History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c17.5

c17.5

And while they were living there together, a king, Vallabha, came to make war against Narasiha. And the king Narasiha reflected within himself in this wise: ‘This man (Māṇavamma) has served me diligently by day and night, so that with my help he might obtain the kingdom which is his birthright. Wherefore if he should now follow me to the place of battle and lose his life in the field, his purpose, and my desire also to help him, would be of no avail.’ Therefore the king left Māṇavamma in the city, and went alone to the place of battle, and began to prepare for war against Vallabha. And (after his departure) Māṇavamma thought to himself: ‘It would advantage me no wise to survive the king if he should be slain in battle (as I would then be left without a friend and with none to help me). If such an event should happen, my friendship should have been formed in vain. For what purpose, besides, has the king treated me as an equal (unless he expected that I might be of service to him in difficulties)? Wherefore it is meet that I should follow the king to the place of battle, and join him in the field, and share either of defeat or victory, of life or of death, with my friend the king.’ And for this end he raised a large army, and having equipped it fully, he mounted on a noble elephant and set out for the place of battle, and showed himself before Narasiha. And king Narasiha was greatly delighted at the sight, and exclaimed with great emotion, ‘Surely, now know I the trust I had placed on him has been rightly placed,’