The Pinnacle of Sacrifice - Volume 1 Ponniyin Selvan - Part 5

By C.V.Karthik Narayanan

An engineer by profession, Karthik Narayanan (1938) was born in Calcutta and had his early education in Tuticorin. He is an industrialist and heads companies that manufacture automobile components. He has occupied a number of important positions like the President of the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, President of the Automobile Research Association of India, Chairman of the Southern Region of the Association of Indian Engineering Industry, Member of the Senate of the Annamalai University.

Steeped in South Indian history, its arts and culture, KN is an avid reader of all the novels “Kalki” wrote, and is an accomplished player o of the percussion instrument the mridangam. KN is also an enthusiastic traveller, trekking in Himalayas being a favourite hobby.

Married to Uma who is an accomplished translator of French and Tamil books and Managing Trustee of the SOS Children's Villages of India-Chatnath Homes and the Karna Prayag Trust, KN has a son Ramgopal, daughter Gayathri and a granddaughter Niveditha.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: Aug 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9789352859528

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The Pinnacle of Sacrifice – Volume 1

Ponniyin Selvan - Part 5

Author - Kalki

Translated by - C.V.Karthik Narayanan

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Table Of Contents

1. The Three Voices

2. The Coming of Murugayyan

3. The Sea Rises

4. The Nandi is Submerged

5. A Calf Separated from its Mother

6. Murugayyan Weeps

7. The Joy of the People

8. Pazhuvettarayar Goes in a Boat

9. The Banks Burst

10. The Eye Opens

11. The Mandapam Falls

12. The Comet Disappears

13. Kundavai asks for a Boon

14. Vanathi’s Oath

15. The Roof Floats

16. Poonkuzhali Sprang

17. The Elephant Flings the Mahout

18. The Duped Mahout

19. Thirunallam

20. The Young Fledgelings

21. Life Hangs by a Thread

22. Joy and Sorrow

23. The Armies Arrive

24. Strategy Session

25. At the Entrance to the Fort

26. Vanathi’s Entrance

27. Stop Here!

28. The Cheers Rise

29. A Disastrous Doubt

30. Mandakini Becomes a Goddess

31. The Time has Come

32. The Final Stage

33. Aiyo! A Ghost!

34. Go Away!

35. The Monkey Grip

36. Pandima Devi

37. An Iron Heart Melts

38. Is This Play-Acting?

39. Engulfed in Darkness

40. I Killed Him!

41. The Fire Spreads

42. Malayaman’s Sorrow

Characters

Emperor Kandaradithar: the late monarch of the Chozha empire.

Sembianmadevi: dowager queen, widow of Emperor Kandaradithar.

Maduranthaka Thevar: their son, a prince raised as a renunciate.

Emperor Paranthaka Sundara Chozhar: reigning monarch.

Empress Vanamadevi: Sundara Chozhar's queen, daughter of Thirukkoilur Malayaman.

Aditha Karikalar (Crown Prince), Arulmozhivarmar (Ponniyin Selvan): Sundara Chozhar’s sons.

Kundavai Devi (Ilaya Piratti): Sundara Chozhar's daughter.

Anirudha Brahmarayar: Sundara Chozhar's prime minister.

* * * * *

Periya Pazhuvettarayar: Lord of Pazhuvoor, Keeper of the Treasury, Chancellor of Sundara Chozhar's court.

Nandini Devi: his queen, the Pazhuvoor Rani.

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar: his brother, Kalanthaka Kandar, the Commandant of the Thanjavur fort,

* * * * *

Ravidasan (a magician), Soman Sambhavan, Idumbankari, Devaralan: Pandya conspirators.

Sengannan Sambuvaraiyar: Lord of Kadambur. Kandan Maran: his son.

Manimekalai: his daughter.

* * * * *

Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan: a warrior of the royal but impoverished Vana clan, friend and emissary of the Crown Prince.

Thirukkoilur Malayaman: a princely chieftain and grandfather of Aditha Karikalan also known as Miladudaiyar.

Parthibendran: a Pallava prince, confidant of Aditha Karikalan.

Eesana Bhattar: a Saivite priest,

Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, also known as Thirumalai: a Vaishnavite, Aniruddha Brahmayar's spy.

Kudandhai josier: an astrologer.

Sendhan Amudhan: a young man in charge of the temple garden.

His mother: a mute, skilled in traditional medicine.

* * * * *

Poonkuzhali: a boat girl who rows Vandiyathevan across to Eezham.

Thyaga Vidanga Karaiyar: her father, the keeper of the lighthouse at Kodikarai.

His son: the boatman who rows the Pandya conspirators across.

Rakkammal: his wife, an avaricious woman.

Kodumbalur Poodhi Vikrama Kesari: the elder Kodumbalur chieftain the general of the Chozha forces in Eezham.

Mandakini: a Karaiyar woman (a deaf mute) whom Sundara Chozhar fell in love with when young; the person who rescued Ponniyin Selvan from the Kaveri.

Kalapathi: the captain of the Chozha ship.

Kinship terms/forms of address

anna: elder brother.

appane: an affectionate way of addressing an equal.

akka: elder sister.

thambi: younger brother.

thaaye: mother/a senior or important lady

swami/sami: respectful term of address.

chithappa: father's younger brother,

The story so far

We hope that whoever reads this book will also have read the previous four volumes - The First Floods, The Cyclone, The Killer Sword and The Crown. The synopsis Kalki prepared has been translated below and provides a brief summary for the reader's convenience and enhanced enjoyment.

* * * * *

A thousand years ago, Vijayalaya Chozhan laid the foundation of the second Chozha empire. Victorious in every direction Chozha warriors expanded the territory of the empire. During the reign of Emperor Sundara Chozhar, Veerapandyan, the last representative of the Pandya dynasty of Madurai, was killed and the Pandya country merged with the Chozha empire.

Aditha Karikalan, the eldest son of Emperor Sundara Chozhar, who beheaded Veerapandyan was anointed Crown Prince. He lived in Kanchi as the general of the Northern forces. Through Vandiyathevan, a scion of the ancient Vana tribe, he sent a scroll inviting his father to Kanchi to live in a newly-built gold palace.

Emperor Sundara Chozhar was not only paralysed by a stroke and bedridden in the palace, but also deeply afflicted by a psychological disease more painful than his physical disability.

In his youth, when Sundara Chozhar was marooned on a small island adjoining the country of Eezham he was rescued from a bear by a mute Karaiyar girl. He fell in love with her and they lived happily together for some time on that island.

During that period, Sundara Chozhar did not imagine that he would become the future emperor. Soldiers sent by his famous grandfather, Emperor Paranthakar, found him and took him back.

Rajadithar, the eldest son of Emperor Paranthakar, attained the warriors' heaven battling the Rashtrakutas at Thakkolam. His younger brother, Kandaradithar did not have any children. His other younger brother Arinjaya Chozhar was married to Kalyani the beautiful daughter of Vaidumbarayan. Sundara Chozhar was their only son. Before his death, Emperor Paranthakar decreed that Kandaradithar should succeed him and in turn be succeeded by Sundara Chozhar.

After ascending the throne, Kandaradithar, a devotee of Shiva, married Sembiyanmadevi, the historically renowned daughter of Mazhavaraiyar. A son Maduranthakan was born to them. In spite of that Sundara Chozhar ascended the throne after Arinjaya Chozhar ruled for one year. Maduranthakan was raised as a renunciate and never allowed to think of ruling the kingdom.

Sundara Chozhar became emperor as per his grandfather's desire and after obtaining the consent of all the princes. He married Vanamadevi, the daughter of Thirukkoilur Malayaman. Two brave sons and a dear daughter were born to them. As Sundara Chozhar’s empire expanded so too spread his fame. However, he was tortured by the guilt of having denied the throne to Maduranthakan.

After he fell ill his conscience grew louder. To add to this he started hallucinating that the ghost of the mute girl he had loved and abandoned in Eezham was torturing him. For these reasons he started thinking that it would be better to convince his sons Aditha Karikalan and Arulmozhi Varman to relinquish the succession in favour of Maduranthakan, the true heir to the throne.

From the time of Vijayalayan the Pazhuvettarayar clan had enjoyed a tremendous influence in the Chozha empire. Periya Pazhuvettarayar was Sundara Chozhar's chancellor and Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, the Commandant of the Thanjavur fort.

Sundara Chozhar trusted them implicitly and wished never to do anything against their wishes.

The Pazhuvettarayars and a number of Chozha princes hated Aditha Karikalan, because of his boorish manner and hasty temper.

Karikalan's sister Kundavai Piratti and brother Arulmozhi Varman, had endeared themselves totally to the people of the Chozha country.

Therefore the princes were jealous of them also. Due to these reasons the princes wanted to crown Maduranthaka Thevan as per the law of succession. They resolved to do so, in a secret conclave, which they held in the palace of Kadambur Sambuvaraiyar located in the north bank of the Kollidam. It so happened that the proceedings of the secret conclave came to the notice of the Vana warrior, Vandiyathevan.

After delivering Karikalar's scroll to Emperor Sundara Chozhar, Vandiyathevan met Ilayapiratti Kundavai at Pazhayarai. As though reliving earlier births they fell in love. As per Kundavai’s desire, Vandiyathevan went to Lanka to bring her brother Arulmozhi Varman back. A boat girl Poonkuzhali rowed him across to Eezham. Meeting Arulmozhi Varman in the neighbourhood of Anuradhapuram in Lanka, Vandiyathevan gave him Kundavai’s scroll which said Ponniyin Selva! The kingdom is in danger. Come back immediately!

During his childhood, while on a pleasure cruise on the river Kaveri, Arulmozhivarman accidentally fell into the river. Nobody in the boat noticed this. A woman appeared in the river rescued the child and disappeared after handing the child to the people on the boat. Many believed that it was Mother Kaveri who disappeared after rescuing the prince. Thereafter Arulmozhivarman was given the name Ponniyin Selvan.

Ponniyin Selvan who in later days was destined to achieve historical fame as Rajaraja Chozhan was then engaged in the war in Eezham. The defeated Lanka king Mahindan was hiding in the hills. A section of Buddhhist bhikshus requested Arulmozhi Varman to crown himself the King of Lanka. Ponniyin Selvan refused.

In Eezham, Arulmozhivarman saw a deaf mute, a woman who roamed the forests like a demented person. Often she rescued the prince from certain death. He realised that she was the one who had rescued him from being carried away by the river Ponni. From her drawings he learnt about his past. He learnt about the boundless love between Mandakini and Sundara Chozhar when they were young. Vandiyathevan also happened to meet this woman in Eezham. He wondered at the resemblance between her and Periya Pazhuvettarayar's Ilayarani Nandini.

As a child Nandini grew up in the house of a temple priest in Pazhayarai and drew Aditha Karikalan's attention. Kundavai however was jealous of her beauty. Even as a child Nandini was sent to the Pandya country as ordered by Sembiyanmadevi. In the final battle with the Pandyas, Aditha Karikalan went in search of Veerapandyan and found him in Nandini’s small hut built on the bank of the Vaigai. Nandini pleaded with him to spare Veerapandyan. Unheeding, Karikalan beheaded Veerapandyan.

Later Nandini married the old Periya Pazhuvettarayar. The conspirators Ravidasan, Revadasan, Soman Sambhavan and Kiramavithan, the erstwhile bodyguards of Veerapandyan had sworn to exterminatic the Sundara Chozhar clan to avenge Veerapandyan's death. Nandini helped them secretly.

The conspirators met secretly in a jungle adjoining the Kollidam and crowned a youngster belonging to the Pandya clan. Nandini herself undertook the responsibility to kill Aditha Karikalan and the conspirators vowed to kill Sundara Chozhar and Ponniyin Selvan.

The ship in which Ponniyin Selvan sailed from Eezham to Kodikarai was hit by a cyclone and sank. With Poonkuzhali's help, Arulmozhi and Vandiyathevan saved their lives and came ashore. Poonkuzhali and her cousin Sendhan Amudhan rowed Arulmozhi to the Choodamani Viharam at Nagaipattinam.

Kundavai Piratti and the Kodambalur Princess Vanathi met Arulmozhi in the Nandi mandapam built on the canal bank near the Choodamani Viharam. Since there was confusion and conspiracy in the Chozha kingdom, Kundavai requested Arulmozhi to stay on for a while longer in the Choodamani Viharam and regain his strength. Ponniyin Selvan with his unbounded respect for his sister, agreed.

Learning that the mute lady Mandakini was alive, Kundavai desired that she should somehow be brought to Sundara Chozhar. Mandakini had come to Kodikarai to see Ponniyin Selvan. By the orders of the Prime Minister Anirudhar she was forcibly abducted and taken to Thanjai. Near Thanjai she escaped. Following the conspirators Ravidasan and Soman Sambhavan who entered the Pazhuvoor palace', Mandakini reached Sundara Chozhar's palace, through the treasury dungeon. Thinking that she was Mandakini's ghost, Sundara Chozhar threw a lamp at her. Kundavai and others rushed to him to tell him the truth. Sundara Chozhar intensively disliked her reentering his life. Whether she realised it or not, Mandakini disappeared again.

Periya Pazhuvettarayar and Ilayarani Nandini arrived at the palace of Kadambur Sambuvaraiyar. Aditha Karikalar also did so after receiving her scroll. Vandiyathevan met him on the way and tried to prevent him from going to Kadambur telling the Prince about the conspiracy against him. He also told him that Nandini could be his sister. Without heeding him Karikalar went to Kadambur.

The princes of the land wanted somehow to avoid civil war. So they talked to Karikalan about a compromise. They told him that he could have the portion of the empire north of the Pennai and Maduranthakan the southern, Pretending to agree, Karikalan said that a decision could be taken if Maduranthakan was brought to Kadambur, Periya Pazhuvettarayar left for Thanjai to bring Maduranthakan. Karikalan and Vandiyathevan went hunting in a dense jungle adjoining the Veeranarayana lake. Nandini and Sambuvaraiyar's daughter Manimekalai had gone on a pleasure trip, to one of islands adjoining the lake. The four of them met on the shore of the lake, where they had a meal.

Long before this event Manimekalai had fallen in love with Vandiyathevan and once rescued him from a big danger.

When Karikalan happened to meet Nandini alone for a short time he told her that she was his sister. She refuted it by saying that it was misinformation.

To the accompaniment of the yazh, Manimekalai sang in her sweet voice. While they forgot themselves in the joys of the music, their boat was carried away by a storm. Later in the evening, Sambuvaraiyar took them back on bigger crafts. Now readers can commence reading the fifth and final part of this historical novel which we have split into two portions for convenience.

CHAPTER 1

The Three Voices

Ponniyin Selvan waited patiently in the Choodamani Viharam in Nagaipattinam. His heart was bursting with the desire to go to Thanjavur to see his parents and to prove that the allegation he was trying to take over as the ruler of Lanka was baseless. He also longed to be exonerated as quickly as possible of the accusation of having acted against his father's wishes. However, he kept his feelings under control, determined not to leave for Thanjavur until he heard from his elder sister.

But he found it difficult to pass the time. He spent a while taking part in the daily aradhanas and poojas performed by the Buddhist bhikshus and looking at the wonderful scenes painted on the walls of the Choodamani Viharam.

He enjoyed talking with the bhikshus, particularly the Acharya Bhikshu of the Choodamani Viharam, who had travelled to many places beyond the eastern seas. Starting with China, the Acharya Bhikshu had visited several countries right up to the island of Chavakam. He was very good at describing the cities and the people of these countries.

In those days, many islands south of China, were under the Sri Vijaya empire. The countries of Arumana Nadu, Kambhojam, Manakkavaram, Thalaithakkolam, Mapappaalam, Mayirudingam, Ilankashokam, Thamaralingam, Ilamuri Desam were either directly under the control of the Sri Vijaya empire or on friendly terms with it. The great city of Kadaram, radiant with matchless glory and wealth, was the most marvellous of them all.

Whenever the Acharya Bhikshu was free, Ponniyin Selvan asked him to describe these places. The Acharya Bhikshu spoke tirelessly of their great beauty and their burgeoning commerce. He described the splendours of that country that could even equal the Chola country with its abundance of natural and mineral wealth in gold and precious stones, paddy and sugar cane. He talked of the long standing connections between Tamil Nadu and those countries. He described the wonderful temples that the Pallava craftsmen who had gone there had sculpted. He spoke of how the art, music and dance of Tamil Nadu had spread to those countries. He spoke of how epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, deities like Vinayakar, Subramanya, Siva, Parvathi, Thirumal and even the Buddha Dharma were so closely intertwined in the minds of the people there that they could no longer distinguish one from the other, and so they prayed to all the deities. He said that Agasthya, the father of the Tamil language, was especially venerated by the people and many temples had been built to him.

Arulmozhivarmar had asked the bhikshu to repeat all this over and over again so often that it became firmly recorded in his mind. He questioned the bhikshu minutely about all the land and sea routes to those countries, the facilities available on the way and the dangers that lay in wait.

Swami Are you likely to go to those places again? he asked.

Everything happens as Bhagavan Buddha wishes. Why do you ask, Prince? the bhikshu replied.

Because I would like to go with you.

I am a sanyasi who has renounced the world and you are the revered son of the Emperor who rules over that world. How can you and I journey together? I find even the responsibility of protecting you in this viharam for a few days a great burden. My heart pounds all the time, worrying about what might happen any moment.

Swami! I can relieve you of that burden at once. Now, this very moment, I will....

Prince! That's not what I really meant. Even though watching over your safety might be burdensome, I still think I am fortunate to be able to do so. Your father, the Emperor and your elder sister, the Ilaya Piratti, have done so much for Buddha Dharma. Nothing we do can repay even a thousandth part of the debt of gratitude we owe them. Or by any means can all the help you extended to Buddhism be thought of as trivial? Can we ever forget the way you helped us renovate the ruined stupas and viharams in Anuradhapuram? It was in gratitude for that service that the Buddhist bhikshus came forward to offer you the Eezham crown. Prince! Why did you refuse it? If you had ascended the independent throne of Lanka, you could have travelled with an escort of hundreds of ships and an enormous entourage to all the eastern countries and the desire to follow this Buddhist bhikshu on his travels would have never been born in your mind, the Acharya Bhikshu said.

Gurudeva! Have you read the Maha Whimsam, which describes the genealogy of the royal family of Lanka? asked the Prince.

Ayya! What a question! How could I have become the head of the Choodamani Viharam without reading it? Forgive me! To ask if you’ve read the Maha Vamsam is like asking if you're literate. You know the dastardly deeds the members of the royal family mentioned in the Maha Vamsam committed. A son who imprisoned his father. A father who stabbed his son and killed him. A mother who poisoned her son. A son who threw his mother into a fire and tortured her. If relationships between parents and children were like this, why talk of uncles, aunts, step-mothers, brothers and sisters? Gurudeva! Doesn't the Maha Vamsam describe many such atrocities the royal family of Lanka committed?

Yes, yes! It also speaks of the punishment they received. The Maha Vamsam cites these examples in order to exhort people to follow the path of dharma. Don't forget that. It is a sacred book and its teachings on dharma cannot be compared to any others the worlds offers! exclaimed the bhikshu in agitation.

Swami I don't mean to find fault with the book! All I meant to say was that the lust for power can make rishis even more cruel than rakshasas. Was it wrong of me to have rejected the throne of Lanka tainted as it is by so many terrible sins?

That's precisely why the wise men of the Buddhist sangam wished to change the ruling dynasty of Lanka. They wanted to start a new dynasty with you as its founder. You were wrong to refuse it. Seated on the throne of Lanka, you would have had the opportunity to protect and spread the doctrine of the Buddha all over the world like Ashoka Vardhana.

Gurudeva! Where is Ashoka Vardhana who ruled the whole of Bharathakandam under one umbrella and where am I, a young man hiding, seeking sanctuary in this Buddha Viharam? How can you compare the two of us? To be honest, I’m not fit to be even your disciple. Then how can I protect the Buddha Dharma?

Prince! Don't say such things. You have no idea of the strength that lies hidden within you. If you accept Buddhism with all your heart, you'll certainly achieve fame like Ashoka...

From the time I was a child, I've always enshrined gods like Vinayakar, Murugan, Parvathi, Parameswaran, Nandi, Bhringi and Chandikeswarar in my heart. Will I not have to throw them out to make place for the Buddha Dharma? Gurudeva! Forgive this servant. When I spoke to you about accompanying you on a pilgrimage, I had no thought of becoming a Buddhist. I wanted to travel with you because I yearn to cross the seas and visit distant lands. But on second thoughts...

Prince! I misunderstood you. Still, it's not as though you don't have a connection with Buddhism. In one of his incarnations Bhagavan Buddha was born as the Emperor Shibi, who cut off his flesh to save a dove's life. The Chozhas belong to the dynasty of Shibi. That's why everyone in your clan has the title, 'Sembiyan’. Don't forget that....

"I haven't forgotten, Gurudeva. Even if I try to do so, the blood that flows in my body will not allow it. On the one side, the Emperor Shibi and Manu Needhi Chozhar, who are part of my flesh and blood and bones exhort me: 'Help others. Sacrifice your comforts for them’. On the other side, Karikala Chozhar, Vijayalaya Chozhar and the Emperor Paranthakar, who are also part of me urge me: Pick up your sword. Muster the four armies. March in all four directions. Cross the seas. Expand the Chozha empire to heights not yet scaled. On the third side, the Saivite devotees Kochengannar, Aditha Chozhar who occupied Thondai Mandalam and the saint Kandaradithar, all of whom have a place in my heart, constantly counsel me: Renovate the temples. Build large Siva temples and gopurams like Mount Meru which touch the skies. I am confused, caught among all these ancestors. Gurudeva! I can't bear the way they bully me. Sometimes I feel I should adopt the Buddha Dharma and become a bhikshu. I implore you, talk to me about Buddhism, about Lord Buddha.

The bhikshu's face filled with joy. Prince! Can there be anything you do mot know about Buddhism and the Lord Buddha? he asked.

Tell me what the paintings on that wall mean. There’s a painting of a prince trying to go away at night. What is it about? Who is the woman lying by his side? And the child sleeping in the cradle? Why does the prince look so anxious? asked Ponniyin Selvan.

Ayya Bhagavan Buddha was a prince like you in his youth. He married a woman of incomparable beauty called Yasodarai. They had a boy whom they cherished dearly. The father was about to hand over the reins of the kingdom to him. But, Siddharthar felt he had to find a way to alleviate the miseries of the people in this world. He therefore decided to leave his beloved wife, his precious child and the kingdom. That is the scene depicting him leaving the palace at midnight. Prince Haven't you heard this story before?

Yes, yes. I’ve heard it often. But seeing it in a painting is far more impressive than listening to the story. I feel like waking up the sleeping Yasodharai, warning her Siddharthar is leaving her, telling her to prevent him doing so. All right. Tell me about the next painting.

One by one the Acharya Bhikshu explained all the paintings, depicting the story of the Buddha. Hoping deep within him that Arulmozhivarmar would become a Buddhist, he spoke of Siddharthar's life with great enthusiasm. Finally, he came to the painting that showed Siddharthar attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi tree after having performed penance.

When he had finished explaining this painting as well, Ponniyin Selvar said, Ayya! If I express an opinion that disagrees with yours, will it make you angry?

Prince! I've trained myself to control the five senses and the mind. So please feel free to say what you want to.

I don't believe Siddharthar received enlightenment when he sat under a Bodhi tree.

The face of the bhikshu who had mastered his five senses fell.

Prince. In Ashoka Vardhana's time, a branch from the Maha Bodhi tree was taken to Lanka. Though it is more than a thousand years since the branch took root, it still thrives and its foliage spreads over a vast area in Anuradhapuram. You must have seen that holy tree in Anuradhapuram. How can you say you don't believe this? he asked.

Gurudeva! I'm not saying there is no Bodhi tree nor that Siddharthar didn't do penance under it. But I do not believe he received enlightenment while seated under it. He was already enlightened when he abandoned his wife, his child and a kingdom in the middle of the night and set forth to find a way to alleviate human suffering. I've not heard of a more impressive act in history. Rama sacrificed his kingdom to keep the promise given by his father. Bharatha refused the kingdom because he loved his brother. Maharaja Harichandra gave up his kingdom to keep his word. Emperor Shibi cut off his own flesh to give refuge to a dove. But Siddharthar had not made promises to anyone. He did not have to please anyone. He willingly renounced everything he had in order to find a way to alleviate human suffering. Did Lord Buddha do anything as marvellous as this after he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree? How can it be wrong to say that he received enlightenment the moment he was leaving the palace?

Ponniyin Selvar's words fell like nectar on the Acharya Bhikshu’s ears.

Ayya! There's truth in what you say. But it was only while he was seated under the Bodhi tree that Lord Buddha realised how human suffering could be alleviated. Bhagavan started talking to people about enlightenment only after that.

Swami! I've heard Bhagavan Buddha's discourses. I feel that his act of renunciation teaches us more than all his talks do. Forgive me. I would like to emulate him. Didn't I tell you a little while ago how I hear in my mind, the three different voices of my ancestors? I want to be freed from them. Accept me as your disciple, said the Prince.

"Prince! I must surely have earned great merit in this life to have been given a disciple like you. But I do not think I have the capacity or the courage to accept