Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/98

Rh shortly afterwards at a place called Kula-murram. One of the poets present at his death expressed his feelings as follows:-

“The messenger of death, who took the life of Valavan, lord of the strong chariots and conquering legions, would not have escaped the King’s wrath, if he had come like one commanding or ready to seize the King. No, he should have come begging for the life of the King with raised hands like a bard singing his praises.”

Killi-Valavan was succeeded by another Killi who was known as Rajasuyam-Vedda-Peru-Nar-Killi. He performed a magnificent sacrifice and invited to the grand ceremony the neighbouring Kings, Ugrap-peru-Valuthi and the Chera King Ma-Ven-Ko or the Fair Prince. The poetess Avvaiyâr who was present at the ceremony addressed as follows the three Kings who were seated together :-

“Ye Monarchs! lords of the bannered chariots and white umbrellas, may you ever, as you have done to-day, shower into the outstretched hands of Brahmins golden flowers with water: drink of the sweet liquor which your servant maids glittering with jewels hand to you in golden cups, and bestow costly gifts on the poets who sing your praises. Only the good deeds that you do now will help you when you depart this life. You three seated together in royal state are now like the three sacred fires which the twice-born preserve day and night, with ceaseless vigilance. May you be blessed with health! May you live for many many days as countless as the stars in the sky and the rain-drops in heavy showers !”