Madurai Meenakshi (OS) The Challenge- on Pg 28 - Page 11

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Followed by his troops the king silently made his way back. The moonlight filtering through the thick foliage, cast strange patterns on the ground. There was eerie silence - except for the rhythmic sound made by the hooves of the trotting horses, occasionally broken by an owl's hoot or a hyena's howl

But the king was seemingly unperturbed. Taking grateful gulps of the cool night air, he marched on silently. He had not expected to make this return journey alive.

It had been a day of surprises for him, not least seeing his daughter on horseback wielding weapons with the ease of a consummate warrior. But her attitude after the war caused him some worry.

Thataatakai or Illaya Pirati (young princess )- as her soldiers called her respectfully, had insisted on making makeshift slings to carry not only the injured soldiers back but also the dead ones. This was unheard of. Usually, the dead were conveniently abandoned while the injured were left to fend for themselves till a rescue party was sent.

But the Illaya Pirati, would not hear of it. She unloaded great rolls of jute cloth and instructed her soldiers to make arrangements to carry the injured soldiers back. Then she personally hoisted each dead soldier's body on a horse, even scouring the area for remains of the soldier's weapons.

Malayadhwaja could see the gratitude in the soldiers' eyes

"Aren't we wasting precious time, daughter? We should be turning back. There's no telling if the enemy is still lurking somewhere" the king asked

"My men are equally precious to me, Father. They have sworn their loyalty to us. How can we leave them behind?

" And this man here..." she continued, pointing to a dead soldier, "His son is waiting for him at home. How can I inspire that son to join the army if I cannot give him one last chance to see his father?"

Malayadhwaja was silent.

After they had collected the dead and injured, the Pandyan army mounted their horses, in preparation for the return journey.

"Illaya Pirati..." called out her soldiers as the princess dashed once more to the scene of the battle.

What are you doing?" cried out her father.

The setting sun was casting its last rays, bathing the whole place in golden light.

As everyone watched in amazement, Thataatakai dismounted from the horse beside the body of a soldier.

"That's the enemy..." called out one of them.

Making no sign of having heard, Thataatakai placed her palm on the dead soldier's forehead for a minute and gently closed his vacant eyes.

A collective gasp rose from the Pandyan army

Then she proceeded to the body of another soldier and did the same thing.

The whole place seemed to have acquired a surreal glow.

Some said they could see the spirits of the soldiers ascending upwards. Some swore that the Illaya Pirati was a goddess, granting moksha to the fallen warriors.

The princess returned, sombre. "In death, no one is enemy."

Now, on their way back, the king was perturbed by the strangeness of his daughter's conduct. Yet, his overwhelming emotion was one of overwhelming relief- relief on having emerged from the battle alive, relief on having found an heir to his throne.

The Pandyan army was marching steadily, navigating the narrow forest path

Thataatakai was guarding the rear. Twice she sensed some movement behind the bushes. She scanned the area but found nothing. But her instincts told her to beware. And as a warrior she had learnt not to ignore her instincts.

The third time though, there was no mistake. There was a definite rustle in one of the branches of a distant tree . She looked around and saw- she could have sworn- the gleam of an arrow tip. There was no doubt who the arrow was meant for.

She galloped ahead to warn her father, but the arrow beat her to it. By the time she reached her father, he had fallen down, the arrow firmly lodged in his chest. Blood was gushing out.

In his dying moments, Malayadhwaja realized, he had never been destined to reach Madurai alive. He slipped the imperial ring off his finger and placed it in his daughter's hand. Summoning the last ounce of his energy, he raised her hand and declared "Madurai maanagara Mahaarasi... ( the new queen of the great Madurai).

The soldiers surrounding them, though shocked chanted in unison "...Vaazhuga... Vaazhuga (Long Live...")

she is in her human form but she is still mokshadaayini, the one who gives salvetion.

Really thrilling! The divine mother giving moksha to all the dead people and giving treatment to the living. And Malayadhwaja's final blessing - Madurai Maanagara Mahaarasi - really great! She is and will be the greatest of all Arasis (and Arasars).

Thanks for the PM 😊
A true soldier she seemed to be in every aspect.Just one question.Was Meenakshi already the queen of Madurai when she invaded Kailash or She became the queen only after her marriage to Sundareshan.?

In death no one is enemy.. A true warrior, a true queen, a true devi..!

i am just speechless ❤️

Thanks for the pm Varaali. Wonderful writing. The flow and narrative very good. 👏

Originally posted by: lysander22

Thanks for the PM 😊
A true soldier she seemed to be in every aspect.Just one question.Was Meenakshi already the queen of Madurai when she invaded Kailash or She became the queen only after her marriage to Sundareshan.?