After Sembagamara Pandian, who was a great devotee of Siva, had departed to dwell in his presence, there followed a succsssion of fifteen kings, down to Kulesan, who was so learned, that a place was accorded to him on the college bench of Brahmins; and poetical composition continued to be held in great esteem. One named Ideikaden, knowing these circumstances, composed some works greatly celebrating the king, which he recited before him. But the king took little notice, and gave no sign of approbation, and no reward. Stung with this neglect, the poet went to the presence of the god, and there be sought him to avenge the injury. The god favourably heard the request, and by an illusory act of will caused the image of himself and the goddess to disappear, and he removed, together with the college and Ideikaden, to Vada Mathurai, on the south bank of the Vaigai river. The next morning when the guardians of the temple went to open the doors of the shrines to their dismay, they found no images there; which circumstance they went and reported to the king, together with their fears about the future prosperity of the place. The king, greatly disconcerted, came down from his throne cast himself in the dust, and made piteous lamentation; when messengers came to announce to him that the god and goddess had been pleased to appear at Vada Mathurai, a circumstance never before known. The king on receiving this intelligence set out, without state, not even walking, but passing over the intervening distance by rolling over his body on the ground. When he arrived, he repeated his lamentations, eagerly inquired, if theft, the craft of trees or birds, the fault of learned men, or his own transgression of the law of Manu, had occasioned this heavy visitation? A celestial voice was heard, stating, that not for any such cause; but that partly as this was a place where the god's friend, Kuberan, (the god of riches), had performed worship, and partly because of the insult rendered to Ideikaden, the god had been pleased to descend and remain at this place for a time. The king, being now instructed, greatly honoured Ideikaden, by the gift of a young elephant, (a peculiar honour to poets), and by the donation of very fertile lands; Ideikaden, being satisfied, chanted the king's praises; and the former order of things being restored, the king received many gifts from the god, together with a son, named Arrimartana Pandian, whom he caused to be crowned; and delivering to him the kingdom, Kulesan himself received an unfading immortality.

 

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