When Pavadapa Nayu heard this news, there was with him a man named Rāmāji, the (vakīl) minister of the Kadapa Nabob. By this man's hand he sent (Kānuka) a peace offering to [those chieftains.] They questioned Rāmāji regarding the news of the place, and he replied, "This Pavadapa Nayu is a mere [Kaif dār] drunkard, and here is no proper management. If you propose visiting his honour I will go and tell Pavadapa Nayu[1] and will call you into [the fort.] After you enter and have had an interview [you must say] "The tribute due by your house is now three or four years in arrear, and accordingly our Master has commanded saying:—
7. "If you pay the money, well: or else you may come along with us." If you express yourselves thus, and seat his honour;[2] from that time the place will be in your power." Such were the treacherous counsels he gave: then he took leave of them, and returned into the fort. There he spoke to Pavadapa Nayu[3] saying "The commanders of the force are eager to visit you, and have sent messengers from them [to you,] along with me. They are respectable men: you should invite them in, and compliment them with robes of honour and the tambūlam [or paun leaf,] give them an audience, and dismiss them. This will be very profitable to our future business."
The [laird] assented, and said If they come in with a few [followers][4] we will admit them. [Then Ramaji said to the messengers,] Go and bring them in. Thus he spoke to the vakeels and sent them away. They went and invited the (faujdars) commandants, and placed them in the (meda) upper chamber. Then they gave notice of this to Pavadapa Nayudu.
8. [Pavadapa Nayu] came to receive them in the marble[5] hall, and having called them out of the (meda) upper chamber, they had an interview in the (padasala) inner hall. They asked of each others health,[6]
- ↑ Variki is the respectful phrase: literally To them: meaning To his honour.
- ↑ In demanding money they sometimes make the debtor sit down and forbid his arising until the demand is satisfied.
- ↑ Variki, to them: that is to his honour, to him.
- ↑ Lit: if they come moderately, we will in like manner give an interview.
- ↑ Lit. The plaister hall or court.
- ↑ Lit: of their health and wealth.
