Prompt given by eminent poet Satbir Chada madam on day 8 of the National Poetry Writing Month 2025 conducted online by The Significant League on Facebook was “History in verses”
Poem by Sherin Mary Zacharia
The throne that awaited him
did not seem to be cozy
His kin had sought the forces
of the barons powerful
Them, the *’ettuveettil pillamar’
to finish him off.
Their brutal plan to wield the scepter
of glorious *Travancore.
Young *MarthandaVarma fled
from place to place
Disguised, he traveled alone
seeking refuge.
Enemies followed close behind,
throwing him
Into depths of despair, fearing
a cruel death.
He crossed the river at
*Neyyattinkara
Hid himself amidst the tall grass
plenty, on the banks
Sure to be spotted by his foes
approaching quickly.
A young lad, gentle,
grazing his cows
Eyes mystical, his smile
enchanting
Lead the prince to a huge
Jackfruit tree near;
Room enough in its enormous
cavity, to hide.
MarthandaVarma escaped,
unnoticed by enemies
The boy was nowhere to be seen
nor were his cows.
The king realized that
Lord Krishna had
Appeared before him
and had saved his life.
Grateful, he constructed a
temple there.
*’Unnikrishnan the deity there
to honour the boy.
The jackfruit tree venerated, as
the *ammachiplavu.
The tree had protected the king
in his adversity
Like a mother’s caring bosom,
a safe womb for an unborn.
Centuries past, the tree’s hollow trunk
is preserved, sacred.
A story in history, to affirm
trees save man.
*Marthandavarma = ruler of Travancore 1702to1758
*Ettuveettil pillamar = 8 powerful chieftains
*Travancore = princely state comprising southern Kerala
*Neyyattinkara = a place in Thiruvananthapuram (capital of Kerala)
*Unnikrishnan = young Krishnan
*ammachiplavu = mother jackfruit tree
