History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c17.7

c17.7

And Māṇavamma displayed great valour in the field of battle, beating down the enemy on all sides like unto Narayana in the battle of the gods. And Narasiha was greatly pleased with the valour of Māṇavamma, and embraced him fondly, and exclaimed, ‘Of a truth thou hast been to me the giver of victory!’ And he returned thence to his own city and held a feast in honour of his victory, and rewarded the army of Māṇavamma with all the honours that were due. And in course of time the king thought thus within himself: ‘This my friend has left naught undone to prove his love for me; he is no longer my debtor. My debt to him must I now repay by what it is my duty to do, even though grateful men are hardly found who know the value of services done for them.’ He then assembled his officers together and spake to them in this wise: ‘You yourselves are witnesses of the deeds of valour done by my friend here. And now it is my duty to do for him that which will be a benefit unto him, remembering that to give help unto one who had given help in the past, is the duty of the righteous man.’ And when these words were said, all the ministers replied, ‘Whatsoever your majesty desireth, even that is our desire also.’