The Momma Clan

In the heart of the majestic Chola Kingdom, where the great Kaveri River nourished lush fields
and vibrant villages, lay the serene village of Thiruvarur. It was a place of peace, prosperity, and
devout worship to Lord Shiva. However, on a misty dawn, this tranquility was shattered by a
chilling discovery.

The lifeless body of Vimalan, the village head, was found near the sacred grove of the Thyagaraja Temple. The villagers were thrown into panic, their hearts heavy with fear and
suspicion. The news swiftly reached the grand capital of Thanjavur, where it echoed through the
majestic corridors of the Brihadeeswarar Temple and finally reached the ears of the illustrious
King Raja Raja Cholan.

Raja Raja Cholan, known for his wisdom and justice, decided to take charge of the investigation
personally. Accompanied by his son, the capable and astute Rajendra Cholan, the King rode to
Thiruvarur, determined to restore peace and uncover the truth.

Upon arrival, the King and his son were greeted with the sobering sight of the villagers mourning their leader. Vimalan was respected and loved by all, which made his death even more bewildering. The King called for a gathering in the village square, where he addressed the
people with compassion and authority.

“Fear not, my people. Justice will be served. We will find who is responsible for this heinous
act,” Raja Raja Cholan assured them. He then instructed the royal guards to secure the area
and preserve any evidence around the temple grove.

Rajendra Cholan, eager to assist his father, began by examining the body. He noted the
peculiar wounds on Vimalan’s neck and the distinct scent of herbs lingering around. “Father,
these wounds seem to be from a garrote, and this scent… it is familiar,” Rajendra observed.

The King nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, Rajendra. The scent is of the rare Karuvelam herb, used by
our temple priests for rituals. We must speak with the temple priests and the villagers who had
access to these herbs.”

Their first stop was the home of Nambi Aandar Nambi, the chief priest of the Thyagaraja
Temple. Nambi was a man of great learning and integrity, and he appeared genuinely shocked
by the murder. “My King, the Karuvelam herbs are kept in the temple’s inner sanctum, accessible only to the priests and select villagers. Vimalan was a devout man and often assisted us in rituals.”

Raja Raja Cholan pondered this. “Who else had access to these herbs, Nambi?”

The priest listed a few names, among them a young acolyte named Vithuran, and a herbalist
named Madhavan, known for his knowledge of rare plants.

The King and Rajendra first visited Vithuran, who was visibly nervous. “I swear, my King, I had
nothing to do with Vimalan’s death. I respected him greatly,” he stammered. Rajendra, keenly
observing Vithuran, sensed fear but not deceit.

Next, they visited Madhavan’s humble abode on the outskirts of the village. The herbalist welcomed them and appeared calm, almost too calm. “I heard about Vimalan’s death, a tragedy
indeed,” Madhavan said with a serene expression. “But I assure you, I had no ill will towards
him.”

Rajendra noticed something odd in Madhavan’s herb garden – a patch of freshly disturbed soil.
“What did you bury here, Madhavan?” he asked.

The herbalist hesitated, then replied, “Just some old herbs I no longer needed.”

Suspicious, Raja Raja Cholan ordered the guards to dig up the spot. To their astonishment, they
uncovered a small pouch containing strands of a garrote with traces of blood.

Madhavan’s calm facade crumbled. He fell to his knees, pleading for mercy. “I did not mean to
kill him! Vimalan discovered my secret… I was smuggling rare herbs to rival kingdoms for profit.
He threatened to expose me, and in a moment of panic, I silenced him.”

The villagers gasped in disbelief and sorrow. Raja Raja Cholan, his heart heavy, pronounced
judgment. “Madhavan, you have betrayed your people and taken an innocent life. You shall face the consequences of your actions.”

With justice served, peace slowly returned to Thiruvarur. The villagers honored Vimalan’s memory and continued their lives, knowing their King had protected them once more. Raja Raja
Cholan and Rajendra returned to Thanjavur, their bond strengthened by the shared quest for
justice.

And so, the Chola Kingdom remained a beacon of prosperity and righteousness, where even in
the darkest of times, the light of truth prevailed.

-Sridevi S.