Durgastamana

1

Honnavva was sitting on the floor, the wooden mortar-pestle in front of her, gently removing the tender strands from the betel leaves, her eyes continuously observing the Queen Mother, Obavva who was resting on her bed made of intricately carved sandalwood.

‘Mother, oh, how quickly has her health changed’

She stopped peeling the strands from the tender betel leaves & started counting on her fingertips

That day -

It appeared as if the sun set prematurely in the middle of a hot day when Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka, so weakened that he could hardly utter his last words. ‘Amma’, closed his eyes & breathed his last...that very day -

‘How many days has it been?’

How many days since the Vaidyas stood by the Nayaka’s bedside and examined his pulse -

‘Queen Mother, the Nayaka is no longer in our midst’

And said these very words -

Hearing this, the Queen Mother wailed ‘my son....’, she cried & screeched in grief till her voice reached every nook & corner of the palace, finally falling on her son’s dead body, that very day -

That day, the entire palace became a wailing chamber. How many people shed tears openly, how many people who could not express their grief by shedding tears openly, how many people who just collapsed in grief, hundreds, thousands, who knows...who was in the frame of mind to keep a count?

The drums began to sound signalling grief in the royal family, trumpets began to be sounded at different places informing people.

Hearing this, the people of the Fort gathered in silence in the open grounds of the palace as though they were all entranced by the occasion & started to wail ‘O Nayaka, why have you forsaken us’...that was the day -

At the end of this gathering were the tribal hunters - the elite squad who were renowned for taking two coins for every beheading that they did, renowned for bathing in their enemies’ blood emitting fierce war-cries - even these warriors were wailing -

‘Amma - we are undone’

- that was the day when even these virile warriors cried openly, thumping their chests in grief -

That day the women of the fort wiped out the auspicious rangolis they had made in morning & pulled down the auspicious torana of mango leaves in anger & grief...all the time, cursing God himself for bringing this situation upon the Fort, that was the day -

That day when the bustling Fort was transformed into such silence that even a pin-drop could be heard -

That day when the entire palace was plunged into darkness, when the pall-bearers of the Nayaka’s corpse were taking him to the Royal cemetery wailing, grieving, crying all along the way -

‘How many days have passed since then?’

That day -

It was the second or third day after the full moon - the Royal astrologer pronounced after seeing the almanacs that the Nayak died on the same tithi of the year that he was born -

‘The day, stars are all showing good signs, no harm will befall anyone’

- won hearing these words of the astrologer -

‘Let your mouth be burnt in fire & rot in hell’

- Honnavva started counting using her finger tips ‘Likely twelve or thirteen days’ That day - Thursday, ‘Thursday to Thursday, eight days - then another five - yes, thirteen days’ Not months, not years, just thirteen days. ‘The Queen Mother has gone for the worse in these thirteen days’ For three days after Nayaka’s demise, she had partaken neither a drop of water nor a morsel of grain. The day her son died, she just took the ritual bath & slept in her bed covering her entire face & body. She did not ask anything from any of her servants. If anyone asked her for advice on how a particular ritual was to be conducted, she merely replied ‘are there no elders in the palace? Go & ask them’ and went back into her melancholic trance-like state. She remained in that state for three days - On the fourth day, she got up all by herself - ‘My son is indeed a fortunate man. Well before he could get into a situation where grieving wives join him on the funeral pyre, he left this world’ - thus saying this, she tried to console herself - ‘Give me a glass of water to drink’ - saying this, she came alive from her dead-like state of past three days When the Queen Mother said this, Honnavva let out a sigh of relief ‘Thank God - finally the grieving lady has pulled herself back’ -

saying this, she obeyed all commands of the Queen Mother feeling as though along with the Queen Mother, she had a rebirth experience. When the Queen Mother spoke a few words with the people who came to see her - ‘By grace of God, the Queen Mother is back to her original self’

- thus did Honnavva console herself

Queen Obavva was eating properly, drinking water timely, was even speaking to all people who came to see her - despite all these good recovery signs, unlike what Honnavva was thinking, the Queen Mother had not really come back to her original self. Then - Prior to the demise, thirteen days back - Queen Obavva was truly a regal Queen Mother Now - Queen Obavva was the Queen Mother - but like a bird trapped in a cage How old is she? Same age as mine. Maybe a couple of years elder to me. When she was married to the Madakari Nayaka Senior, I was sent along with Queen Obavva to her husband’s house to be her personal maid. At that time, I had told my father ‘I will not leave my house & go’...then my father scolded me saying ‘you are a ten year old grown up girl now. Ideally, you should have got married by now & left house. In these circumstances you are getting an opportunity to go into the Queen’s palace & yet, you are shamelessly being stubborn’ and sent me from Anegundi along with the Queen. Honnavva was ten years old at that time. How many years have passed by since then? Who has kept a count? At the time of Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka’s ascension to the throne, someone had said that Queen Obavva was

probably sixty or seventy years old. That means ‘I am also the same age’, thus thought Honnavva. Occasionally Honnavva used to wonder whether it was really that many years ago that she left her parents’ home and came here with the Queen Mother.

If Queen Obavva was seventy when Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka was coronated, then now - ‘he ruled only for six years’ she had heard, so the Queen Mother maybe seventy six now, thought Honnavva to herself.

She was truly that old - Queen Mother Obavva.

In all these years, the Queen Mother had seen happiness & difficult times, both. She had enjoyed the royal position of being the coronated Queen as well. On the royal Howrah above the royal elephant, in a silver palanquin, on an ivory throne - thus had she ruled over this kingdom as its Queen. Her husband, the King who had given her all happiness in life as his consort had met his end in the Battle of Mayakonda. Then, the Queen had cried for ten whole days. She had wiped off the vermillion from her forehead...finally she recovered on the occasion when her son was coronated as the King.

Then, she had not seemed as defeated as now.

Then, she had taken an oath that till her son defeats the Harapanahalli Nayaka, the person who had killed her husband, she would not touch a drop of milk. She had then earned the respect of people who said ‘she has truly lived up to n name Obavva given to her by her father, Raya of Anegundi’. She had defied her age then & had avenged the death of her husband.

Such was the Queen Mother -

Such a drastic change in her personality now.

And now -

Within thirteen days of her son’s death, she suddenly seems much older than her age & not able to bear the weight of her sorrow. She now asks for the silver handled walking stick to support herself, the same one that she had been steadfastly refusing all these years. When sitting down, she looks around for something to support her back - in complete contrast to when she was regally walking straight backed. She asks for water even when she is not perceivable tired; but when given, forgets to drink it & starts talking on some other topic. No tears, no cries, no sighs - Such is her sorrow! Her sorrow is slowly killing her like a pack of termites kill a strong tree by making their house inside it. Such is her strange sorrow! She cannot express it openly - Neither can I bear to see it with my eyes - Everyday while praying to Devi Uchchangamma, I beseech her ‘How can the queen Mother bear so much sorrow? Why are you so cold-hearted? Why have you given such sorrow to this Lady?’ - saying so, she kept looking at the Queen Mother, with tears in her eyes. as she kept looking, she could no longer control herself & started wailing loudly. Hearing this, the Queen Mother looked towards Honnavva. She thought of consoling Honnavva with a few words of sympathy; but what could she tell?? Will words be of any use? If sympathy is shown, it is very likely that the sorrow will increase & get bottled up inside. Rather it is better to let all the anguish come out as tears, thought the Queen. Mother out of experience. After staying quiet for all this while, she said -

‘Honnavva, whatever had to happen, happened. What was not supposed to happen also happened. What is the use of us crying now? Will it make any difference?’-

‘My sorrow is nothing compared to what you are experiencing at this age…’

Honnavva started to say something. The Queen Mother silenced her and —

“What has age got to do with the extent of sorrow one feels, Honnavva? Sorrow doesn’t search out for young people only. Still, I feel a woman should not live this long. Those who bless women to live a hundred years are fools. They don’t realise the sorrows that befall people at this age - especially women - if they really knew, they would never have wished such. They would’ve wished for the woman to meet her Creator while she was still fit & strong. Anyway, what is the use of thinking all this now…

- thus, she let out a big sigh -

‘So much work to be done still. Narsappayaji had said that he would drop by at this time. Go & check. if he has come already’ - she said.

‘OK, Mother....I will go & check. Tamboola…’

Don’t need it now. Let things happen as they are supposed to.’

- Said Queen Obavva

As instructed by the Queen Mother, Honnavva went out to check if Prime Minister Narsappayaji had arrived.

2.

Outside – It was the month of Ashadha. The sky was filled with clouds that seemed lifeless…these were the same clouds that had been transported by the South-Westerly winds, precipitated heavily in the Malnad region and then travelled inland – after having lost their potency…these were the clouds that were listlessly floating in the sky over the Durga. There was a strong wind blowing – so strong that as it blew within the nooks & corners of the mountain, it seemed to shake the mountain & the Durga on top on it by their foundations. The rocks & boulders on the mountain, which were burning hot in the Chaitra-Vaishakha sun were now emitting a chill from within them in Ashadha.

The chill was so much in the air that at this twilight hour, all the temples, towers, palaces, prayer halls, victory pillars & community halls – not only them, even the large trees, though green outwardly – had shed all their lustre & were looking lifeless, emitting the bone-shaking chill. The fortwalls, battery towers & canopies were seeming as though they had just been bathed in ashes – so listless & dull. The grass growing at various places also seemed as though they were blades of chill. The royal houses, offices, temples & streets, which otherwise at this time of the day would be bustling with people were looking barren – with just a lone person hurriedly shuffling along from time to time, his entire body covered with a shawl to keep him warm – such was the desolate look & feel to the Durga.

Sitting in his palanquin, looking at the cold, desolate & barren Durga - Kalli Narasappayya, Prime Minister of the Durga had the same listless look in his eyes as he looked around him; so was the heaviness in his heart as the bearers ran along carrying his palanquin along the

streets of the Durga. Out of habit, they ran along shouting ‘Dho! Udho!’ – ‘Prime Minister’s palanquin is being carried – get out of the way’ – although they did not really have to do that as there was no one in the streets. Thus did Kalli Narasappayya’s palanquin move towards the Royal Palace.

Hearing the bearers’ voices from afar, the Royal Palace guards who were crouched together in the guardhouse seeking warmth suddenly got up & became alert. They rushed outside bearing their standard weapons & stood at attention. Narasappayya barely acknowledged their salutations by raising his hand out of habit & rushed towards the Royal Palace without even looking at them.

Narasappayya, with a heavy load upon his mind & heart, body bent, rapidly walking reached the front door of the Palace. The Chief Royal Guard (Darbar Buxi) met him there, bowed in salutation & without speaking led him inside.

Even though the Palace was well known to him for several years now, with alert eyes, Narasappayya looked all around as he entered –

‘Six Commanders (Dalwais) from the provinces, Shetty from the market – have all arrived & are waiting for you. The JagadGuru has sent a message asking for you & that he would arrive as soon as you reach here. Your palanquin passed by the Math, so they would have seen you arriving…He should be arriving any moment now’ -said the Darbar Buxi

‘How is the Queen Mother?’ asked Narasappayya

‘She has recovered in the last couple days. Her private attendant, Honnavva just dropped by to check who all have arrived. She asked me to inform her as soon as you & the JagadGuru arrive.’

‘I hope the Queen Mother will attend today’s meeting’

‘Honnavva said that she would attend’

Hearing these words, Narasappayya felt as though a heavy weight was removed from his chest & he let out a big sigh of relief –

‘The Queen Mother having recuperated well has infused vitality within the Durga…tell her about my arrival. Ask her not to take her time & not hurry. She should take her time; we have no issues to wait for her. Her well being is key to the Durga. Now, from the Royal Family, only the Queen Mother is left to guide us all’

-thus saying, Narasappayya entered the Royal Meeting Hall inside the Palace.

Entering the Hall, he looked around - at each pillar, there was a guardsman, standing alert with a naked sword in his hand ready. Their hawk-like eyes were scanning the hall ready to spot anything that seemed out of ordinary – limbs strong; yet supple & ready to get into action with their sword should the need arise.

‘The Dalwais have made water-tight arrangements’

-Narasappayya thought to himself as he entered the Hall. Following the flag bearer, he moved inside the Hall towards his designated seat.

As soon as Prime Minister Narasappayya entered the Hall, all the people gathered there got up from their seats & paid their respects & salutations. Sitting on his seat, Narasappayya looked around making a note of all the people who had already arrived.

Dalwai Bharamanna Nayaka, Dalwai Madakari Nayaka, Dalwai Ningappa Nayaka, Head of Intelligence Kenchappa Nayaka,

Head of Internal Security Kashanna Nayaka, Head of Treasury Ajjappa, Head of Investigation Dalwai Huchappa Nayaka, Head of Border Security Dalwai Kata Nayaka, Town Shetty Channa Mallappa – everyone invited had come. Only a few seats were unoccupied. These were the ones designated for members of the Royal Family. That day’s meeting had been called for discussions on the modalities to finalise the name for the next King - the next Paleyagar - the next Nayaka – considering that the late King had expired without an heir to the throne. Narasappaya had deliberately left out the siblings & other relatives of the late Paleyagar from this critical meeting that day. He wanted to avoid any & all internal differences to come to the fore as the discussion on ‘who would occupy the Nayaka’s throne next’ gets animated. No member of the Royal Family should lose his face as words get spoken in the heat of the moment. Everyone who has assembled there should be allowed to speak his mind openly without fear or favor of any person from the Royal Family – even if there were wide differences of opinion among the Nobles, the final decision should be unanimously accepted. No one from the Royal Family should feel that his opinion was not considered; he was neglected or even worse, insulted – these were the thoughts in Narasappayya’s mind as he had prepared for today’s meeting & carefully prepared a list of invitees – all of them were fiercely patriotic with not even an iota of doubt about their loyalty. Everyone invited had come & were assembled in the Royal Meeting Hall – waiting for the JagadGuru & the Queen Mother to arrive. Not a single invited person had excused himself from this meeting. Observing this, Narasappayya let out a sigh of relief feeling very hopeful that the meeting would result in a decision that would bode well for Chitradurga.

Just as he sat in his seat, the guards announced the arrival of the Royal Guru, Sri Muruga Rajendra Swami. At once, everyone stood up in deference to the Royal Guru, awaiting his arrival.

Just as they all stood up deferentially, Sri Gurupad Desikendra Swami, who was also the current pontiff of Sri Madalla Prabhu cult as well as the Royal Guru of the Chinmooladri Royal Family entered the Royal Assembly Hall – his demeanour displaying a unique blend of strength & serenity derived from his Yogic powers & displayed all the personality of a powerful King; albeit clad in the saffron robes & wooden Padukas of a mendicant. He then moved towards his designated silver throne with firm; yet calm steps…sat on the deer-skin laid on the throne by his disciples & removed his wooden Padukas. The entire gathering paid their obescience to the holy Padukas & received blessings from the Royal Guru. He then looked at the still empty throne of the Queen Mother & enquired in a soft tone ‘Hasn’t the Queen Mother arrived yet?’

The Hall was specifically designed for such secret meetings with no scope for anyone to hide themselves anywhere inside to spy on the ongoings happening here. The Hall had no pillars, no windows, no openings; not even a small crevice. It has just two doors for entry & egress – one for people outside & another for people from the palace.

On both sides of the Hall, there were simple & functional seats for the invited people – in the middle, there was the Royal Simhasan of the coronated Nayaka; the Paleyagar…this was on a raised platform & was not only larger than the other seats; but also finely decorated with soft & embroidered velvet with the Royal Emblem behind the throne. Next to this Royal Throne was the silver throne of the Royal Guru. On the other side of it was another designated throne – that of the Queen Mother. This was specifically designed with a low height & a very soft

mattress to sit on so that it would be very comfortable for someone as aged as the Queen Mother; allowing her to flex her limbs while seated. This throne made of ivory & inlaid with gems & other precious stones was commissioned by Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka upon his coronation, to allow his mother to attend such secret meetings.

Today –

All eyes including that of the Royal Guru were on this very throne.

Taking the cue from Guru’s enquiry the Darbar Buxi hurried towards the inner chambers to escort the Queen Mother to the meeting Hall.

3.

“Mother, all the invited people have come to the Durbar and are waiting for you”

-“I will leave for the Durbar in my current attire itself” said the Queen disinterestedly. Hearing this, Honnavva advised the Queen Mother to not do so “You are the Royal Queen Mother. It will not befit your position to go like this even if you do not have your heart in dressing up appropriately.” Bending to Honnavva’s wishes, she allowed herself to get dressed in the auspicious yellow Pitambar, got her tresses combed & tidied. She then addressed Honnavva-

“The elders of the state should not be made to wait. Bring my walking stick”

-thus saying, she slowly got up using the bedstead as a support.

Honnavva gave the Queen Mother her usual ivory walking stick which was embellished with a golden handle in the form of a turtle

“Avva, it is quite chilly outside. Let me give you a woollen shawl. Pl drape it and then go”

-thus saying, Honnavva hurriedly went inside and got a shawl from the Queen’s wardrobe and draped it over her shoulders

The Queen Mother saw the shawl that Honnavva had got for her

That shawl

Made of the finest wool in a bright red colour, it was embroidered with gold & silver fine thread and had the finest rubies and pearls stitched all along its border-

As she kept gazing at the shawl, her mind went back in time with the memories of her late husband.

That day, the senior pontiff of Shree Shardapeetha of Kurali-Sringeri had blessed the Senior Madakarinayaka with the holy Shivpanchakshari Mantra and the auspicious Sphatika Chandramouleshwara Lingam along with this shawl as a symbol of his benevolence – the Nayaka had then come to the Queen’s bedchambers that night & had draped this around her shoulders and-

“The pontiff has bestowed his permanent protection upon me in the form of this auspicious shawl. Let his benevolence be your protective shield”

-saying this, he had stood there happily looking at his shawl-adorned Queen with dreamy eyes.

Ever since the demise of her beloved King, the Queen had used this shawl only very sparingly. She had despatched the shawl in the deepest corner of her wardrobe…and had worn it only occasionally just to humour her son’s wishes. Now – neither her husband nor her son was alive anymore. Just the shawl remained. “Why should I even wear it anymore? For whose happiness?” – thus she felt

Her eyes became moist- "Don't you have any other shawl, Honnavva?" -she asked "Avva, this is not a mere shawl – it is our Guru's blessings; should it wither away in your wardrobe? In these difficult times, isn't it very apt that you should wear this shawl? I pray that through this shawl you will have our Guru's blessings guiding you in today's discussions" -said Honnavva "You speak the truth, Honnavva, today, I need to be guided by the Guru who gave this shawl & by my King who draped it on me" -thus saying, the Queen Mother got up, wore the heavy weighted shawl, took the walking stick in one hand, placed her other hand on Honnavva's shoulder and walked towards the King's portrait to pay her respects before going to the Durbar. An artist from Mysore kingdom had come during the reign of the Senior Madakarinayaka and had painted a portrait on glass. Senior Madakarinayaka was a larger than life personality and he was depicted in this portrait in a red silk dress with exquisite Jari embroidery and a large turban with pearl tassels. His personality was truly large and all encompassing. A wide forehead within a large round facial structure, wide and upturned nose, full cheeks, bushy eyebrows which adorned large and bright eyes, large ears that bore diamond rings, Bhasma and vermilion between the eyebrows, large moustache that covered his entire cheeks, strong shoulders befitting a warrior, wide, muscular chest that could act as a pillow for two women like herself, a cloth draped over his shoulder, two necklaces of large pearls and other gems around his neck, such was his attractive personality that had women go weak at their knees even at this age.

That day, when the artist had brought the portrait and presented it, the Nayaka had wanted it to be placed in the common areas of the palace. Like all others including the Nayaka, the Queen had fallen in love with the beauty of and in the painting. On one hand she hesitated to voice her inner feelings; but on the other hand, fearing that the painting may be displayed in the common areas-

“Let this remain in our chambers”-beseeched she

The Nayaka replied-

“Don’t I reside in those chambers, they why my portrait?”

-he said teasingly-

“This is so that when you are not there – I can pay my respects”-thus had she said

“I can certainly imagine you paying respects to the portrait; but I have never seen you pay respects to me in person – I wish to see how you do it – can you show?”

-he continued to tease her making her blush and turn her cheeks red

“Why are you troubling me this way - don’t you understand my true feelings? If you really feel that I am telling lies, then do go ahead and send the portrait to the common areas of the palace”

-said she in mock anger. Then the Nayaka finally relented and said-

“Tell me, where would you like to place the portrait? Adorned on your head or crushed under your feet?”

-said he laughingly, then he himself carried the portrait, examined all sections of the chamber and once satisfied, hung it on the wall.

Obavva Queen had smiled satisfyingly many a times remembering the above episode.

But today-

The memories only demanded her tears as their value

‘How fickle is the working of fate? The ongoings that once induced happiness in our mind, at another time, the same ongoing is the cause of deep sorrow – not just any particular one, all memories cause sorrow – if one lives long’

-felt the Queen.

‘If one could wipe the writings in the recesses of one’s heart the same way as one can wipe the writings on a slate, it would have been so peaceful; Brahma gave mankind innumerable powers except this one important one’

-with these thoughts in her mind, Obavva bowed before the Nayaka’s portrait, touched her forehead, took the Bhasma Prasad a placed below the same and placed it between her eyebrows. This had a very soothing and reinforcing effect on her disturbed mind-

“Despite your eternal presence by my side, I procrastinated on account of my fear of the unknown – I wasted the last three days; such a mistake on my part”

-saying this to herself, she took four roses from the heap that was lying before the portrait, put them in a basket and shook it-

“You only decide and tell me who will be the person”

-thus saying she threw the roses in front of the portrait-

“Honnavva, pray to your God, look at the face of our Nayaka, and pick a flower”

-said the Queen Mother

Honnavva was surprised by this unexpected command from the Queen. She could not make out the meaning behind her Queen’s order. However, she prayed to Devi Eknathamma in her mind, picked a rose and handed it to the Queen.

Looking at the flower handed over by Honnavva- ‘You have accepted what was in my mind. Now that we both are on the same page, my next work became easy’ -saying to herself, her mood suddenly uplifted and she walked towards the Durbar with a spring in her step using her walking stick. This time she did not ask Honnavva to support her. Asking her to follow, the Queen began the walk to the Durbar with quick steps. Honnavva followed the Queen Mother unable to comprehend the miracle that she just witnessed in front of her eyes.

4.

As soon as the Queen entered the Durbar, Honnavva following her, everyone barring the Royal Guru stood up & paid their respects to her, bowing at their waists. The Queen accepting it, folded her hands and came towards the seat of the Royal Guru- “Don’t exert yourself. Even if you bow standing, Shiva will accept it” -not heeding Guru’s advice, the Queen gave the stick to Honnavva and bowing, touched her forehead to the Guru Padukas and paid her respects. Taking back her walking stick, the Queen walked towards her Royal throne and sat on it. Knowing the main topic of discussion of that day’s gathering, Honnavva got ready to exit the Durbar; but the Queen stopped her and addressed the gathering- “Honnavva is my trusted person. Let no one have any doubts about her. The words uttered are mine; but I see and observe through her eyes and ears” -said she in a commanding note-

“Now we can go ahead with the proceedings”-said the Queen Honnavva, unable to disobey her Queen, stood behind her holding her walking stick. “Your wish is our command” -the Prime Minister Narasappayya said on behalf of everyone and then commanded the Durbar Buxi- “Close the doors on both sides of the hall. Keep guards with ready, naked swords on watch, you also stand outside. Ensure that not a single word is heard from inside…if anyone hears or utters any word spoken in this gathering, the tongue that spoke it and the ear that heard it both would be dismembered, understand?” Even though these words were spoken in a low voice, they carried with them the menace and sharpness of a pointed sword. The Durbar Buxi, understanding the gravity of the situation, gravely walked out, paying his obesciances to the people gathered there. The twin doors closed behind him. Ensuring that they closed completely, he sat down- ‘Now, we can continue with the discussions’ - said Narasappayya. Everyone knew the purpose of the meeting & the key topic that would be discussed here. Even prior to reaching the meeting hall, everyone had internally grappled with the subject, looked at it from various angles, debated the pros & cons of various options - thinking of what would the best solution to the problem at hand - that of a successor to Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka, who died prematurely without a male child, who would ascend the throne after him. Then they also thought - “in this meeting of senior ministers, would my voice be even heard” - then they also thought - if discussions didn’t lead to an unanimous decision & there was a debate on who should be the

successor, then they would put forth their views - and each of them had their view on who their preferred choice would be. However, everyone was hesitant to be the first one to voice their view. Everyone was waiting for someone else to initiate the discussion. Seeing this, Narasappayya, who had assembled this meeting upon the Queen’s instruction, taking the lead, stood up-

“It is true that I, in my capacity of the Prime Minister of this State, upon the instructions of our Queen, have called for this meeting. Here, people from all sections of the society have gathered - nobles & commoners. However, we all stand united in our loyalty towards this throne. We may have differences of opinion in our views - however, no view would be misconstrued - be assured. Therefore, anyone can initiate the proceedings of this discussion”

-saying this, he opened the meeting.

Everyone knew the key topic that would be discussed in this meeting. Everyone had contemplated deeply on this topic - looking at it from all angles - trying to understand the possible consequences of the choice they would make - for succeeding Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka, who passed away without any direct heir to the Chitradurga throne. Then again, they thought that in such an august gathering, would their voice even be heard. Finally they came to the conclusion that if this discussion veered in the direction where multiple choices were discussed, then they would at least put forth their view. However, no one was willing to take the lead to suggest a name - everyone kept looking at each other thinking that someone would start the discussion with a name. Sensing this hesitancy among the gathered people, Narasappayya, not wanting to waste any more time in protocols, stood up-

“In my official position as the Prime Minister, I have, upon the instructions of the Queen, called for this meeting. True…we have people representing all strata of our society here. People with different views…however, I am convinced that we all are united in one aspect - our loyalty to the throne. So, even if we express differences of opinion, no one will question this fundamental fact - therefore, anyone can start the proceedings” -saying thus, he opened the meeting.

“Irrespective of our individual opinion, the final decision anyways belongs to our Respected Queen. She, trusting us fully, has asked us to speak openly on what is in our mind. I would however rather hear her view & respecting that, implement the same without a second thought to it. Unnecessarily we should not have differences among us come out into the open. Such a scenario is unwarranted” -said Bharamanna Nayaka, trying to end the debate then & there.

“If such a thought was in our mind, we would never have called for this meeting. Even if there is one person sitting in a palanquin, there are four people carrying it. All of them have to move in the same direction without feeling that they are carrying a burden. For that, they need to respect the person inside the palanquin - they need to feel that he is an integral part of their lives. Which is why, the people carrying the palanquin are more important than the person inside it. If you speak your mind openly, it will help us in forming our views & take a decision. Else, the purpose of this whole meeting would get wasted. You are all well-wishers of this palace. This throne is standing strong on the foundation of your trust in it. So, feel free to state your views openly” - said Queen Obavva.

“If our views cause a hurdle for you to express yours…”

-said Banada Ningayya directly, taking advantage of his seniority in hierarchy as well as from the fact that he was a direct blood relation of the royal family.

“Such a travesty will not happen - should not happen. Even if multiple names emerge in the discussion today, everyone assembled here must take an oath in front of the holy feet of our Guru that their loyalty would be irrevocably with the person selected to be our Nayaka. What gets discussed here, remains here only - it is to be forgotten by all. What remains is only the name that is selected to be our Nayaka. This oath has to be taken by all before starting the discussions. We have experienced a disaster in the past - in our history - in similar circumstances - when the difference of opinion between the royal family & the Dalavoys were so large that it led to bloodshed. Such a scenario can never recur again. We have called you trusting your loyalty - to hear your opinions. Earn that trust & opine freely. If your loyalty is unwavering, then it does not matter if there are different thoughts - speak”

-said Prime Minister Narasappayya

-“Can I suggest something…?”

-asked the Dalavoy of Chappechavadi, Huchappa Nayaka

-“speak, that is the very purpose why you have been called”