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In classical Tamil, Senkonmai means Righteous Sceptre. In latter centuries it became senmai, or when shortened even further-sen. Kol is the wooden rod used by a shepherd to guide and protect his flock. Combine the two words, and senkol (a word in popular use) becomes the staff (sceptre) a king wields. It is the physical manifestation of austerity, purity, mercy, and truthfulness-the dharmic tenets that guided the rulers of ancient Tamilakam. The sceptre was not a symbol of lordship and power, as was commonly associated with the royal mace in other ancient cultures such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, and even later-day monarchies. In ancient Tamilakam, kings were known as kovalan and kavalan, both terms used interchangeably. Kovalan is the wielder of the senkol. Kavalan is the servant-guardian. A kovalan, by his example, serves and guards and guides the state. If he fails in this duty, he must make good, or if unable to rectify the error, he must pay a penalty. The price could be restitution, such as money to put matters right or some other favour that restores or compensates the damage or loss to the affected constituent, be it a person or an institution. In extreme cases, he must be prepared to forfeit his life. Honour, duty, and accountability demanded this of him. The senkol in the hands of the kovalan constantly reminded him he, as the wielder of the kol, was a mere kavalan, servant-guardian of the state. These obligations on the king were disseminated to the people by temple inscriptions, palm-leaf books, guru-sishyan (teacher-student) discourses, and history enacted through the medium of story-telling (oral tradition), visual arts (portraiture and sculpture), and performance arts (dance and drama). An early example of the kavalan's duty, responsibility, and accountability was expounded in Silapathikaram, the classic Tamil epic composed by Elango-Adigal (the venerable ascetic prince). He was a prince-turned