and informed the Queen, "I invited Captain Gudakesha to speak up before Your Highness, as the matter needs a higher audience."
Vadhana looked at Gudakesha's free flowing dark hair and said, "You are free to speak Gudakesha. In my council, everyone will be heard."
Gudakesha lifted his head and confessed to his Queen, "I saw my brother-in-law, Dhaya, at the battlefield. He has chosen to raise his sword against the Empires United. I cannot widow my own sister."
With immense hesitation as though the words struggled to travel from the throat to his mouth, Gudakesha shedding a drop of tear said, "I request my Queen to dismiss me from my duties."
"Kallingapuri and Kottaipattinam were brotherly states", Nobleman said, "until Raja Mahendran rendered his support to the Emperor. The two empires shared many things in common, from culture to family. But this is war. Your first duty is to be at service to the nation. Loss and gain are the two eyes of war. I request the Queen to reject the plea, order the captian to do his duty to the fullest and not to waste precious time over such issues."
Vadhana sat silent for a while watching Gudakesha and then, issued the order, "Gudakesha, the council has heard your plea. I free you from military activities." The room was filled with silent grumbles. Vadhana continued, "But I am placing you at the army bureau of Kottaipattinam. Before dusk, I order you to bring me the list of other soldiers who are unwilling to battle. You may leave now."
Nobleman stood shaking his head in disagreement. Gudakesha stood up and bowed before his Queen. He turned and showed his respects to Nobleman and Rana before leaving the pavilion under the cloud of heavy murmurs.
Rana raised his voice to bring back order inside the room and to set the discussion into the right direction, "Permission to suggest, Lord of Nobles."
Nobleman nodded affirmatively at Rana to continue. "The standby archers units can be advanced to the defense zone and alleviate the infantry units who are currently under the orders of the Third in Command. The eased foot soldiers, thus, can be deployed in the battle at dawn."
Nobleman thought for a while and announced loudly, "Chariots will arise along with the sun." He quickly turned and faced Rana, "Who is the Commander's charioteer?"
"None, Lord of Nobles", answered Rana, "I shall ride alone."
"The battle will be fierce. You need someone to guide you up front while you fight the rear", Nobleman advised.
"I volunteer as the Charioteer of the Commander", Yesodha Putran broke his silence, "My arms, compared to my foot, are stronger." Rana thanked Yesodha Putran with an appreciative nod.
Nobleman went through the map before him. His fingers were moving rapidly over the tunic while his eyes followed the imaginary lines his fingers drew. He lifted his head and looked around him. After a quick search with his eyes, he ordered, "Someone send a word for Second in Command?" Kalai turned and left the tent.
"Our priority is to capture Fort Ayan", Nobleman continued, "At this rate, we will cross the fort in another couple of moons. Once we enter the line of sight of Fort Ayan, we should be prepared to face the heavy attack from cannon Vettai at every single step we take towards Vettaiyan Palace."
"What is the deadline issued to our men who have infiltrated Fort Ayan?" Nobleman inquired.
"Prince Shamu with the salve leader Maveeran, await our message at the dawn after the fifth moon", Rana replied with confidence. Nobleman walked to Yesodha Putran and consulted with him.
Sena's footsteps echoed around the room, which made Nobleman halt his consultation and address Sena, "There you are, Youngman." He gentely raised his right handed and pointed his palm at Kanakavalli, "Our Lady, the Fourth In command, will report to you at dawn. With the archers units under her command, she will relieve the infantry units and stay to assist you. Of course, General Kalai shall retain his honor to defend the Empires United as the Third in Command. The Fifth and Sixth in Command, Sultan and Kacha, will join the Chief of the allied forces at the battle front."
Sena looked at Kanakavalli. With objection in his face, he starred at Rana and then at Nobleman. He exited the pavilion without uttering a word.
"Are the state of things alright, Rana?", Nobleman asked.
"Yes, Lord of Nobles, as always."
... to be continued ...
-
Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not;
Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
- Epicurus [Greek Philisopher, 341 BCE – 270 BCE)
Day Zero Three - Chariot of Desire (part 1/2)
As the hills of Daboya paved way for the rising sun, the gates of the barricade opened and a three wheeled (Rajas, Tamas and Sattva) chariot pulled by four fully armored horses stormed into the battle field. The black (Daivapara), brown (Kamagama), white (Devacitta) and mixed coloured (Pari) stallions provided power to the chariot, inside which Rana stood behind his charioteer Yesodha Putran. Holding Inesh, the devine bow, in his left hand and placing his right hand on his hip, Rana looked straight ahead of him. The Chief's chariot was decorated with spike shields on all side. Yesodha Putran halted the horse driven vehicle at a few distance from the middle of the battle field.
Several units of foot soldiers, each unit made with thirty two close combat warriors assembled behind the chariot under a six by four order. Following the infantry, several types of chariots rode side by side in a line of four. The first group that turned to the left was led by Sultan and the next that curved to the right was commanded by Kacha. In a similar pattern, the chariots regrouped themselves starting from the far corners of the battlefield, within the imaginary frontline drawn by Rana's chariot.
The Empires United army stood closely packed with each other, facing the enemy front. The barricade gates were shut and Sena stood behind it with both his hands on his hips. Kalai stood to his right and Kanakavalli positioned herself to his left. On either side in front of them were the archers. Behind them several trebuchets, the long range siege devices, were erected and ready to fire stone bombs. Few were equipped with flammable chemicals inside large pouches, which upon being shot will be ignited by the fire arrow bowmen. In the barracks between the huge pointed poles, units of pikes men were stationed. The catapults launching rapid-fire arrows at the barrack’s opening were maneuvered by a pair of experts. The sentry tower was active and three rows of soldiers with helmets and chest armors carrying long swords and double-headed spears were standing guard serving as the first line of defense around the defensive zone.
Rana watched the cloud of dust rising before him. Yesodha Putran turned and watched Rana with a smile on his face. He noted Rana's eyes moving aimlessly, trying to follow the dirt floating in front of him. He spoke to him calmly, "Rumination is disturbance of peace."
The words of Yesodha Putran stirred Rana back. He bowed to his charioteer and expressed his concern, "How to explain Sena's silence? Indecipherable. Sena being an enigma is disturbing me."
"You don't know what silence can do!" Yesodha Putran said with a mild laughter, "The enlightened share their wisdom in few words. Sacred is the one who has understood silence as the highest wisdom. Sena is a sage who takes everything in his smile, yet, remains silent. Not in fear of rejection. Not in submission before authoritarianism. But being self-intelligent."
Yesodha Putran took a deep breath and continued, "The time was indeed frozen. In the coldness, forgetting its purpose, the soul dreamt on this world, the place which was created out of a dream. The soul became a part of the Universal Dream, multiplying its own individuality. In this half asleep state, the soul formed a spiral of ego around which rotated the aimless body seeking materialistic desires. Drowned in their thirst of needs, the soul wandered aimless driving its body to places that it shall not visit. Then, came the instruction directly from the Creator delivered through a Messenger."
"In order for the soul to exit from the sphere of dream, the Self should commune with the Spirit."
"Sena is in the state of Kri, indulged in a conversation with the Spirit. He is a social scientist. Not by how he looked at life, but how life had experimented itself on him. He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning. He has nothing, thus has nothing to lose. What he desires is non-desire. What he learns is to unlearn. He cares about nothing but the Self. Thus, he can care for all things. Let him be free from expression, as his communication is elsewhere."
Rana closed his eyes. Peace gradually settled inside him like the weightless white clouds. He heard nothing else but the Voice of the Speaker:
Na prahrsyet priyam prapya, Nodvijet prapya capriyam,
Sthira buddhir asammudho, Brahma vid brahmani sthitah.
"O Brother of the Father's Son, worry not;
Truth shall soon set itself free.
O Blessed One, I am here to show you the path,
And as eyeless and tongueless traveler,
Follow the sound of the Conch."
Rana reopened his eyes and looked straight ahead of him. His vision was cleared. Amidst the polluted air that revoked visibility, Rana saw several types of enemy units assembling before him. Finally, he witnessed the wonderful sight of herds of elephants, armored from tusks to toes, running into the clouds of dust.
Trumpet of aggression from the herd of war elephants echoed around Karmegha. The sound of distress around the battlefield irritated the ears of the chariot horses and made them restless. They shook their heads violently to express their nervousness and stomped their feet to show their impatience.
Yesodha Putran controlled the four horses by pulling the reins tactfully. He sent assurance to the disturbed animals and steadily allowed the horses to calm down. The lead white horse let out a neigh of relief and the other three responded by wagging their tail – an expressive communication was established successfully between the charioteer and his horses.
When the dust cleared, Nobleman watched the heavy army of the enemy assembled at the center of Karmegha. He exhaled, "Chayana Vyuha". Padayappa rode holding a yellow flag with a crescent on it. He reached the Chief's Chariot and delivered the single word message to the charioteer - Hawk.
Rana exchanged Inesh between his hands by pushing the divine bow in the air. Inesh glittered when the first ray of the rising sun touched it during its brief journey between Rana’s palms. He bent down and picked up the Vamavarta Shankha, the conch that has whorls expanding in a clockwise spiral, from the floor of the chariot. Holding Inesh in his right, Rana blew Vamavarta Shankha under the back drop of the rising sun.
The Battalion from Heaven followed the orders of thier First in Command and moved rapidly to form Ardhachandra Vyuha.
... to be continued ...
Footnote
1/
Na prahrsyet priyam prapya, Nodvijet prapya capriyam,
Sthira buddhir asammudho, Brahma vid brahmani sthitah.
- Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 verse 20
Translation by Paramahansa Yoganandha:
The Knower of Spirit, abiding in the Supreme Being, with unswerving discrimination, free from delusion, is thus neither jubilant at pleasant experiences nor downcast by unpleasant experiences. [God Talks With Arjuna Vol.1 Pg: 562]
2/ Rana's Chariot adapted from the description of Arjuna's Chariot in Mahabharatha.
The 4 horses symbolize the human actions:
Black (Daivapara): Predestiny
Brown (Kamagama): At one's Will
White (Devacitta): At God's Will
Mixed coloured (Pari): With respect to space and time
The 3 wheels are the three motions (Gunas):
Rajas, Tamas and Sattva: Transverse (neutral), downward and upward motions
(Gunas : Rajas - Supression of Tamas / Sattva over eachother; Tamas - Negative attribute influencing darkness, Sattva - Positive attribute influencing goodness.
3/ Metaphor from Mahabaratha
Body - Chariot. Self - Riding owner. Intellect - Charioteer.
The rein is the mind to control the senses – the horses, pulling the wheels that are the components to travel the divine path.
4/ Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (600 AD)
Therefore the Master takes action
By letting things take their course.
He remains as calm at the end
As at the beginning.
He has nothing,
Thus has nothing to lose.
What he desires is non-desire;
What he learns is to unlearn.
He simply reminds people
Of who they have always been.
He cares about nothing but the Tao.
Thus he can care for all things.
5/ Kri = to do; (Desire)
-
Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
Ten enemies cannot do a man the harm that he does to himself - Yiddish Proverb.
Day Zero Three - Chariot of Desire (part 2/2)
Ardhachandra Vyuha versus Chayana vyuha
(Crescent (half-moon) formation vs Hawk formation)
Rana's attack versus Vettaiyan's attack
At the two tips of the stationed Empires United army, Kacha and Sultan comanded their chariot units to spread inwards to form two curves that were made to join at the two tips. The outward curve stretched up to the defense zone and the inward curve joined Rana's chariot. Both the inclined lines were filled with foot soldiers who positioned themselves in between the war chariots. At the center of the crecent shape formation, Rana stood inside his chariot with his charioteer Yesodha Putran.
Ardhachandra Vyuha formed by Rana's army spread over the marked zone and stood as a single massive ground force ready to tackle the charging enemy. The Vyuha permitted to cover the entire area without leaving any blind spot, just like the light from the shinning moon creeps all over the land. The dense layer of soldiers can attack individually or in groups without breaking away from the formation. Anytime, a close by unit will be available to assist another unit nearer to it, thus, transforming the units into an unhindered attack force.
Horsemen dress in red uniform and carrying war axes, galloped fast towards the Ardhachandra Vyuha. The group moved inside a triangular formation which resembled to a beak of a hawk. Their leader, Aye, rode in the front, as the beak’s tip, with her face covered by a red scarf. The beak unit was closely followed by several rows of horsemen carrying spears to dismiss enemy war chariots. Their movement resembled to the dancing feathers around the neck of the predatory bird. The body of the hawk was densely packed with ground attack units carrying heavy close combat weapons. The close range catapults with immense attack power, each pulled by four siege engine experts, swayed at the tail end. The two broad wings were occupied by war elephants. Their irregular running movement seemed to be like a hawk's flight with its wings wide open. Two groups of running pikes men moved in separately as the curved talons of the hawk. At the center of the curve formed by a chain of single horse driven chariots above the beak, The General rode on his war chariot; his charioteer managing to control the six black stallions powering the armored cart. He positioned himself as the Eye of the Hawk inside the Chayana Vyuha formed by his battalion. The Hawk formation is a vigorous attack strategy where different types of attack units are dispatched or assembled during any point during the battle. As a single unit they can concentrate their attack by assisting each other, or perform separate attacks at the dispersed enemy. The war elephants are the deadly units supported by the other attack units. The elephant cavalry can create havoc in the war field, as well as demolish the defense of the enemy and also break the enemy’s war formation.
"We must suffocate the enemies by neither giving them space to attack nor time to defend", yelled the General. His army increased its speed, letting out a loud war cry.
"Someone is desperate to win this war quickly", Yesodha Putran informed Rana while riding the chariot into the fog of soldiers before them.
"So, let us redefine quickly for them", saying so Rana drew Inesh and shot the first arrow, which stuck itself on the chest of the rider beside Aye; the force pushed the horse man backward and the victim was dead before he hit the ground. Aye did not mind the fallen soldier. She looked straight and paced her horse towards her enemies. The General’s army moved into the crescent battle formation.
When the two armies met, it looked like a hawk hovering over half-moon.
The Hawk landed on the moon and a fierce battle between the chariots and the pikes men took place at the middle of the battle field. While fighting the Empires United, the beak and the neck of Chayana Vyuha detached themselves and moved into opposite direction to allow the wings to emerge into the front. The chariots fighting with the talons of the hawk faced the elephants charging directly at them. The heavy animals marched over the battlefield running down the chariots. The Empires united chariot cavalry threw javelins at the war animals. The Elephants were unstoppable. With several spears stuck to their foreheads, the maddened elephants violently shook their heads and crushed anything on their way under their pillar feet. Many foot soldiers were killed instantly in the stampede.
The General's infantry in the middle attacked the fallen warrior pushed from their chariots by the elephant cavalry. The close combat units of Empires United immediately came to their assistance by covering the large impact area and fighting alongside with the war chariots.
Aye's axe horsemen unit, which detached itself to allow the elephant cavalry to move in, charged to the left and started their attack on the war chariots commanded by Kacha. The other unit of horse riding spears men moved quickly to their right and surrounded Sultan's cavalry.
Amidst the chaos, the close range catapults advanced gradually towards Sena's defense zone. The objective of the General was clear - to push back the enemies without permitting them to advance, as well as, take over the lost territory. Even though he knew it could be achieved on a single day of the battle, his plan was to position the slow moving catapults nearer to the enemy line. He deployed elephant cavalry to create the needed distraction.
The General's chariot sped through the herds of war elephants closing in with Rana's war vehicle.
Aye looked straight at Kacha and persuading her horse to stand on its rear legs, she said, "We meet again."
"Destiny, perhaps …", Kacha replied and quickly threw a war knife at Aye. She elegantly pushed the approaching weapon away from her with her axe. The two arch rivals threw their sharp blades at each other - Kacha stirring his chariot with one hand and countering Aye's axe with the sword held in his other hand, while Aye circled her nemesis's chariot striking her weapon hard at Kacha.
On the other tip of the crescent formation, Sultan and his unit faced a fierce attack from the spears men. The chariots were no match to the armored horsemen. The horse cavalry circled the group of chariots not permitting them to retreat and forcing them stay in the battle. Sultan pushed his way through the walled horsemen cutting off any resistance with his meqleh, but his unit was taking severe damage.
The General watched Rana from a distance. Rana was pointing his arrow directly at the General. The General was quick enough to dodge the arrow, but the deadly arrowhead rubbed his face mask. Sparks flew into the air when the metal met with metal. Rana saw the General’s chariot cutting itself to the right side and disappear behind the warring soldiers.
The enemy elephant cavalry shattered the inner curve of Ardhachandra Vyuha and reached the outer ring. Beyond the second line of chariots was the defense zone. Several trebuchets fired huge stones to slow down the fast approaching elephants. The stone hit the animals - some took direct hits on the body toppling them to the ground and a few were rolled down by the rolling stones. The war chariots resisted the attack of remaining war elephants. The barricade door was opened momentarily and Padayappa rode out bravely into the herd.
Kacha witnessed the massacre around him while fighting with Aye. Aye gripped both her axes and charged massively at Kacha. Padayappa rushed past the left wing waving a black flag. Immediately, Sultan ordered his unit to retreat, but only half the number of chariots followed him, the rest were torn to pieces and lying around the battle flied. The General's horsemen chased and killed the running chariots. They halted their pursuit close to the outer curve of the crescent formation as they were short of men to break past the enemy line. They turned to the regroup at the center of the battlefield.
The General neared Rana's chariot and found him firing rapid fire arrows at the passing horsemen. Many took direct hits and fell down from their horses. The General ordered his charioteer to turn the cart and take the position behind Rana. He took out his double headed spear and threw it at Rana's back.
At the same moment, Yesodha Putran pulled the rein of the lead white horse commanding it to halt. The other three stallions were still running. The sudden change in motion elevated the Chief's Chariot making it run on two wheels. The swift force drove Rana to lose his balance and fall backwards over the floor of his chariot. As he was falling down, Rana witnessed a spear cutting very close above him. The General laughed loudly slapping his left thigh with his right palm. Rana quickly got up and pointed Inesh at The General, but his attacker rode away and disappeared behind the wall of dust.
The horsemen of Aye chopped half of Kacha’s unit, but they still goat back a fight from the Empires United war chariots. Under the backdrop of the setting sun, Kacha saw Padayappa riding his way waving a black flag, at the same time, dodging several arrow aimed at him. Kacha and his remaining units retreated and entered safely into the defense zone.
Rana ordered his infantry unit to retreat. He stood back covering the retreating unit. Yesodha Putran drove the chariot in circles permitting Rana to rapid fire Inesh at the surrounded enemies. Kalai rode into the battle flied with a small defense infantry unit to guard back the tired soldiers to safety. When his unit disappeared behind the defense zone, Yesodha Putran rode the chariot fast towards the barricade's gate. They were closely chased by the enemy horse Cavalry. Kanakavalli ordered her archers to cover the Chief's Chariot. As soon as Yesodha Putran entered the chariot into the defense zone, the end of the day's battle was signaled by the trumpets and the shankas.
Several wounded soldiers of Empires United who were lying low during the battle gradually crawled back to their camp. Few soldiers roamed around the zone to capture the aimlessly running horses. A small medical unit walked through the impact area looking for any life.
Sena stood watching the enemies, his tiny eyes were fixed on its targets. The General's army stayed on the battlefield without returning back to their camps. Works on installing siege weapons were being carried out. Rana came jogging and joined his brother. They looked at the new settlement of enemy soldiers on Karmegha. Sultan, Kacha and Kalai looked around at the massive army still gathered around their defense zone. Kanakavalli walked to Sena and gently pressed his shoulder.
Sena did not move. Sena did not smile.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Six - The Master, The Monkey and The Monster
அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத் தம்மை
இகழ்வார்ப் பொறுத்தல் தலை.
– குறள் 151 (பொறையுடமை அதிகாரம்)
Pain and Patience
"That is almost one tenth of the army of Kottaipattinam!", Nobleman yelled looking at the list produced by Gudakesha who was standing in the middle of the pavilion surrounded by the commanders and noblemen.
"The military personals shall be relieved of duty with immediate effect", Vadhana spoke firmly.
"But ... But My Queen", Nobleman argued, "After the massive hit we took today, there are more chariots than riders. The list holds several senior members, captains and leaders. A great amount of experience at war will wither. And ... And what if the allied forces raise questions?" Nobleman argued.
Vadhana replied calmly, "A ruler should know the pulse of the people. As an efficient administrator, the ruler will not wait to listen to the people after their unheard plea breaks into a revolt. As a pathfinder, the ruler will take proactive measures to reduce any damage taken by the society. Gudakesha will be in charge to listen to all the soldiers objecting inside the Empires United Army. Every single one shall be exempted."
Rana came forward and spoke gently to Vadhana, "Of anyone gathered here, Your Highness is well aware that we have just faced one fifth of the Emperor's military. To be precise, it is just the size of Kalingapuri army. It is evident that the Emperor is luring us towards a trap by allowing us to advance further inside Karmegha. Our only way to breakout is by capturing Fort Ayan. If the plan succeeds too, we will be facing an army thrice bigger than our own. Moreover, we need soldiers to execute Chaturmukha. A mass dismissal of active warriors will land us weaker before our enemy."
The Queen of the allied forces smiled, "After all we are fighting this battle for the wellbeing of our dearest. There is no point in murdering them and call it a 'Victory'. My war shall not permit a brother to face his own brother." She placed her hand gently over her abdomen and said, "By the will of our Father, a path to victory will arise on Karmegha. We jointly will overcome the obstacles."
"With the enemies at our gates, this decision will yield fatal results", Nobleman raised his voice.
Vadhana looked straight ahead and said, "The dawn is nearing. Let's invest our words to plan a counterattack against enemy forces."
Nobleman walked back to the sand table nodding his head in disagreement and Rana joined him after dismissing Gudakesha. Yesodha Putran watched Sena silently walking out of the pavilion followed by Kalai.
Kalai stood stressed out beside Sena, while watching the numerous glowing fire torches across Karmegha. Witnessing the enemies not returning to their camps but settling on the battlefield near the defense zone, Kalai wondered how fierce the war would be at dawn. He feared that the enemies will begin their attack immediately after the first ray of the sun peeps Karmegha. The current defeat in the battle made him nervous and doubt if they were prepared for a quick and massive attack. He keenly surveilled the enemies moving around before him under the moonlight. He saw the sleepless sentry guarding the defense zone. Kalai turned and looked at Sena who was gazing at the darkness above.
"This war," Kalai spoke, "I am aware that wise men predicted its end on the third day. Yet, here we are watching the enemies straight into their eyes. But I fear we are not as powerful as we had begun. I see a huge army before me. And at my sides, only a few tired warriors. Is my vision showing me the beginning of our end?"
Sena smiled and spoke without taking away his eyes from the darkness above, "Patience." He turned and looked at Kalai, "We just have to withstand this army for two more moons. By then, the stronghold will come under our command permitting us to restrict the enemies inside their own territory. The rest of the battle field will be empty to activate Chatrumkukha. We will lure the enemies into the Vyuha by faking a shutdown of Cannon Vettai."
"Hears well to my ears", Kalai said impatiently, "But I am afraid you are skipping the battle part and speaking only about the control, which we had already lost. If at all we manage to defeat the enemies in front of us, more will appear to replace them. We will be fighting waves of never ending soldiers. And we lack men to battle from dawn until dusk."
"We will stand our ground," Sena replied calmly, "Only if this assembled army is defeated, more shall come. We will keep them where they are."
"Not clear to my brain as it is to my ears", Kalai sought an explanation.
Sena smiled and narrated to him a Tale of Patience, "Once a fox, while jumping over a broken sledge, cut its tail deeply. It jogged for a while, but the pain mounted quickly along its spine. It took shelter inside a shrubbery. It tried to lick its bleeding tail, but its tongue could reach only half of the open wound. It laid down still inside the shrub. The scent of its blood attracted a swarm of flies. They sat on its tail and fed on the torn flesh. The fox suffered huge pain from the bites of the flies, but it did not move. Slowly his whole tail was conquered by the blood thirty flies, and the fox laid down like a silently suffering stone. After a while, the buzzing stopped and the flies just sat on the wound, coating the entire affected zone as a cloud of darkness."
"A rabbit passed by. It saw the fox. Scared it prepared to run away, but when it noticed the wounded tail being attacked by a cloud of flies, it pitied the victim. It cautiously woke up the suffering animal. The fox half opened its eyes. The rabbit asked the fox, 'You seem to be in immense pain. Shall I drive away the flies?'"
"The fox replied, 'No my little friend. The flies are fast asleep after a great meal. If you drive them, many hungry ones will come.'"
Along with Sena, Kalai stood watching the grey clouds moving fast above their heads.
... to be continued ...