Sivakami's Vow
                 Chapter One
Travellers
One evening in the summer season, two pilgrims were walking
towards the city of Kanchi in a Rajapath along the banks of Lake
Mahendra. One of them was Ajanupaku, who grew to a height of
over six feet; Saffron robed Buddhist ascetic. Due to severe
austerities or other strenuous activities, the body of the Buddha Bhikshu had become dry and hardened. His countenance does
not inspire love or devotion; It was kind of scary.
Another traveler was a young eighteen-year-old boy
with a well-built body and a pale face. Both the pilgrims looked
tired after traveling a long distance. "How far is it to the capital?"
asked the boy. "There!' In the direction pointed out by the ascetic,
flights of lofty mansions could be seen among the thick trees. The young Briani gazed at the scene for some time. Then,looking at the Buddha Bhikshu, he asked, "Is it about a mile from
here?" "It is." "Then, I'm just going to sit back and leave. If
there is a hurry, we can go ahead!" Saying this, the youth left the
bundle and stick in his hand by the side of the path and sat down
looking at the lake. The ascetic also sat next to him looking towards the west.
At the base of the upper sky, the golden Sunday was
spinning like Tirumal's Chakrayut 'Thakataka'. The entire sky above
was checkered by its red beams and looked like a battlefield
where blood had flowed in a terrible war. Small clusters of clouds
seen here and there seemed to be on fire. Towards the setting sun,
the marble-clear waters of Lake Mahendra glowed like molten gold.
But turning a little to the west, and looking towards the northern shore
of that vast lake, a completely different scene was seen. The evening
shadow of the small hillocks guarding the lake on that shore was
spread wide over the lake, so the water of the lake was dark blue.
At some places along the shadowy lake shore there were
patches of eye-catching white. If you look closely, you can see
that white storks stand on one leg and do penance at those places.
Sometimes suddenly a flock of white storks will leave the water bank
and start floating in the sky. Aha! What is the beauty of
the scene? Spread black water below; Dark blue sky above; Dark
green hills behind. Among these, the sight of a flock of flying storks
flying so close as to float in the sky is awe-inspiring to anyone.
Those who meditate on the Lord's pastimes will become oblivious
and ecstatic.

The youth, who was watching all this in silence for some time,
as if talking to himself, said, "Mahendra has built this huge lake.

It is not appropriate to say lake; This should be called Mahendra
Samudram!" He said. The ascetic turned to the lake and said,
"The water in this Mahendra lake has now decreased. If you see
Aipassik Karthigai when it rains and the lake is full, you will be
amazed! Then it will be like the real ocean!" He got up saying.
"Have you left, Swami?" said the boy. "Yes, Paranjodi! It seems
you don't like to come with me!" said the ascetic and started walking.
A young man named Paranjothi also took a bundle and a stick
and followed him.
There was a lot of people coming and going on the road.
Carts loaded with pilgrims and carts loaded with paddy and hay were
moving side by side. Beyond the road lay vast paddy fields with mature
stalks. The crops fell down due to the weight of the rays. Here
and there in some fields the inhabitants were tying the sheaves
of the harvest. The aroma of fresh paddy, fresh hay, and 'gum' was wafting from the fields.
After going a little further, a beautiful village was seen. After crossing the village, instead of the smell of paddy rice, the aroma of jasmine flowers surrounded
me. It seemed that the smell could not only be consumed by the nose but also touched and experienced by the whole body. "Aha!" said the boy. In front of him, as far as the eye could see, the Nanda forests and the jasmine and pearl mullia were blooming and smiling like the stars of the sky had come and shone
on the jasmine mulberry bushes.
A forest of golden amethyst flowers was also seen in between
this white flower bed. "What will they do with all that flower?" asked the boy. "Half of these will be dedicated to the temple deities. The other half will adorn the hair of the goddesses of the city of Kanji...there!" The ascetic stopped suddenly. Suddenly a snake crawled across the road and
disappeared into the forest. “Where are the snakes waiting for this jasmine scent!”said the ascetic.
When the snake disappeared they both went upstairs and there was silence for a while. Paranjodi laughed. "What are you
laughing at?" said the ascetic. Paranjoti remained speechless
for a while and said, "No, Ati! You saved me by killing that snake in the middle of the day? Are you a Buddha Bhikshu? I laughed at the thought of committing suicide!" Didn't come? Come to kill me?" said Paranjodi in a mocking voice. "Shouldn't I save
my disciple?" said Bhikshu. "Disciple? Who did you mean?"
"Yes, you saved my life once, and in return..." "Did I save their lives! When?" "Three hundred years ago..." "What!" "In a
previous birth." "Oh! I have heard without knowing that you
are a sage who has realized three times; Apologies."

The ascetic walked in silence. Paranjodi said again,
'Swami! Don't they know what is coming in their wisdom?" He asked. From
now on,
"Shall I tell you something that is coming?" "Tell me." "A great war for this country.

Coming!" "A great war?" "Yes; The most terrible war is going to flow like a
river of blood. Lake Mahendra is going to become a lake of blood.”
“Oh! It's scary! Enough blows!”
Paranjoti hesitated again and said, "What is the equality of the country for me,
Swami? Tell me if you know anything about me!" He said. "You're going to have a
hard time tonight." "Shiva Shiva! Shouldn't you say something for good
measure?" "By the grace of Buddha, that difficulty will be removed." "I am a Saiva!
Will the Buddha bless me?" "The Buddha's mercy is infinite." "Who's coming?"
asked Paranjothi.
In the dim evening light, a strange figure
could be seen coming towards them. "Don't
you see it? Digambara Jain sage is coming!'
said the Buddha Bhikshu. "Are the Jain sages still
here?" asked Paranjoti.
The Jain sage came near. He is not as exalted as the Buddha
Bhikshu. He was tall and short. He was clothed in a kaupeenam,
and in one hand he held a kamandalam tied with a stick. Peacock
fan in other hand; A little boy curled up in his neck. When
he came near, the Buddha Bhiksha said, "Buddha Saranam
Kachami!" The Jain sage said, "Praise the sheet!" What is my
business in this Rudra Bhoomi? Don't you know that the throat
region is burning? I am going to the country of Pandya."
"Anything special for today?" When the Buddha Bhikshu
heard that, the sage rushed up saying,
"There is, there
is
something special; Jains are going to close the gates of the fort!"
Before they could cross the line, Emperor Mahendra came walking.
Now..." said Buddha Bhiksha and stopped. "Now what?" asked
Paranjodi. "Now the singing of Saiva Vaishnavas is
celebrated in this country." "Whoa!" said Paranjodi. Then, "The Jain
sage said something about the door of the fort closing, what is it?"
He asked. "Look there!" said the ascetic. At that point in the road
they took a sharp turn. Opposite was the southern fort gate of Kanchi
city, the huge gates of the fort gate were closed.