The before-mentioned Chera king was allowed to come occasionally to visit the temple; and some mutual regulations of peace and good faith were made by the two kings. The Chera king designed to give his daughter in marraige to the Pandians, which the younger brother of the latter, named Raji-Mamam, understanding, went to Kanchi and surreptitiously by craft effected that marriage for himself. In consequence the Chera king conceived an idea of installing his son-in-law on the Pandian's throne; and with this object snt, with his son-in-law, his own uncle and a large army. When the army had arrived within two yojana (or twenty miles) of Madura, the learned the object of the invasion, went to the temple, and said, "This Chera king, your devotee, with whom good faith was plighted, is now coming to dethrone me; what ought I to do?" While he thus prayed a celestial voice was heard saying, "Go out to-morrow with all your army and I will give you the victory." The next morning the king accordingly left the fort, with an army which resembled a continuous river running into the sea. The two armies joined battle, and there was a severe combat for the space of fifteen Indian (or six English) hours. The people of both armies were fainting for thirst, when in the midst of the Pandian's troops a water-booth became visible, and the god within, in the shape of a Brahmin, caused Ganga in his crown of hair to pour forth her streams, which he received in his hands, and however numerous were the people that came for water they were all instantly supplied. Thus the Pandian's troops were enabled with renewed strength to carry on a vigorous combat, ending in the capture both of the Chera general and of the king's younger brother. Both of these the Pandian King carried before the god, and presenting them, asked what was to be done? The reply was, "You are just and merciful, do according to the dictates of your mind." On receiving this oracle, the king gave Cheran the escort of a few troops, and sent him back disgraced to Kanchi. To his own brother, he appropriated some portion of that brothers' former revenues; and afterwards ruled the kingdom, even as a mother governs her family.

 

 

 

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