Indian Antiquary Vol 61

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 166

152
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ August, 1932
Chêkônpadaviyum tannittundu "And we have been granted the rank of Chekor.. Chêrânperumal tamburanum
“The emperor Chéraman Perumal. Niraparayum viļakkum vechchu “With the lighted lamp and the measureful of
rice, Aditya chandrane sakshiyákki "With the sun and moon as witnesses. Nálu kûttavume tannittundu
"Four assemblies have been given us. Innine sthånum irippullappo!
"When we have such dignities Panenre kûte ñanpônô amme
"How can I go, mother, with a Panan? Ponnum panavume ortu ninnal "Wealth is your only consideration." Ennu paraññaval pókunnunde Saying this she moves along, Kannirum kaiyayipókunnundu
And weeping she goes. Going inside, she opens the room, takes a jar of oil, rubs her hair profusely with oil and walks along unattended until she reaches the riverside, where she asks a Kanakkan boy to row her across. Not having any money to pay the ferry toll, the boy refuses to row her across until she removes and gives him one of her gold ornaments. When they reach the opposite shore the boy learns who she is, when he falls at her feet, returns the piece of gold and pleads for pardon. Unniârchcha continues her journey until she reaches the Putturam fields. Årômar, surprised to see his sister coming, wonders how she got the news. ... His mother replies that she could have known only by divine intercession. The daughter approaching falls at her mother's feet, while the latter blesses and comforts her. At sight of Unni&rchcha, the Vâsunnor and the Nayars rise up, when Arômar makes a sign to them to sit, saying that it is none but his sister that is coming. Arômer enquires how and why she has come. Unni. ârchcha, breathless with emotion, replies as follows: Innale padira nêrattingal
“Yesterday when past midnight Urakkattil sopnavum kandu nanum
“I had a dream, and Nēram pularchchakku enirru nánum "I got up at daybreak, Atitali vêgam karichchitallo
"And, finishing my household work, Ammódu yatrayum chôdichappo! " Approached mother for leave to go. Pânane tuna kûtti pôvân cholli "Thereupon she asked me to take a Panan with me, . Avasi tanne nadannu panum
"Straight away I walked along alone, Chodichchariññu pônnitallo
" And found my way home." Arômar then guides her inside and tells her of his engagement to fight, when she falls unconscious. Sangile vellam itukkunnundu
Water is taken in a conch shell, Nûrronnu mantram japichu úti And chanting one hundred and one magical
spells, Unniâychchakku tannir kodukkun Is given to Unniârchcha to drink.
nundu
On regaining consciousness he consoles her, explaining the reasons which had weighed with him in accepting the engagement. Taking off a ring he gives it to her, saying: "If "a son is born to you, let him be brought up bearing my name, and wearing my ring. He “should be well trained in physical and fencing exercises, and if any one should ask for his "services for angam fighting, don't you stand in the way of his going. You should, on the con"trary, see that he is sent with those who need his services. Let not the prestige of the land suffer, "nor the kalari be dishonoured or its name and fame allowed to suffer in the least. Father's " fame is at stake ; father is very old, and while I live I cannot see him killed by anybody. “When in the days of my boyhood, father was engaged in single combats, aunt (father's sister) " bore it like a bold woman. Grandmother also was then alive. In the same manner should "you bear up. In the name of our guardian deity do not gainsay me, my sister.”
Having thus consoled his sister, Arômar continues his ceremonies late into the night, until he is startled by sobs, and, turning round, sees Kuñjannuli, his wife. "If you are going