Spgm 074 - The Story Of Burning Town Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

(The God of Fire Kannagi invoked.
Madurai started burning in the fire.
Four direction Gods and other demigods
left the town. Here is an account of this.)

THE FIRE OPENED

At Kannagi's call the Fire God came
The city was engulfed by flame.
The Frontier God sat inside
Closing the temple door outside.

THE GODS OF CHARITY

The King Nedunchezian was famous,
But his single action became notorious,
Due to a judgment that was erroneous,
Which caused death of a man pious.

By his death the king restored the pride,
Of his justice that spread far and wide.
Besides this, the queen also died,
That enhanced their individual pride.

ALL WERE SHAKEN

Pundits, astrologers, priests,
Taxmen, Mantra leaf writers,
Palace servants, errand girls,
They were speechless like portraits.

Trumpeters, charioteers, Horsemen,
Swordsmen, under a total confusion,
When the palace fire rose up they ran
For their safety in the space open.

THE LEADER OF THE DEMIGODS

Fresh pearl garland he wore
With his fiery three eyes like fire
He followed his prescribed pathway,
Who, the demigods' leader, also left away.

THE GOVERNORS' DEMIGOD

He had the body of coral
He's the world ruler over all
A leader, the most successful,
He also went away once for all.

THE TRADERS'DEMIGOD

A golden body he had.
He was the ruling demigod
For farmers and traders.
This god left the city under fire.

THE ARTISTS'DEMIGOD

His had an able body
Which had the quality
Fit for music and dance.
He too left that fire place.

ALL THE DEMIGODS DISAPPEARED

All the demigods disappeared,
When the burning fire appeared.
Since the king lost his face,
Due to miscarriage of justice.