59 (a). THE TORTURE TREATMENT. The very next morning, the king demanded the chief minister, “When will my horses arrive?” The minister replied that the horses are expected within the next three days.
Meanwhile they had to expand the horse sheds and dig new wells and ponds. The city should be decorated to receive the horses. All these arrangements kept the king busy for the next three days. On the fourth day the king lost his patience completely. No one knew how much gold was taken away from the treasury. No one knew how it was spent. No one knew when or whether the horses would arrive! What kind of a business dealing was this? He called the master torturer and told him to start his treatments and make sure that the king’s gold was returned in full. The torturer asked the minister, “When will you repay king’s gold?” The minister did not reply. He was wondering how he could return the gold that had already been spent! Heavy stones were place on his body. But Siva bore the load and spared the minister of the suffering. The onlookers were wonderstruck by this. His arms and legs were crushed with pincers. Nothing affected him as he was in deep meditation on Lord Siva. He was locked in a dark cell and the torture continued. Soon it was dawn. The sound of songs, Vedas and thiruppalli ezhuchi mingled. The minister cried out, “Is it wrong to love Siva? Is it wrong to serve Siva? Why are these punishments given to me?” THE MAGICAL HORSES. Siva decided that it was time to play another divine prank to save his devotee from the tortures he was being subjected to. He ordered his Siva Ganaas,” Go and round up all the foxes you see. Change them into sturdy horses. You too become the horse riders. The Aashaada maasam is over. It is time to hand over the horses to the king. I too will become a horse rider and go with you”. All the foxes were rounded up in a place. They were changed into sturdy horses with every aswalakshana. The Siva Ganaas changed into strong and smart horsemen, dressed in the proper clothes and carrying the proper arms. Siva transformed himself into a handsome soldier. The anklets worn by the brave men adorned his ankles. The sword of wisdom glittered in his hand. His forehead was smeared with viboothi. He wore rich clothes and gold ornaments. He rode the Vedas transformed into a horse.The four Purushaarthaas namely Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha formed its four legs. Karma Kaanda and Gnaana Kaanda were its two ears. Para Gnaanam and Apara gnaanam were its two eyes. Vidhi was its face. Agamaas were its ornaments. Pranava was its reins. It lived in Brahma’s face. The trotting sound made by the horse was the sound of eighteen different musical instruments played in unison. All the magical horses traveled west wards. The Veda turned horse was in the center of the group. The noise made by the group was like the roar of an ocean and made the mountains tremble. THE ARRIVAL OF THE HORSES. The people were amazed to see to such a large group of horses – each of which was sturdy and strong. They watched with interest as the horses trotted by. The neighing of the horses, their foot steps, the conversation among their riders, the sound of the blowing horns and beating of drums could be heard in Madurai, even when the horses were miles away. It was as if the seven seas in different hues had risen up together. The king became joyous. He ordered his minister to be released from the prison. He presented him with silk, jewels and gold. The horses did not arrive as per plan. Siva delayed the delivery of the horse. The king threw his minister in prison again. Again the sound of the horses was heard. The cloud of dust filled the city. When the arrival of the horses was confirmed, the minister was released again. The king was very pleased with those horses.They appeared so sturdy so strong, so tall and so talented. “Who is the leader of this group?” the king demanded to know. “I do not know sire!” replied the minister. Siva did not come froward claiming to be the leader. Instead he invited the king to watch the show of talent and training imparted to the horses. He made his horse run, walk an trot in various styles. All the Siva Ganaas did the same with their horses. “Who is the leader?”Siva came forward.”It is I!” At the sight of Siva the king forgot himself and did anjali to Siva. HANDING OVER THE HORSES. “I was paid handsomely in gold by your loyal minister for these horses. The moment I hand them over, our business finishes. Whatever may happen tomorrow, there will be no dispute between the two of us!” Usually this was how the horse trading was done.So the king agreed to it. Siva went on to explain the the types of horses, their characteristics, nature, talents, how well they would fight, from which countries they had been imported etc. He went on elaborate the greatness of each of those countries. He spoke about the colors and circle marks on the bodies of the horses and their interpretations. Each horse was decorated with anklets, kinkini, silver bells, sandal paste and kumkumam. They were shown deepam and dhoopam also. Siva shouted, “Long live the king!”. All the horses except the one Siva rode had changed hands. Siva wore the pure white silk given by the king on his head. The other Sivaganas received silk in various hues. They all took leave of the king and went back. The citizens were happy to witness these happenings and returned home. The minster was honored and showered with more gifts. Siva had an enjoyable time relating to his Devi of how the cunning foxes were transformed into handsome horses. <http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/worldmalayaliclub/> *வாழிய செந்தமிழ்! வாழ்க நற்றமிழர்!* *வாழிய பாரதமணித் திருநாடு!* *வணக்கம்* *சுப்பு* [image: Law Article] -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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