124 The kings created these rules for the nairs, so that they would not have anything to impede them from belonging to his service. They are not known as nairs until such time as they are ready to fight, even though they are free to do exactly as they choose. They do not receive a stipend from the king until they are knighted, especially in the kingdom of Cannanore, where they are usually knighted by the king himself. The young man who wishes to be made a knight of the realm invites all his relatives, and those who are already knights, to come and pay tribute to him. Thus, a large number of them gather and carry him with great pomp and circumstance to the palace, once they have got the king’s blessing to do so. When they reach the palace, the king invites him and his entire entourage in; they then place three small coins called fanões on a leaf in front of him. As I have already said, they are worth twenty two reais each. The king asks him if he wishes to observe the laws and traditions of the other nairs, and he and his relatives say yes, and then he orders that a sword in a red scabbard be girded on his right side; after girding the sword he has the nair approach him and he puts his right hand on his head and utters some words that nobody else can hear, as if it were a prayer, then embraces him saying paje gubramava, which means that you will protect the cows and the Brahmins. After this ceremony is over, a clerk asks him in front of the king and in a loud voice, so that everyone can hear, what his name and lineage are, and everyone replies even though they are well-known by all. The clerk writes them down on the payroll and henceforth he will receive his salary, and his relatives take him with great pomp and circumstance to the house of the Panikkar who taught him, who upon seeing the new nair throws himself at his feet and worships him and pays great tribute to him. Then they take him home where they hold a celebration in accordance with their means, he is thus free to serve the king, go to war and challenge anyone he wants to.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy