# 22 (B) THE ARCHER AND THE ELEPHANT
The elephant which was tall and dark resembling a huge mountain walked majestically towards Madhuraapuri.The army of the Chola King and the group of Jain followed it closely-not wishing to miss the fun!
Vikrama Paandiyan saw the approaching elephant and the army. He knew that only Siva could save him and his capital city from this killer elephant.He heard an asareeri – the voice of god instructing him thus:
“Do not be afraid Paandiya! I will appear as an archer and kill the devilish elephant myself. Put up a strong and tall mandapam in the eastern side of Madhuraapuri”
The King constructed strong and tall mandapam with sixteen pillars.
There appeared a young archer! His dark hair was tied up and decorated with peacock feathers! He worse a red sash and had a long sword at his waist. He had a powerful bow and and many arrows.
He was so handsome that anyone would wonder whether he was a dark skinned Manmatha! He waited on the mandapam till the elephant came close enough to be shot by an arrow.
He then set his Narasimha Asthra on his bow and released it with a great force. The arrow roared like a lion. It made a thunderous noise. It sped like a spear. It tore open the forehead of the mighty killer elephant.
The killer elephant got killed. It collapsed in a pool of blood and died. The king held the feet of the divine archer with gratitude. He then set his army to fight the Chola army and drove them back to their country.
In due course the king was blessed with a worthy son. He had all the markings of a good king. The prince was named as Rajasekaran and everything he needed to learn to become noble king, was taught to him by his loving father Vikrama Paandian.



