Silappadhikaram - IX

Silappadhikaram

(Literary Appreciation)

9

In the Court Room

Gate keeper announcing, Kannagi entered the court of

King Pandian Nedunchezhiyan with her other

anklet in her hand. With her hair spread,

eyes expressing a mixed feeling of

sorrow and anger, she appeared like

Goddess Kali.

The King asked Kannagi,

" With flowing tears, you have come to my court,

Oh, young lady! who are you ? "

Kannagi replied,

"Oh, foolish King ! the innocent person who came

from Pukhar to Madurai

driven by his fate and killed by your guards on your order

while trying to sell my anklet is Kovalan.

I am his wife, Kannagi "

The king said,

" In the process of justice killing a thief, there is nothing wrong.

please understand."

Kannagi told the king,

" You understand, it is my anklet with precious ruby stones "

" Let us check, the queen's anklet is with pearls, "

the king said.

The anklet recovered from Kovalan was placed

before Kannagi. She took the anklet and to open it

she threw it on the floor. The ruby stones from the

anklet spread all over the court.
The truth like lightning struck in the court hall.
Seeing the truth in the form red rubies, the King
Pandian Nedunchezhiyan trembled.

What an injustice  he had caused............!?
" Without proper inquiry, I believed the words of the
gold smith. Am I King ? I'm the thief. 
Let me die..." saying this the king collapsed,
fell on the ground and died.

The shivering Queen also, saying, " there is nothing 
 any equal or parallel to show and console  for 
those who lost their husbands " fell on the ground and died.
Three deaths: of Kovalan, the king and the queen successively.
Tragic end.

This is the objective of the author, Ilango Adigal to

emphasize  for those in rule who commit injustice,

the same injustice will turn as god of death.

Here, the fate was more active to play its role.

                                                                                          ................. 10