#pandya

A lot of knowledge gone indeed. Takshashila was conquered by the Hunas, Sveta-Hunas and Alchon Hunas and there was the Turk Shahi and Hindu Shahi dynasties (both were Hindu and Buddhist rules, the Hunas embraced Hinduism). This coincided with the decline of the Kushan Empire and the Gupta Empire. Four centuries later, Ghazni would invade the region.

Pandya, who dwelt on the coast-land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds to Yudhishthira.

This Pandya king is addressed by two names in the epic - Malayadhwaja and Sarangadhwaja. 'Malaya' and 'Saranga' both mean "sandalwood" and the name is derived from the Tripuranthaka aspect of Shiva, who made Malaya mountains (named for the Sandal trees that grow on it) his yoke during the burning of the triple cities. He is a very fascinating character.

During Yuddhishtira's Rajasuya, Pandya and Chola monarchs brought gifts which were accepted, but they were not allowed inside.

And the Kings of Chola and Pandya, though they brought numberless jars of gold filled with fragrant sandal juice from the hills of Malaya, and loads of sandal and aloe wood from the Dardduras hills, and many gems of great brilliancy and fine cloths inlaid with gold, did not obtain permission (to enter).

Discrimination! Discrimination!

His country was annexed by Vrishnis at some point and his father was killed by Sri Krishna himself.

It was he [Krishna] that slew King Pandya by striking his breast against his . . .

He yearned for vengeance and trained under the renowned teachers of that era for that purpose. Even if he couldn't have killed Krishna, he was capable of causing great damage, as we can see later. But he listened to good counsel and gave up his revenge fantasies for the greater good. Very admirable indeed.

The mighty Sarangadhvaja . . . his country having been invaded and his kinsmen having fled, his father had been slain by Krishna in battle. Obtaining weapons then from Bhishma and Drona, Rama and Kripa, prince Sarangadhvaja became, in weapons, the equal of Rukmi and Karna and Arjuna and Achyuta. He then desired to destroy the city of Dvaraka and subjugate the whole world. Wise friends, however, from desire of doing him good, counselled him against that course. Giving up all thoughts of revenge, he is now ruling his own dominions.

One can even say that Malayadhwajan became a karmayogi before Krishna advised Gita to Arjunan, by not chasing personal glory and fighting selflessly for the people who were consistently bad to his clan.

Praised as "hardly inferior to Indra on the field of battle" and "followed when he fights by numberless warriors of great courage", Malayadhwajan led one of the 7 akshauhinis of the Pandava faction and fought valiantly until the 16th day of the battle. I don't understand what was he doing with those Pandavas who wouldn't let him or his father (I not sure about the timeline) enter the Rajasuya yajnasala.

On the 16th day, as he was destroying Karna's army which "began to turn round like the potter's wheel", Ashwatthama challenged him to one-to-one combat. When he fought Ashwatthama, Karna destroyed the army that surrounded him and Ashwatthama destroyed his chariot, as his arrows were unable to pierce the King himself. The epic says that Ashwatthama was quite excited by this fight and didn't slay Pandyan when he got an opening because he wanted to fight for some more time. Malayadhwajan climbed a stray elephant and threw lances at Ashwatthama who narrowly escaped with his beautiful crown shattered. This infuriated him and he killed the king, his elephant and the final six warriors that followed their Lord.

At this, Ashvatthama blazed up with exceeding rage . . . and took up four and ten shafts capable of inflicting great pain upon foes. . . with three the two arms and the head of the king, and with six he slew the six mighty car-warriors, endued with great effulgence, that followed king Pandya . . .

It felt like he was been thrown on a sizzling hot pan. He pulled his head out of the sand, spitting the sand which had made his way into his mouth. He got up and looked around. After their expenditure beyond the sea, they were coming home when a Pandian ship had clashed with theirs. And the reason was the storm. They had clashed because of the mist. He knew that he was on a coast and that his family will send a ship to search for him.

      He started to look around for any survivors. After searching for a while he came across a person whose whole body submerged under the sang except his right hand. Happy to finally see a survivor he started to dig him out, hoping that he would be alive. When the person was fully out of the sand, he turned him over. To his uttermost shock and horror it was the Pandian king. 

      Though he was feeling light headed, he forced himself to open his eyes. At first, all was bright, then his eyes adjusted to the brightness and he saw the figure infront of him. 'Who is this? am I in heaven? I must say though, this man is Handsome.....' The Pandian King thought to himself. Then he figured out that the man infront of him is none other than Chakravarthi Sundar Chola. 

      They both stared at each other.      "What are you doing here?"    "Same can be asked to you"    "Well.... You know what has happened right? we should look for the survivors" Veer Pandya said. As he was about to get up, Sundar Chol grabbed his hand and stopped him.    "There's no need, I have already checked. You are the only person I was able to find." Veer stared at him for some time and plopped beside him.    "So.. now what?"    "I think we have saty here... Till help arrives or we figure something out"    "Oh parmeshwara! So I am stuck with my rival?"    "Look I am much keen about it either, but we don't have an option." Sundar Chola said getting up and holding out his hand for Veer Pandya who smiled mischievously, accepting his hand.

_Time skip_

      It has been a whole week since he had been stuck with this Pandian Bighead. But SC did have to admit that this Bighead was charming.

( I am just writing the initials because it's a pain to write their whole names everytime. So it's SC for Sundar Chola and VP for Veer Pandya)

      "So... Paran..... How's it back at home? You have a wife?" VP asked.    "Yes, I do."    "Oh" a frown appeared on VP's face, but he quickly hid it. But SC had noticed it.    "How many?" VP asked.    "Only one, though it is causing some internal problems with the ministers, but she is nice...."    "Ooooo"    "Yeah, and now I got a letter last month that she is expecting, so.. our Kingdom is going to get their hair mostly within a few months.... What about you?"    "Not yet... Though they were discussing about it when I left... I don't know what awaits for me back at home... And congratulations by the way."    "Hmmm....." And they walked onn....

_Time skip_

      It's been a few days since he had found out that his new friend had a wife and an unborn child. He didn't understand why but he used to feel a weird sensation whenever SC used to touch him... Whenever they used to talk.... Whenever he was around. SC was very handsome, like really handsome. There were times he wasn't able to keep his eyes off him. He didn't know why he felt that way, it was new to him.

      Currently he was on a coconut tree, trying to pluck their dinner. They were thirsty too.

      "Aae! Careful! We don't want your head cracked, do we?" SC yelled at VP from below.    "Will you shut up! It's soo dark up here! Stop yelling at me!" This got SC to shut up.

      He just stared at VP from below, collecting the coconuts he was throwing from above. The person above him was a charming man. He had a great sense of humour and was optimistic half the times. He knew that he was a bit attracted towards him, he liked everything about him... Though SC had to remind himself that he himself had a wife back home and that he was going to be a father. He kept those thoughts aside and looked to the man on the tree who was coming down.

   "Do the Pandian Royals live on coconuts? You seem pretty skilled with all this"    "Do the Cholas have the pass to the moon? Because I am seeing a piece of it right in front of me" VP replied in a mischievous tone.    "What?" SC said feeling a blush creeping up his cheeks.    "Oh! You know what I mean Paran, wait...... there is something on your cheek-" VP said coming hear him.    "Where?" SC asked giving VP a sceptical look while moving his hands to his cheeks.    "-Right there" VP said leaning towards him. He got his hand up, which like looked like it was going for SC's cheek. But to SC's shock and delight, he wasn't met with VP's hand, but with his lips.

      His lips lingered on SP's cheek far more time than a 'just friend' would. He pulled back looked at the moon. His moon. SC stared at him frozen but a look of pure happiness played on his face. His mouth was also opened with shock.    "Come on, we should get to the shelter, and please close your mouth." With these last words he picked up his coconut and started to walk towards theit makeshift shelter.

_Later that night_

      They both were laying on the opposite sides of their shelter. Their backs were facing each other and both were lost in thoughts.

      SC touched the area in which VP has kissed him. Still feeling that it was all a dream. He now knew for sure that he loved this man. More than a friend. But now he felt as if he was playing a game of tug and war. One side there was Vanama, his wife, who was now carrying their child. On the other side there was VP who was.... Well.... He didn't even had the words to describe their relationship. Two men can't fall in love. Can they?

      On the other side, VP was blaming himself for his actions earlier this evening. He didn't knew what had took over him when he had kissed his cheek. 'Oh parmeshwara! I have kissed his cheek! He has a wife! And a unborn child! How can I do this! Ohhh my........and worst, we are both boys!' his thoughts kept repeating.

_The day after_

      It was raining furiously. The Sun was playing hide n seek with the clouds. They both were sitting under a podium type of thing. They thought that it was a piece of an old and forgotten temple.

      But their focus wasn't on the rain. Just before the rain, when they were hunting, SC have had a big accident. The portion from his right side of neck to the right shoulder was bloodied. VP was tending to his wounds. They were inches close.

  "How can someone mess up so bad with hunting? And you are a King!" He said slowly applying the medicinal ointment.    "I know but I got distracted..."    "Distracted? By what"    "Nah.. I can't tell you that."    "Arre tell me na!    "Nope!"    "Please..." VP kept asking him... Which finally got him to break.    "It's because of you!" There was a shocked silence between them.    "Me?"    "Yes you! Ever since last evening I am not being able to keep you out of my mind!"    "And what about your heart?" VP asked him, giving him look of pure love.    "Yes, the heart too" SC replied in a whisper. They stared at each other for some time. VP took one look at SC as he leaned forward.

      The world slowed down as their lips met. The kiss took SC off-guard. VP Started to pull back as he felt SC freeze a bit. But he felt a muscular arm push his head forwards, deepening the kiss. SC thought that he was in heaven when he came back to his senses. He instinctively grabbed VP's head and pulled him forward deepening their kiss. VP slowly moved his hand to SC's cheek. Tenderly moving it on his flesh, pulling each other closer than one can humanly do. SC moved his free hand through his hair. The kiss intensified. Because of VP's force, SC slowly felt his back touch the ground. VP was on top of him.

•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••~•••••

Ha ha ha a cliffhanger! Don't worry there's going to be a part two.

You guys wanted a kiss and a romantic scene? Here you go. Enjoy. I hope this was upto your expectations

@ragkee @whippersnappersbookworm @moon-880 @favcolourvibgior @thirst4light @dr-scribbler @nspwriteups @thereader-radhika @vibishalakshman sorry if I have forgotten to mention, some of you had requested for this on Wattpad. I am sorry if anyone felt that this was boring or not up to the story you guys wanted. I have never written a gay couple or a kissing scene so it was a bit awkward for me to write. But I hope that you guys liked this oneshot. Instances mentioned are completely fictional. If any confusion, let me know! :)

Any suggestions and feedback appreciated.

∆ Requests Accepted ∆

IPL 2018, MI vs KXIP: Hardik Pandya and I want to bring tradition of exchanging jerseys into cricket, says KL Rahul

By: Sports Desk | Updated: May 17, 2018 1:58:29 pm

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul exchanged their jerseys after the match.

In a moment rarely seen on the cricketing field, Mumbai Indian’s allrounder Hardik Pandya, and KXIP batsman KL Rahul, who scored 94 runs in 60 balls, but failed to take his side to victory, exchanged their…

OC Moodboards - Pandya Verma

“This is why I can't have a full-time job.” Pan says, after a little while.

“Huh?”

Ravidasan: Tell me the truth, girl! You've not lost your heart to the youngster’s [Vanthiyathevan] beauty, have you? Nandini: Chi, chi! What words! How can anyone talk about a man’s beauty? Only in this debased Chozha country do people rejoice over a good-looking Emperor. Aren’t battle scars the only signs of beauty in a man?” Ravidasan: That's well said.

Sundaran was a name frequently used by Pandya men, not Cholas. The first Pandya king who was named Sundaran is believed to have been Siva himself and he is worshipped as Sundareshwaran, the husband of Queen Thadathagai (Madurai Meenakshi).

Quite funnily, Meenakshi's brother (Vishnu) is also called the handsome one - Alagar.

Alagar giving away his sister Meenakshi to Sundarar

The pairing of Veeran and Sundaran as brothers' names is repeated throughout Pandya history. Veera Pandyan mentioned in the novel too had a brother named Sundaran. Veera Pandyan's Sivakasi Copper Plates say,

Just like Maha Vishnu (Upendran*) who conquered the world by his prowess had Devendran as his elder brother,  he [Veera Pandyan] had an elder brother named Sundarapandyan, who was a refuge for scholars.

This prince could have been a scholar and poet like Kandharadithan and Veera Pandyan could have been the more militarily active brother. Anyway Sundaran died when he was young, probably before Veeran rebelled against Cholas (we don't know if Veera Pandyan himself offed him ☠️). He constructed a pallippadai (sepulchre temple) Sundara Pandyar Isvaram-udayar Kovil, for his dear annan after he became the king.

Now the temple is known as Kalainathaswamy Temple and the village is called Pallimadam. This temple was quite famous in the academic circles during the time of publication of Ponniyin Selvan because it is the only Pandyan memorial temple that has survived to the present day.

An article published by The Hindu about the temple

Basically, Kalki is hinting that Nandini who is associated with Pandya rebels doesn't even know the basics of Pandya conventions or the bare minimum details about her dead 'master'. This is another historical easter egg like The Curious Case of Parthivendran. She is just bluffing and coasting with whatever little she knows and hoping that her emotional appeals will work. It is obvious that she got this idea from the rants of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the veteran of 24 battles who bears 64 scars on his venerable body.

Meanwhile Ravidasan who really needs Nandini's Lankan coins is like

Bonus information: Pandya dynasty fell apart due to the civil war between another Veeran and Sundaran 🤣 in the 14th c.

* Upendran - Younger brother of Indran. This might be a bit confusing. In the beginning of early texts like Rig Veda, Vishnu is a minor god and Indra, as the King of Gods and the personification of the forces of weather is a mighty God. Later, Indra's influence reduced and Vishnu overtook him. Gradually, 'Upendra' came to refer only to Vamana, one of the avatars of Vishnu who was born as a younger son of Aditi. Still this Vedic influence can be seen in several later texts too, calling Rama and Krishna 'Upendra'.