tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74779401238945143162024-03-18T00:33:42.808-07:00Ponni's BelovedSumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-26646392148740499882017-05-11T19:32:00.001-07:002017-05-11T19:32:19.245-07:00Chapter 7 – The Monkey without a Tail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zd_dLVo3mrc/WRUekF1SSyI/AAAAAAAAGmU/2VYmtje-tMwD7lgdaVxg8sxByD6qzezzACLcB/s1600/VD_Monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zd_dLVo3mrc/WRUekF1SSyI/AAAAAAAAGmU/2VYmtje-tMwD7lgdaVxg8sxByD6qzezzACLcB/s320/VD_Monkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<i>Manimeghalai</i> stood still in front of the mirror, wondering whether she had indeed seen the face or not.<br />
<br />
<i>Did she really see it or was it a dream? If it was a dream, shouldn’t she be sleeping? </i><br />
<br />
She touched her face to confirm that she was indeed standing in the <i>Pazhuvur </i>Queen’s chambers in front of her mirror. She turned around and saw that she couldn’t have imagined the face in the dark as the lamp near the mirror was lit rather brightly. She stared hard at the opposite wall. She knew that there was a secret entrance there and she also knew how to open from outside. Through the secret entrance, one could enter the hunter's chamber where they had preserved wild animals that were hunted by the menfolk of their clan. She thought she also heard some sound from the secret inner chamber.<br />
<br />
<i>Manimeghalai</i> went near the wall and opened the secret entrance. There was a small lamp burning low in the hunter’s chamber and suddenly it appeared as though someone had moved in front of the light. When she saw again she could see the lamp and nothing else.<br />
<br />
<i>Manimeghalai</i> shook her head and blinked her eyes again.<br />
<br />
<i>Did she just hallucinate again? Was she still dreaming?</i><br />
<br />
<i>Manimeghalai</i> clapped her hand and asked, ‘Who is there?’ In response, she heard the flapping sound of a bat that moved from one end of the chamber to hang upside down near the never-blinking owl that was perched on the roof. <i>Manimghalai</i> also heard a coughing sound that sounded very suspicious.<br />
<br />
Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, <i>Manimeghalai </i>stood at the entrance and called out for her companion.<br />
<br />
“<i>Chandramathi</i>! <i>Chandramathi</i>!”<br />
<br />
“You called me Princess?”<br />
<br />
“Bring a lamp and come here soon.”<br />
<br />
After a while, her handmaiden came there holding a lamp in hand. After stepping inside the hunter’s chamber, she said, “But Princess there is a lamp lit here already. Why do you need another lamp?”<br />
<br />
“I wish to inspect this place. I thought I heard a sound.”<br />
<br />
“It must be the bat flapping its wings. What else could it be?”<br />
<br />
“No. Just now I was looking at the mirror and I thought I saw somebody else’s face in it.”<br />
<br />
“A face? How did it look? Was it as handsome as <i>Arjuna</i> or <i>Manmadhan</i>?” asked her companion and laughed.<br />
<br />
t“<i>Chandramathi</i>! Are you mocking me?”<br />
<br />
“No Princess! You told me that a man plagues your dreams… Did you perchance see his face?”<br />
<br />
“Yes… but it seemed so real to me.”<br />
<br />
“There comes a time when all girls daydream but thankfully it may just last for two days for you. Once the Crown Prince from <i>Kanchi</i> comes here you will forget that other face. I am sure of it.”<br />
<br />
“Be that as it may. Right now let’s go into the Hunter’s Chamber and check.”<br />
<br />
“We will be wasting our time Princess! The place must be full of cobwebs and dust. We will merely ruin our saris.”<br />
<br />
“That’s alright. Let’s go.”<br />
<br />
“We might be plagued by a cough and sneeze. And tomorrow when everybody comes…”<br />
<br />
“I don’t care if I cough and sneeze. I wish to check the chamber now. Come with me.”<br />
<br />
Both women stepped into Hunter’s chamber. <i>Chandramathi</i> kept the lamp in her hand slightly elevated while <i>Manimeghalai</i> moved around the cavernous room. <i>Manimeghalai </i>also noted that there were many footprints on the dusty floor as though as someone had roamed around there.<br />
<br />
“Look at that!’ Said <i>Chandramathi</i><br />
<br />
“Why are you scared? What is it?”<br />
<br />
“It seemed like that monkey moved!”<br />
<br />
“Looks like the monkey is very happy to see you.”<br />
<br />
“Princess… now you are mocking me?”<br />
<br />
“You have mocked me for so many days. Can’t I do the same?”<br />
<br />
“Maybe you saw this monkey’s face in the mirror. It stands opposite to the wall through which we came. See there… the monkey is moving again!”<br />
<br />
“No! It the shadow, that’s moving. When you move the light in your hand the shadow moves and it seems like the monkey is moving. Come let’s leave. I see no one here.”<br />
<br />
“Then I might be right. You must have seen the monkey’s face in the mirror or it could even be this owl’s face. Look how it is staring at us.”<br />
<br />
“Us? Why would you include me? I think it is staring only at you, entranced by your beauty!”<br />
<br />
“Then whose face do you think it was, that stared at you in the mirror?”<br />
<br />
“You and others have decided that I might be suffering from delusions and if I tell you god knows what you will think. It was the face that I keep seeing in my dreams. But I know not how it came into the mirror. After seeing such a handsome face, it pains my heart to see the lifeless ever-staring faces of these animals. Come let’s leave now. I will go back to the mirror and see if I can see that face again.”<br />
<br />
Both the women left the chamber through the secret entrance. After they left, <i>Vandiya Devan</i> came out of hiding from behind the monkey that had no tail. He sneezed, again and again, thanks to the dust and cobwebs that was there behind the monkey.<br />
<br />
After that, he expressed his thanks to the monkey that had hidden them so well.<br />
<br />
“Monkey! I got angry when that handmaiden compared my face to yours. I had to stop myself from revealing my handsome form. Thankfully you stood there as tall as a man shielding me from them or else I would have been caught by those women and god knows what they would have done to me.”<br />
<br />
Even as he spoke those words, he knew in his heart that it wouldn’t be so bad if the women had spotted him there. He already knew their identities.<br />
<br />
He had heard the conversation between both the women and was able to guess who they were. That too, <i>Manimeghalai’s </i>voice was pretty loud and clear to him.<br />
<br />
Didn’t she say that the face she saw in the mirror was the one that she has seen in her dreams? What could that mean?<br />
<br />
Many old memories came back to his mind. He knew that <i>Kandanmaran</i> had spoken about him to his sister many times. He remembered the last time he was in the palace and a few glimpses that he had of that shy girl who was hiding behind her mother. <i>Kandanmaran</i> then had told him that they had got a better alliance for his sister and that she had accepted the said groom.<br />
<br />
Did he lie to me then? Maybe this girl hasn’t changed her mind after all.<br />
<br />
He realised that these were fanciful thoughts and that he needed to escape from this hunter’s chamber soon. He can’t use the elephant’s trunk to leave the chamber as it led to the women’s <i>anthapuram</i>. He needed to find a way back to the <i>Ayyanar</i> temple. He tried to look for clues on the wall but could find nothing. As he came round he neared the crocodile that was lying near. He tried to check the wall for more clues to open the way out of the chamber but knew that he was wasting time.<br />
<br />
God! Do I have no choice but to enter the women’s <i class="">anthapuram</i> and escape? Maybe <i>Manimeghalai </i>might take pity on him and help him escape! What answer could he possibly give if she asks why he came there? Could he perhaps tell her that he loved her dearly and came there to meet her secretly?<br />
<br />
Even as he thought that he rejected it. It was a terrible lie. Even ‘he’ couldn’t say it to save his life. He was sure that even if he dared to utter such a lie, there is very little chance of <i>Manimeghalai</i> believing it.<br />
<br />
If he escaped through the <i class="">anthapuram</i> <i>Manimeghalai </i>might not be alone on the other side. There might be other women too. And if <i>Sambuverayer</i> knew about this, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him!<br />
<br />
As he thought thus, he looked at the lifeless crocodile on the floor again. “Stupid Crocodile! Why do you gape thus with your mouth wide open?” he said and aimed a good kick in its direction. The crocodile moved and as it moved a trap door opened on the nearby wall.<br />
<br />
“So it’s you that has been hiding this secret. Why didn’t you tell me this before?” he said and moved the crocodile further. As the crocodile moved, the trap door opened wide and steps were seen. They were the steps that he had taken to lead him into the chamber.<br />
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-63953038908996436642017-04-24T19:49:00.002-07:002017-04-24T19:49:45.798-07:00Chapter 6 – Manimeghalai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Sambuverayar’s </i>daughter and <i>Kandanmaran’s</i> sister <i>Manimeghalai </i>was an energetic and spirited girl by nature who was cherished and loved by her family. The palace of <i>Kadambur</i> was her own royal court where she ruled over everyone like a queen. For many years, life was a happy dream until four months ago… something changed. Her family started pressuring her to agree to something that her heart couldn’t accept. Her pleas fell on deaf ears and but they seemed determined to have their way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">For the past three years, her brother <i>Kandanmaran</i> had been talking incessantly about his friend <i>Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan</i>. His wit, quick thinking, fiery temper, skill with the sword and spear were the many things that <i>Kandanmaran </i>would dwell upon incessantly. He would describe <i>Vandiya Devan</i> to be as handsome as <i>Manmathan</i>, as brave as <i>Arjuna </i>and as intelligent as Lord <i>Krishna</i> himself. He would often end the conversation by saying that ‘<i>Vandiya Devan</i> is the right groom for you. He is the only one who can keep a girl like you under his thumb’. <i>Manimeghalai </i>loved to hear him tease her with his friend but she would fight with her brother nonetheless.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“You are so full of talk. Why don’t you bring him here one day? Let me see how clever he really is.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“We will see…” <i>Kandamaran </i>would say.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Before <i>Vandiya Devan</i> came to their Palace, <i>Manimeghalai</i> has spent many days and hours, daydreaming about him. Sometimes she would speak about him to her friends and companions too. While this went on for some time, unexpectedly, her brother’s plan to wed her to V<i>andiya Devan</i> changed a few months ago. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">He started telling her that <i>Vandiya Devan</i> was an orphan with nary a home or land to his name. ‘He has nothing to offer… forget about him.’ Instead, he started hinting that she has a chance to become the Empress of the Kingdom. One day, he told her quite bluntly that she would be married to Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i> (who was already married to <i>Chinna Pazhuvetarayar’s</i> daughter). He also told that Prince <i>Madhuranthakan </i>would be next Emperor of the Kingdom and she had a chance to be his queen consort and their progeny the future kings of the <i>Chola </i>dynasty. Her parents agreed and assented to everything that <i>Kandanmaran</i> proposed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Manimeghalai</i> couldn’t imagine herself as an Empress or as anybody else’s wife other than <i>Vandiya Devan</i>. Her brother’s words about <i>Vandiya Devan</i> remained etched in her heart and she struggled hard to forget all about him as her family demanded. She was also not very impressed with what she had heard about Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i> - a coward who had never set foot on a battlefield. His piety and his declaration that he would become a Sanyasi and renounce the world too was well-known. Many were surprised when he did a sudden turnabout and married <i>Chinna Pazhuvetarayar’s</i> daughter after his public declaration. All this and more had not endeared him to <i>Manimeghalai</i> and she was determined not to wed this cowardly prince. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Later, she also heard a bit of news that strengthened her resolve. A few months ago, when <i>Periya Pazhuvetarayar</i> had come to their palace, they were told that his younger queen <i>Nandini Devi</i> too had come along. She never visited the <i>Anthapuram</i> and nor did she meet her mother and greet them. This breach of etiquette was not only surprising but also became a point of conversation among the womenfolk to ridicule <i>Periya Pazhuvetarayar </i>and his jealous nature. As days passed on, the truth was revealed. <i>Nandini Devi</i> had not come to their palace at all. It was Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i> who was brought there in a veiled palanquin in <i>Nandini’s</i> stead. That sealed her decision.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“I will never wed someone who hides his cowardly face within the veils of a palanquin. Never!’</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Ironically, the day Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i> had come hiding in the veiled palanquin, <i>Kandanmaran’s</i> friend too had come there. He had come to the <i>Anthapuram </i>and was there for a very short while but <i>Manimeghalai</i> was overcome by shyness. She stood behind the rest of the womenfolk and looked at him with bashful eyes. She couldn’t look up and see him face to face. Yet his twinkling eyes, handsome face and open smile created an everlasting impression in her young heart. He embodied everything that she had ever dreamed in a man and the few words that he spoke remained in her memory for long.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Meeting <i>Vandiya Devan</i> in flesh and blood and finding him much more than her own daydreams strengthened <i>Manimeghalai’s</i> resolve of not marrying anybody else, especially a coward like <i>Madhuranthakan</i>. She fought endlessly with <i>Kandanmaran</i> and ridiculed his attempt to marry her to <i>Madhuranthakan</i> and swore on the Gods that she would never agree to his plans.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Kandanmaran</i> felt vexed and frustrated with his sister. At first, he tried to pacify her with sweet words. Later, he tried to sway her mind by saying, ‘<i>Vandiya Devan</i> is a friend turned enemy. He stabbed me in the back and left me to die. If you marry him, I will not hesitate to kill both of you…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Then he would show the gaping wound on his back and eloquently describe how <i>Nandini Devi</i> had nursed him back to health.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“If you really love me, you will forget all about <i>Vandiya Devan</i>.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">After <i>Manimeghalai</i> heard this she did indeed change her heart. She loved her brother and knew that it would be impossible for her to wed the man who had tried to kill him. She tried to forget <i>Vandiya Devan,</i> yet the man would creep into her dreams and give her sleepless nights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The chirpy girl who used to skip around the palace with boundless energy and enthusiasm had become a shadow of her old self. The old womenfolk in the palace hinted that this transformation was because she had become old enough to be married. Her companions and handmaidens teased her often and tried to cheer her up but in vain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Though for the past few days, she was almost her old self because she had reason to believe that her parents and her brother had changed their mind about marrying her to Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i>. She also learned that they had decided to get her married to the Crown Prince, <i>Aditya Karikalan</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Next, to Prince <i>Madhuranthakan</i>, <i>Aditya Karikalan</i> was almost a giant in the people’s opinion. His bravery the glorious victories on the battlefield were well known to all. Added to that he was the Crown Prince of the Chola Kingdom, the heir apparent of a dynasty that was celebrated for its glorious legacy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Kings far and wide would happily give away the hands of their daughters to this Prince, wouldn’t they? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Yet the Prince had shied away from marriage for various reasons so long. When she heard rumours that her parents were considering offering her hand in marriage to the Crown Prince she was excited and relieved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">When she learned that their palace would be used as a seat of power to broker peace between <i>Aditya Karikalan </i>and the <i>Pazhuvur </i>clan, she almost became her old self and was excited to play the hostess to such esteemed guests. When she learned that <i>Periya Pazhuvetarayar</i> would be bringing along his queen (and this time for real), her curiosity knew no bounds. She knew that <i>Nandini Devi</i> was instrumental in saving her brother’s life. Kandanmaran’s new-found eloquence about <i>Nandini’s </i>beauty, grace and intelligence made Manimeghalai all the more curious to meet her. She also knew that <i>Nandini </i>was responsible for the peace talks that were to happen soon and that it was her idea to wed her to the Crown Prince. <i>Kandanmaran</i> wanted his sister to become <i>Nandini’s </i>companion and friend during their visit at the palace and learn courtly behaviour and etiquette from her. <i>Manimeghalai</i> had no objections to this scheme. That was another reason for her enthusiasm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The past week saw her overseeing the arrangements for the guest rooms. She stayed up late checking the palace wing that has been allocated to the Prince and his entourage and the <i>Pazhuvur</i> clan. Most importantly, she would often visit the chambers that have been made ready for the <i>Pazhuvur</i> queen to ensure it didn’t lack in material comforts. Her scrutiny vexed her servants and handmaidens who were made to clean and decorate the rooms again and again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">She also scrutinised the chambers that were allocated for the Crown Prince.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Someone called Parthibendra Pallavan was also accompanying the Prince it seems. God knows who that is? These days, one can’t be sure when someone will change. That Vandiya Devan too was once a part of Aditya Karikalan’s entourage. If only he didn’t turn out to be such a traitor, he too could have come here along with the Crown Prince.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Thus ran her thoughts and though she tried to keep herself engaged with the novelty of playing the hostess, she couldn’t forget her brother’s friend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Periya Pazhuvetarayar</i> and his queen were expected to arrive that night, therefore, late in the evening, <i>Manimeghalai</i> found herself back in the guest wing scrutinising the servants as they made things ready. As she walked through the chamber, she stood for a while in front of the ornate large mirror that was kept there. She looked at herself rather objectively and then decided that she was indeed attractive. Just when she had decided to move, she noticed that there was another face along with hers in the mirror. It was the face of a person that had tormented her in many dreams. She couldn’t help but scream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The next instant, the other face disappeared and only hers was seen in the mirror.</span></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-67499644321513091562017-04-02T21:39:00.001-07:002017-04-02T21:39:36.402-07:00Chapter 5 – The Underground Passage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After entering the secret underground passage at the Ayyanar Temple, Vandiya Devan walked for a while in the dark. A faint light was seen from the entrance of the tunnel through which he had entered and that gave him the confidence to venture further into the darkness. After taking a few steps, he heard a rumbling sound of a lever being turned and the tunnel entrance closed. The underground passage became so dark that Vandiya Devan became disoriented. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">His first thoughts were of the resolution that he took not so long ago -- about not getting involved in things that do not concern his mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why did I get into this tunnel now? My mission was to reach Aditya Karikalar as soon as possible and stop him from coming to Kadambur… then what am I doing here instead? Why do I act so rashly? When will I learn?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He slowly traced his way back to the tunnel entrance and tried to find the lever that would open it but the darkness that had enveloped the place suffocated him from all directions. He could hear faint voices too and surmised that some more people might have come to the Temple, which was probably why Edupankari was lighting all those lamps. Ravidasan’s gang might have come there to meet with Edupankari… then it would be dangerous to try and escape from the tunnel now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why did they come here? What are they planning?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thankfully the Vaishnavan would be there to keep an eye on them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why should I wait here until they leave? I probably fall unconscious before I can escape from here. Instead, why not explore this underground tunnel. It might be useful in future to learn where it leads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After deciding thus, he turned around started walking forward again. The ground was rough and was filled with stones. He surmised that the tunnel might lead him to Kadambur Palace. The bigger question was where in the Palace would it lead him? Most palaces had tunnels such as these built in the women’s anthapuram. During times of peril or war, the womenfolk would use such escape routes to save their honour from their enemies. That apart, they would also use these underground tunnels to hoard their treasures. So it might lead him towards the treasure chamber of the Sambuverayar clan. Nandini had aided the Ravidasan gang to loot the treasure of Cholas from the Dark Palace and Edupankari is probably doing the same with Sambuverayar too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But why would they want to loot the treasure now, especially when Aditya Karikalan is expected at the Palace? What if they have another motive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He remembered the coronation drama that had occurred at Thirupurambayam forest and Nandini wielding the sword that was etched with the Pandya royal emblem of Fish. His body shivered when he remembered the scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They have no interest in Sambuverayar’s treasure. They are here for a bigger fish obviously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They have a more dangerous motive and that’s why they are using this tunnel to gain entrance into the Palace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is important that I find what lies at the end of the tunnel because it would help me thwart their plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He walked slowly feeling his way through the walls. Though it had been just a few minutes since he entered the tunnel, he felt as though he had been inside for more than an hour. He wondered how long the tunnel would be and tried to calculate the distance between the Palace and the Bamboo forest. At the outset, it seemed too vast a distance but then he and the Nambi had wandered through many alleys and streets before they got to the outskirts of the town. Maybe it was not that far a distance after all. If someone were to take an aim through the forest at the palace, the arrow would travel a straight path… that meant he was probably near the palace if not inside it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even as he thought that a gush of fresh air came through a hidden crevice in the tunnel and cheered him up. The stale air and the darkness that had enveloped the tunnel had him sweating profusely so much so that he would have fainted in a short while. The fresh air cleared his mind and he stood there for a while. He could hear faint voices of soldiers who probably were manning the fort. He could also see a very faint light from the crevice that was providing him with the fresh air. It had been built so cleverly that those who were on the ground above could not even see it even as they trod upon it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now that he had neared the Palace entrance, his destination too should be nearby. But where would the tunnel end, at the treasure chamber of Sambuverayars or at the Anthapuram? He wondered what he would find at the treasure chamber of Sambuverayars? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will they have pots of gold coins… pearls, gems, diamonds, diadems? Will there be skeletons and skulls guarding his treasure? Will there be webs of a spider weaving their desire on men who chance upon the treasure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thinking thus, he kept walking forward. At a point, he stumbled and looked down. He could faintly discern a staircase leading upstairs. This is probably where the treasure chamber would be there or he might be entering the Anthapuram. If it happened to be the Anthapuram, then his plight would be doubly dangerous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ah! Kandanmaran’s sister… that dark complexioned beauty. She would be there! He had once thought that he would get married to her. He smiled thinking thus but sadly there was no one there to see his handsome face beaming. He wondered what would happen to the womenfolk if he appeared in their midst at the anthapuram. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What if they were bathing or changing their robes? How awkward it would be! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He laughed when he thought as he climbed the stairs. Next second, the laughter died in his throat as he stared at the sight that unfolded in front of him. He could see hundreds of eyes staring at him from the depths of darkness and they belonged to wild animals. Vandiya Devan took a step back in panic and then heard a sound behind. It was the sound of the tunnel closing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1llb6Y8I-8/WOHR6yPjvQI/AAAAAAAAGjw/KcUaDwbcZHotpJu-TClWj-4oqoUtoynEACLcB/s1600/VD_at_Kadambur_underground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1llb6Y8I-8/WOHR6yPjvQI/AAAAAAAAGjw/KcUaDwbcZHotpJu-TClWj-4oqoUtoynEACLcB/s320/VD_at_Kadambur_underground.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That meant this chamber was open all this while and when I entered it closed its doors! While one part of his brain issued this warning to him, he stood frozen in that place unable to move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why are all these wild animals waiting for me here? Tigers, cheetahs, leopards, lions and lionesses, bears, jackals and wolves were standing there watching him silently! There were two elephants too standing majestically!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why aren’t they moving? Why are they standing so still? Why don’t they pounce on me and prey on my flesh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There was a giant big owl sitting on the ledge of the roof. Then he spotted a crocodile on the floor below and he wondered how the beast came to be lying amidst these animals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s when the truth hit him and he exhaled with a relief. They were real wild animals for sure but have been dead and gone for many years. Their flesh has been preserved and their bodies have been stuffed with cloth and straw. Fascinated he touched the animals in wonder as if to make sure they were really dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He wondered what to do next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Should I go on and find the entrance back into the tunnel or move on and find a way to exit this chamber?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The chamber had no visible door and as time ticked on he found himself getting angry and he berated himself for his rash decisions. He circulated the chamber by touching the wall everywhere hoping to find a lever to release him from this prison. At one place there was an elephant’s face with its trunk kept on the wall. In his anger, he twisted the elephant’s trunk saying, “Stupid elephant! It was you who got me into this trouble. Had you not moved at the Ayannar temple, I wouldn’t be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_XhXBEDf7Y/WOHSAeFGZLI/AAAAAAAAGj0/NH14HupkH5U9Ft2z1fcveRad_IPT8ZdQQCLcB/s1600/VD_sees_Mani_mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_XhXBEDf7Y/WOHSAeFGZLI/AAAAAAAAGj0/NH14HupkH5U9Ft2z1fcveRad_IPT8ZdQQCLcB/s320/VD_sees_Mani_mirror.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The next instant a cavity opened on its own on the wall and Vandiya Devan astonished put his head inside to have a look around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first thing that he saw was a woman’s face. A beautiful dark-skinned woman with beautiful doe-like eyes was looking into a mirror! He was standing near the chamber’s door in such a way that his face was so close to her in the mirror. Almost as though he would kiss her!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The woman looked surprised and then shocked. The next instant a scream escaped her lips and Vandiya Devan panicked and took his hand of the elephant’s trunk and the chamber closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-27077136987824821532017-03-11T00:25:00.000-08:002017-03-11T00:41:24.688-08:00Chapter 4 – The Ayyanar Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just when <i>Karikalan</i> and his grandsire were talking, on the northern banks of <i>Kollidam</i> at a place known as <i>Thirukannathumullur</i> our old friends <i>Azhwarkadiyan Nambi</i> and <i>Vandiya Devan</i> were engaged in an odd occupation. This part of <i>Kollidam</i> River in those days was a holy pilgrimage area as the idol of <i>Shiva</i> from the adjoining temple was brought out for immersion in the river waters. To see this sight, many devout <i>Saivites</i> and <i>Kalamugars</i> would gather at the banks every day in the holy month of <i>Thula</i>. Not only <i>Shiva</i>, Lord <i>Vishnu</i>’s idols too were brought from the village temple for holy immersion with the result there were many <i>Vaishnavaites</i> and <i>Saivites</i> thronging the banks of the river.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amidst this crowd, <i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> had hoisted a flag and issued a challenge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ6DUuZ-BFg/WMOzgeroxyI/AAAAAAAAGhg/CFsEbKtu_ewPOEXhGmjfHJswVqIBbx-pQCLcB/s1600/Nambi_challenging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ6DUuZ-BFg/WMOzgeroxyI/AAAAAAAAGhg/CFsEbKtu_ewPOEXhGmjfHJswVqIBbx-pQCLcB/s320/Nambi_challenging.jpg" width="66" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have come here to debate and to establish that Lord <i>Vishnu</i> is the greatest among all the other Gods. <i>Saivars, Kalamugars, Advaitis, Kapaligars, Buddhars</i> or Jains… no matter what your faith is can come here and debate with me. If you win, I will hoist you on my shoulders and circumambulate this village but if you lose, you will need to hand over every possession that you carry on yourself except for your clothes. Who is ready for the challenge?” thus he growled looking around. In front of him, there were many rudraksha bead chains, golden necklaces, large earrings, brass vessels, costly silk and bags of coins which he had obviously won from those who were foolish enough to challenge him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Standing near the <i>Nambi </i>under a <i>Kadamba</i> tree, <i>Vandiya Devan</i> pranced with a drawn sword. He barely had enough clothes on him and just the sword in his hand. His menacing looks seemed as though he was protecting the <i>Nambi </i>from those who had tried to mishandle him through force. He looked at the group of <i>Saivars</i> who had come there in response to <i>Nambi’s </i>challenge and said, “Be warned! You are free to debate with this <i>Nambi </i>as much as you want, but if you dare to lay a hand on him, you will fall prey to this sword.” He then whirled the sword around to great effect forcing the angry <i>Saivars </i>to rein in the violence that they were planning against the audacious<i> Vaishnavan.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Vaishnavaney</i>! Don’t get arrogant just because you won the debate today. Go to <i>Thirunarayur</i>, there you will find <i>Nambiyandar Nambi </i>whose skills in debating will put you to shame.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, if that is so, then ask him to go and debate with <i>Thirunarayanapuram’s Ananda </i><i>Battar</i>. Even I might be going there…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saying thus, he called out for more people to challenge and when none came forth he removed the flag of challenge and put in its place a flag bearing the holy marks of <i>Vaishnavaites</i> – a conch and a discus. After he did that, the other <i>Vaishnavaites</i> who were gleefully watching the entire spectacle celebrated his victory by bearing him on their soldiers and chanted slogans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After that one of them invited them to come to their home to partake a meal. <i>Azhwarkadiyan </i>agreed to come with great dignity and went along with <i>Vandiya Devan</i>. At the <i>Vaishnavan’s</i> house, they ate through a meal of tasty tamarind rice, sweetened rice (desert) and curd rice. Later, <i>Azhwarkadiyan </i>bartered all the items that he had won in the debate to the gathered <i>Vaishnavaites</i> (except for a silk upper garment that he gave to <i>Vandiya Devan</i>) for a bag of gold coins. He told them that he and <i>Vandiya Devan</i> were on a holy pilgrimage to <i class="">Haridwaram</i> and that they needed the coins for their journey. After getting the coins, they bid farewell and made their way towards <i>Kadambur</i> Palace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier that day they had crossed the <i>Kollidam</i> River on a crowded ferry that capsized when it neared the banks of the river. Since they were close to the banks, they were able to swim to the shore without much difficulty but most of them lost their possessions to the flowing waters. <i>Vandiya Devan</i> too lost all his possessions, the letters that he carried from <i>Kundavai</i> and from the Prime Minister to <i>Aditya Karikalan</i> were lost in the floods. He also lost the palm tree signet ring that <i>Nandini</i> had given him and the bag of coins that he was given for expenses. With no money in hand to buy horses, they had to earn it back with the help of <i>Azhwarkadiyan’s </i>debating skills. There were no horses to buy in the village that they had their meal so they had to walk all the way to <i>Kadambur </i>village to procure one and that too was a doubtful prospect. If none were available there, they would have to go to <i>Thirupathipuliyur</i> to get one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They both vigorously argued about the merits and demerits of going to <i>Kadambur</i>. For one thing, they might learn news about where <i>Aditya Karikalan</i> was camped presently at <i>Kadambur.</i> This might help them plan the route of their journey. The pitfalls of going to <i>Kadambur </i>were also many. What if someone sees them there? What if <i>Pazhuvur</i> soldiers were already camped there? And if they see <i>Vandiya Devan</i> there would be hell to pay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Nambi</i>! You know how to jump over walls, why don’t you get into the horse stables of <i>Kadambur </i>Palace and steal two horses for us?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can jump over wall… but the horses too need to know that skill <i>Thambi</i>!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If the <i>Pazhuvur</i> soldiers are camped there, then let’s steal away two horses from them. I still haven’t forgotten the way they had hassled my horse the last time we were there and I have been itching for some revenge.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That steered the conversation towards the conspiracy that they both overheard the noblemen hatching and they discussed it at length all the way to<i> Kadambur.</i> As they expected the <i>Kadambur </i>village was getting ready to welcome their Crown Prince. Colourful decorations, flags and garlands were seen everywhere. Security around the <i>Kadambur</i> Palace was tight as ever. If that were not enough, <i>Periya Pazhuvetarayar</i>, the treasurer of the Kingdom too was arriving with a large entourage. It was reasonable to expect the village to be buzzing with activity for the next few days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Nambi</i> and <i>Vandiya Devan</i> learned all this at the village market where people conversed freely. They also learned that both the parties have not arrived in <i>Kadambur</i> yet. They found out that <i>Sambuverayar’s</i> son <i>Kandan Maran</i> went all the way to <i>Kanchi </i>to bring the Crown Prince to <i>Kadambur</i>. While the people spoke about the events to come excitedly, some expressed their grief over the drowned prince in whispers and their outrage over the fact that entertainers outran the village, even while they were mourning the death of their Emperor’s son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> and <i>Vandiya Devan</i> heard all this silently and made their way to the outskirts of the village. They didn’t want to stay the night at the village, lest they were recognised. At the outskirts, they might find an abandoned mandapam or a guesthouse to rest for the night, or they could even make their way to <i>Veeranarayanapuram</i> and sleep in the temple mandapam peacefully. After the being caught in the floods of the <i>Kollidam</i> the previous night, they both craved uninterrupted sleep. After leaving <i>Kadambur</i> village they walked along the length of a thick bamboo forest when they saw an <i>Ayyanar</i> temple hidden amidst the thick foliage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Vaishnavarey</i>! I can’t walk anymore. Let’s sleep in this temple tonight. We will be away from prying eyes and spies here.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You are wrong about that. Places such as this will always attract people like us, who wish to stay hidden from the populace.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s fine let them come. I only wish that they came with their horses. That would be good for us.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It would be impossible to enter this bamboo forest with a horse. Even for us, it would be difficult to enter.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There must be a pathway somewhere here. How else does the temple priest come here?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They searched their way through the bamboo forest and soon found a narrow pathway as predicted by <i>Vandiya Devan</i>. It was so narrow that they had to be very careful while walking through the path to avoid the thorns. After walking for a while, there was a clearing around the area where the temple was built. A large sacrificial altar was erected in front of the temple and many large mud elephants and horses were kept there as an offering to <i>Ayyanar</i> (guardian deity of villages).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After looking at the horses, <i>Vandiya Devan</i> said, “Why are we so worried about horses when we could borrow some from <i>Ayyanar</i>?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you forgotten the proverb, that you shouldn’t trust a mud horse and get into the lake?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Vaishnavaney</i>! Our <i>Ayyanar</i> is a very powerful God. He listens to his devotee’s pleas almost immediately. Not like your Lord <i>Vishnu</i>, who sleeps through the day.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So you believe that he would bring this mud horse to life. Good for us. Might as well save some gold.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Those who bear true devotion in their hearts will find their wishes come true and the mud horses will come to life. What if they are made of mud? What of our bodies? Aren’t they made of mud before <i>Brahma</i> gave us a breath of life?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Very true <i>Thambi</i>! We keep forgetting it that’s why our <i>Vaishnava</i> gurus have bid us to keep ‘thiruman’ on our foreheads just so that we remember this.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At that moment, <i>Vandiya Devan</i> suddenly said ‘Ushhh’ and bid <i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> quiet. Dusk had fallen and all around the forest, darkness was gathering and in the twilight, they saw a miracle. A horse and an elephant were indeed coming to life! The elephant had moved from its place and so had the horse! <i>Vandiya Devan</i> was amazed by the sight and couldn’t stop himself from impressing upon the <i>Nambi</i> about the great divine powers of <i>Ayyanar</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Vaishnavarey</i>! Did you see?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> held his hand tight and bid him be quiet and led him behind a huge tree to watch what was happening at the temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The place where the elephant and the horse had originally stood had a hole in the ground through which a head appeared! The head turned around in all directions, which seemed pretty gory to <i>Vandiya Devan</i> whose eyes flitted towards the sacrificial altar that was nearby. But <i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> was watching the proceedings unfazed without a hint of fear. Even as they watched the head came out of the tunnel to reveal that it was indeed a man within it. The man came out of the tunnel and in the gathering darkness and <i>Nambi</i> was able to recognize who he was. It was <i>Edupankari,</i> the man who was employed in <i>Kadambur </i>Palace as a servant and a spy for <i>Ravidasan’s </i>gang.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Nambi</i> and <i>Vandiya Devan</i> looked at each other in surprise and shock. <i>Edupankari</i> left the tunnel open below and then once again looked around him suspiciously and walked towards the temple. He then opened the temple doors and went inside. Within a few minutes, the temple lamps were lit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Thambi</i>! What do you think of this?” asked <i>Nambi</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Ayyanar</i> is indeed more powerful than any God. Didn’t you see how the horse and the elephant came to life?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s alright. What about the man who just came here? What do you think of him?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Looks like he is the temple priest here. Shall we go in to get the darshan of Lord <i>Ayyanar</i>?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hold on… let’s wait and watch if somebody else comes here for the same.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you really think many other people would come?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Then, why else is he lighting so many lamps at the Sanctum?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He is the priest of the temple isn’t he?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Didn’t you recognise him?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I did. He is the soldier who procured me the horse when we crossed <i>Kollidam</i>. His name is <i>Edupankari</i>. Do you think he would help us get a horse again?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You do come up with brilliant ideas.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You disapprove?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Edupankari</i> is not just the soldier who procured the horse for you. He also happens to be <i>Ravidasan’s</i> spy.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is that so? Then I do have yet another brilliant idea.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And what would that be?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What if I got inside the tunnel through which he had come?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It could be dangerous!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Every turn of our life is dangerous!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Alright! Just as you wish.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Will you watch around here and see what’s happening?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Of course I will. Do you have any idea where that tunnel would end?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Many ideas… that’s what I would like to confirm.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why do you wish to know where the tunnel ends?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It might come in handy sometime… who knows?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s when they heard voices at a distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s not tarry anymore. You will stay right here won’t you until I get back? Or will you do the same thing that Sugreeva did to Vaali?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If I am alive, you will find me here waiting for you but will you come back here for sure?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I will return for sure… if I am alive.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saying thus, <i>Vandiya Devan</i> ran towards the statues of horse and elephant and then jumped inside the tunnel entrance. After he disappeared, <i>Edupankari</i> came out of the temple and noticed that he had left the tunnel entrance open. He immediately went near the sacrificial altar and turned a lever and the elephant and horse moved back to its original position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After he did that he stood near the temple entrance awaiting someone’s arrival and that’s when <i>Ravidasan</i>, <i>Soman Sambavan</i> and the rest of the gang arrived through a different forest path. <i>Azhwarkadiyan</i> tried to hide behind the thin bamboo reeds when he spied them arriving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ravidasan</i> sat down at the temple entrance and the rest of the gang sat around him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Friends! We are about to fulfil our vow very soon.” Said <i>Ravidasan</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This is what we have been saying for the past six months… that the ‘time is near’ but when are we going to fulfil it?” questioned <i>Soman Sambavan</i> morosely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, we have been saying it for the past six months… and each passing day we were nearing the right time when our plans would come to fruition. Now though we can count the number days that are left to fulfil our vow. I just heard that <i>Aditya Karikalan </i>has started from <i>Kanchi</i>. I heard that he is determined to come to Kadambur despite the objections that his grandfather <i>Thirukovalur Malaimaan </i>had raised.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What if someone tries to change his mind, while he is on his way here?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Aditya Karikalan</i> will never back down once he has decided on a course of action. He will see this through.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What if the message that his sister had sent reaches him?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How is that possible? Didn’t we tie that boy in the middle of the forest?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“’Middle of the forest’ indeed! We saw that boy at <i>Kollidam</i> river banks and along with him was one other enemy of ours.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is that?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That rogue <i>Vaishnavan</i>!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Alright, then we will need to be very careful. We should not allow them to meet <i>Karikalan</i> at any cost.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes… wonderful idea indeed. When we had the boy in our hands, we will allow him to escape and then waste our time trying to hunt him down. We should have slain him right there and offered him as a sacrifice at the battlefield of our glorious king. Why does our queen pity him so? Why did we spare his life?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Friends! I can understand your doubts and believe me, I too asked our queen the same questions. It’s only recently that I had the opportunity to learn her entire plan and I have to concede defeat and agree that she is indeed brilliant. <i>Vandiya Devan’s</i> life was spared for a very important reason and you will learn the why of it very soon. Do not worry about him, when the time comes, we will take care of him. But we can’t be lenient where the <i class="">Vaishnavan</i> is concerned and if any of you spot him anywhere, slay him without any second thoughts.”</span><br />
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-53858781439341806412017-02-11T01:18:00.001-08:002017-02-11T01:18:44.826-08:00Chapter 3 – The Eagle and the Pigeon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The old man looked at the spot that his grandson has pointed. It was an old mandapam dilapidated and careworn built many years ago by some kind-hearted nobleman to aid those who travelled the roads in these parts. Though the structure was old, it was ornamentally superior with much beautiful sculptural work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Did you see thatha?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! You are pointing towards that mandapam but I see nothing there. There is no one inside the mandapam too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha, only now I can truly say that you have indeed grown old. Your eyesight is definitely not what it used to be. Look there! There is an eagle, see how large and ferocious it looks. Look at its wings, so vast and powerful. But what is this? Oh! How terrible? The eagle is holding a pigeon as its prisoner with its sharp claws. Can’t you see it? It is shedding the blood of that poor pigeon! There I can see another bird! It is hovering around that eagle trying to rescue its mate. Will it beg the eagle to leave her mate alone? No. The way it is trying to soar over the eagle, it looks like it will fight for its lover. My God! That ladybird has more courage than all the men in this world. It is trying to fight for its mate’s life. Will the eagle relent? No… never. The eagle has preyed many such pigeons, why would it leave its prey? That wretched bird! You deserve to be slain!” growled Aditya Karikalan and then picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it at the mandapam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The pebble hit the inner wall of the mandapam and fell down seeing which Karikalan laughed out thunderously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Malaimaan who had long been worried about the sanity of his grandson looked at him with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha! Why are you staring at me thus? Go to that mandapam and see it closely.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Malaimaan got up and walked towards the mandapam and found that within its inner walls a beautiful statue depicting the scene that Karikalan had just described. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Malaimaan came back and said, “Child! You were right. I have indeed grown so old that my eyes have become weak. I could see that statue only after I neared it. It is an extraordinary statue by all means.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Extraordinary? It is surely something more than that. I am sure it was sculpted by someone who possessed incredible talent and vision… probably during the time of Mahendra Pallava. When I saw it first, I thought it was real!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Aditya! It is an amazing statue no doubt about it but beauty such as this can be spotted only by those who have a discerning eye. Imagine how many people must have passed by road. Most of them would not even notice the statue, leave alone admire its beauty. Very few people like yourself will find it extraordinary… worthy of admiration.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have no admiration for it thatha, instead I am angry. I am incensed enough to pound that statue to dust. How could someone portray so much cruelty through his art?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Karikala! What is wrong with you? When did your heart relent so much that you couldn’t stand cruelty in art? An eagle kills a pigeon because it is his prey, nothing more and nothing less. It’s in his nature to grab its prey. If the lion starts showing compassion to the goat, then it can’t be the ‘King of the forest’ anymore. Those who wish to rule the land must eliminate all their adversaries and those who spy for them. If that eagle didn’t prey on that pigeon then will you ever call it the ‘king of the birds’? Why would you get so upset about something this simple?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha! I agree with what you said but don’t you think that Eagle should have pitied that ladybird and have spared the life of its mate? Tell me something! If you were about to kill your enemy what would you do if his wife or lover fell at your feet begging you to spare his life? Won’t you feel pity for her and release your enemy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If I were in this situation, I wouldn’t hesitate to kick her aside and kill my enemy. Karikala! Have no doubts about it. Do you know what Valluvar said about one’s enemies? He said, your enemy might have a sword in his hand to attack you, but it’s a woman’s tears that you need to be careful about because they are as lethal as a sword. They have the power to melt your hardened heart. And those who fall prey to their tears will remain enslaved by them and can never achieve any greatness in this world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha, How could you have such a low opinion of women? That means the same opinion holds good for mine own mother and your daughter, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! The affection that I bear for your mother can’t be compared to anything else in this world. I once had six warrior sons, each one as mighty as Bhima or Arjuna. I sacrificed them on the altar of war and when I heard that they were slain by our enemies, I didn’t grieve their death. But when I gave away my daughter’s hand in marriage to your father my sorrow knew no bounds. Even the knowledge that she would be the Empress of this Kingdom, didn’t grant me any happiness. Did I show my sorrow to anyone? No! And nor did she know the sorrow that I bore in my heart. I spoke to her at length, a day before she was to wed your father. Do you know what I told her? I said, ‘Dear Daughter! You are to wed the Emperor of this Kingdom. Don’t become arrogant or entertain unwanted pride for this fact within your heart. You will only suffer unhappiness because of that. The fact that your husband is so loved and popular will only add to your grief. Even the handmaiden of your palace would lead a happy domestic life than yourself… so prepare your heart to be disappointed. If you fail to bear children for your husband, he would marry another woman for the same. Don’t grieve if such a situation arises. If you do bear sons to him, it is onto you to bring them up as good warriors. If they die on the battlefield, grieve in your heart but do not allow tears to escape your eyes. If your husband is happy, you too be happy with him. If he grieves, try to make him happy. If he lies on the sick bed, take care of him with dedication. If he dies, become a Sati and follow him to the world beyond. No matter what happens, no matter how hurt you are, do not let those tears escape your eyes. Thus I asked her to uphold the values of our clan and she has been following my advice since then. She brought up her sons, as peerless warriors and when your father became sick, she took care of him day and night. As a father, I am so proud of the fact that she is my daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha! You are right. I am proud of my mother too but I do have a doubt. What would my mother do, if a deadly enemy should raise his sword to strike at my father? Would she shed tears and beg for her husband’s life? What if this enemy was someone who she has known since childhood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! Your mother would never beg for your father’s life and bring shame upon the clan that she was born and bred and nor will she shame the clan that she has married into. If such a situation arises, her husband’s enemy would become her enemy. She would never beg for his life. If he dies, she would die along with him right there or else she might harden her heart and seek vengeance and seek to stay alive until she takes her revenge upon the enemy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aditya Karikalan let out a long sigh when he heard this and then said, “Thatha! Shall I take your leave now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you really have to go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you still have doubts about it? We have come half way through the king’s road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. We have come halfway through the journey. I first advised you not to go and then I asked you to go. After hearing the news about your brother, I felt that it would be best if you went there. I don’t believe that he is lost to the sea…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Neither do I”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“When your father was young, he too went missing for a while in Elangai. I think Arul Mozhi too would return to us one day but the entire kingdom is in turmoil because of this news. Your parents are worried and troubled and it is your duty to stay next to them and ease their burden and offer support. I thought that it would be best that you go to Thanjavur as the friend of Pazhuvur brothers, rather than as their enemy. That’s why I asked you to accept the invitation of Sambuverayar. He didn’t invite me deliberately if he had, I would have accepted it and come along with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha! You are so scared? Do you really think that I am so helpless?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No Child! You aren’t helpless. You are a peerless warrior and I would never hesitate to send you out to the war front. I wouldn’t even be worried if you went to the battlefield alone to face your enemies. But I do worry when you go to meet a woman who would melt your heart with her tears.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I doubt if Sambuverayar’s daughter knows such tricks. From what I have heard from Kandan Maran, she is painfully shy who hides from the gaze of menfolk. And I really wouldn’t seek a marriage alliance without my parent’s consent. I also know that two of your own clans women are unmarried…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Aditha! I have no such thoughts. My oldest son’s daughters are ready to be wedded but I have no intention of saddling you with them. Right from the time, my daughter wed the reigning Emperor many who wished to seek an alliance with him became my enemies and has since envied my position. If I tried to marry off more women from my clan, then you will have no friends in this kingdom. It is for the best that you marry Samburverayar’s daughter. You need new friends and new alliances. I am old and frail… and sometimes I feel myself drowning in sorrow and fear. Sometimes I worry that this might be last time that I would see you alive! I don’t think I can be of use to you anymore. You need friends who would support your claim to the throne and for that reason alone, if you marry Sambuverayan’s daughter, I would be very happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thatha! I can’t marry someone just to make you happy and nor do I seek Sambuverayar’s friendship to support my claim.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then why are you going there? Won’t you tell me the truth? I have heard your friends talking about it. Are you really going there because of the summons that Pazhuvur Lord’s wife has sent you? Is it really true?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes Thatha! That’s true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My God! I can’t believe it. Karikala! Listen to me. Your dynasty has been ruling this kingdom for over two thousand years now. Some were kings of smaller areas while many were Emperors of the entire southern region. Some married once and remained faithful to their wife, while some married multiple times and had a hoard of sons through them. Many were devout and spiritual while some turned out to be atheists and insisted that there are no Gods but none of them so far have a blemish to their character. They would never look at a woman who was wed to another. Child! Marry whomsoever you want, so long as they are single. Your great grandfather Paranthakan I married seven women from different clans. Do the same…but do not cast your eyes on another man’s wife especially the one who has seduced the senses of a warrior like Periya Pazhuvetarayar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Forgive me, Thatha! I have no such intention and nor will I ever taint the name of my clan or yours with such actions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If that is so… then why do you answer her summons?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will tell you the truth before I leave thatha. I once did a grave injustice to her and wish to seek her forgiveness. That’s why I am going to meet her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What are you saying? You will bow down and seek forgiveness… that too to a woman! I can’t believe my ears!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aditya Karikalan remained silent for a while and then rallied his heart to share the truth with his grandsire. He narrated the story of how he had hunted for Veera Pandyan and how he found Nandini in the hut along with the wounded king. He told him how he had beheaded the Pandya King after kicking aside Nandini who was begging for the life of her lover. He also told him of the torment that he has been experiencing ever since he rejected her plea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQeE7jeM6PU/WJ7W0FMYh4I/AAAAAAAAGYQ/2a27qB5KNc8DozcjkWQXWm2JfEvT-jWNgCLcB/s1600/Nandini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQeE7jeM6PU/WJ7W0FMYh4I/AAAAAAAAGYQ/2a27qB5KNc8DozcjkWQXWm2JfEvT-jWNgCLcB/s320/Nandini.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am tormented by the memory of my brutal act and unless I seek her forgiveness, I will have no peace in my heart. Her message to me also indicates the fact that she wishes to forget the past. She doesn’t want any confusion or chaos in the kingdom. That’s why she sent the message. I will meet her there and return almost immediately to Kanchi. After that, I plan to take a ship to Elangai and hunt for my lost brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Malaimaan let out a long sigh and said, “I am able to understand many things that had eluded me earlier. I now know that it is impossible to win over one’s fate and destiny.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-83896282871685298062017-01-28T04:05:00.000-08:002017-01-28T04:05:19.929-08:00Chapter 2 – Grandsire and Grandson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTtC1VPFW94/WIx_wI2qDtI/AAAAAAAAGUU/03ISmj3FYGQEju9xiu6AdJv5NwzwIB__wCLcB/s1600/karikalan_malaimaan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTtC1VPFW94/WIx_wI2qDtI/AAAAAAAAGUU/03ISmj3FYGQEju9xiu6AdJv5NwzwIB__wCLcB/s320/karikalan_malaimaan.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The chariot stopped and Thirukovallur Malaimaan who was seated on it, said, “Child! <i>Karikala</i>! I wish to take your leave here and travel to <i>Thirukovallur</i>. Before I leave, I wish to speak to you about a few things. Will you sit with me for a while, under that tree.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Alright, <i class="">Thatha</i>!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Prince and his Grandsire then walked towards the tree and sat under it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Watching them, <i>Parthibendran</i> looked at <i>Kandanmaran</i> and said, “Thank the Gods! I was worried that the old man would come with us all the way to <i>Kadambur</i> Palace.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“If he had, I would have drowned him in the floods of <i>Kollidam</i> River.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both men then laughed, mighty pleased with their own humour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meanwhile, <i>Thirukovallur Malaimaan</i> looked at his grandson and said, “<i class="">Aditha</i>! You were born on this day 24 years ago in <i>Thirukovallur</i> in my own palace. I remember the festivities that we had then like it happened yesterday. Many noblemen of your clan, my clan and that of <i>Thondai Mandalam</i> had gathered there to celebrate the birth of the royal heir. Along with all these noblemen, over 30,000 soldiers had come along as an entourage. The festive gaiety that followed your birth can’t be described in one day. Even your father’s coronation paled in comparison to the celebration that we had after you were born. Whatever treasure my ancestors had hoarded in over hundred years was spent on that one single day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Did you know, your great grandfather <i>Paranthaka</i> came to <i>Thirukovallur</i> along with the King <i>Gandarathidhar </i>and your father? You can’t imagine their happiness when they learned that a male heir has been born to the royal dynasty. Your great grandfather’s sons died without siring an heir and of all the sons only <i>Aringzha Chola</i> had a child, your father. He was the most handsome prince to be born in your family. Poor man! He was subjected to much and many inconveniences because of that. When he was young, the palace womenfolk enjoyed dressing him up as a woman and engaged in games about how beautiful he would be, if only he was a woman! When he grew up, scores and scores of noblemen fell over their feet trying to offer their daughters’ hand in marriage to him. He was ripe for plucking indeed! He was not only handsome but also the heir to the Chola throne. I was fortunate when he accepted my daughter’s hand in marriage and he became my son-in-law.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our clan is well known for bravery and not for beauty, be it men or women. We consider battle scars to be symbols of beauty among the men and for women virtue, honour and duty are the qualities that make them truly beautiful. When it was decided that <i>Sundara Chola</i> would wed my daughter, the people of my kingdom rejoiced and I became the object of envy among the other noblemen who had been vying for the Emperor’s hand in marriage. I didn’t let it bother me. Their marriage was solemnised in <i>Thanjavur</i> and the celebrations that followed were in accordance to royal nuptials in any kingdom, yet they can’t be compared to the celebrations that followed your birth. There arose a huge argument about what name you should bear. Some of your relatives wanted you named after the most famous king born in your clan – <i>Karikala Valavan</i> while I wanted you to be named after your grandfather <i>Rajadhithar</i>. Finally, we named you <i>Adithya Karikalan</i> and satisfied the wishes of all concerned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There! <i>Adhitha</i>! Do you see the temple tower of <i>Thirunavalur </i>Temple? That’s where <i>Sundaramurthy Nayanaar</i> was born. That’s where your grandfather Prince <i>Rajadhithar</i> had camped when he went on to fight his last war. I have seen many warriors in my life and have heard of much more in stories, legends and myths but I am yet to meet another man who can compare with <i>Rajadhithar’s </i>might and skill. Those of us, who were fortunate enough to fight along with him, will attest to that.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vTCa_DESfs/WIyH0pcvloI/AAAAAAAAGUk/frjPQ5PL75Y1Vf2Z88ld3ejpd9ICFVwXQCLcB/s1600/thirunavaloor-temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vTCa_DESfs/WIyH0pcvloI/AAAAAAAAGUk/frjPQ5PL75Y1Vf2Z88ld3ejpd9ICFVwXQCLcB/s320/thirunavaloor-temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Thirunavalur Temple Today<br />Image courtesy: http://www.marvelmurugan.com</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Rajadhithar</i> had camped here to invade north. He wanted to conquer Eratai Mandalam and defeat King <i>Kannara Devan</i>. Centuries ago, <i>Narasimha Pallavar</i> destroyed <i>Vatapi</i> and the <i>Chalukya</i> stronghold along with it, <i>Rajadhithar</i> wished to do something similar and win a glorious name for himself. To amass an army for invasion is no mean feat. It took <i>Narasimha Pallavar</i> seven long years to build an army and hoard the supplies needed for the same but <i>Rajadhithar</i> accomplished it within four years. He built an army, trained them in the art of war and established barracks for them here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Adhitha</i>! You were not fortunate enough to see the sights that I had seen when Prince <i>Rajadhithan</i> had camped here. Those of us, who saw it, will never forget it. <i>Rajadhithar</i> stayed at <i>Thirukovaloor</i> with 30,000 soldiers and the Chera King <i>Vellan Kumaran</i> came there with 20,000 soldiers. Your grandfather <i>Aringzhan</i> was also with me at <i>Thiruvkovaloor </i>and he was helping me train 50,000 soldiers. Many noble clans including <i>Kodumbaloor Vellar</i>, <i>Kadambur Sambuverayar</i> and these pesky <i>Pazhuvetrayars</i> too had come and camped near the banks of this river. The Prince used to organize mock battles among us to train the soldiers. Elephants, horses and foot soldiers bearing blunt weapons would test their battle readiness in many games. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The people <i>Thirumunaipadi </i>were very good. They hosted a vast garrison of soldiers in their midst and yet didn’t complain. Farmers hereabouts couldn’t sow grains and harvest their fields because of the war preparation yet they didn’t complain and rendered all help that was possible to the army. The Prince felt indebted to them and that’s why he commissioned his soldiers to help them by building many dams and reservoirs to help them. The dam that he built at <i>Veeranarayanapuram</i> is a fine example of how much he cared for the people. <i>Kadambur Sambuvereyan</i> too benefited a lot from that dam. I have seen him bowing low and eloquently thanking the Prince for his great work. Look at him today… his rise to power has been swift indeed.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax5CQ4YNfW4/WIyIdSEn8HI/AAAAAAAAGUo/KaH-u2LBULMLCoSU3HCdjfKkXu7Jtt1-wCLcB/s1600/veeranam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax5CQ4YNfW4/WIyIdSEn8HI/AAAAAAAAGUo/KaH-u2LBULMLCoSU3HCdjfKkXu7Jtt1-wCLcB/s320/veeranam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Adithya Karikalan</i> then interjected and said, “<i class="">Thatha</i>! Who cares about Sambuvereyan and his power? Tell me about the <i>Thakollam</i> war. When did the army leave these banks? Despite the many preparations and training that was given to our soldiers, how did we lose this war? How did we lose Prince Rajadhithan? You fought along with them, didn’t you? Only you can tell me what happened there.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Yes. I will tell you about it.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iC2t16GblVs/WIyIjs6ElYI/AAAAAAAAGUw/rDGmBzhVSIodNYUfyOkCwmw5OB3dqaasgCLcB/s1600/Ganga_king_thakollam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iC2t16GblVs/WIyIjs6ElYI/AAAAAAAAGUw/rDGmBzhVSIodNYUfyOkCwmw5OB3dqaasgCLcB/s320/Ganga_king_thakollam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Rajadhithar had gathered vast armies here to invade the north but due to various reasons, he couldn’t start the invasion. A war erupted again in Elangai and the Prince had to send one portion of his army there. The Emperor didn’t allow the army to proceed towards the north, especially when <i>Elangai </i>was up in arms again. He didn’t want his army generals and commanders to march up north to invade when one part of his kingdom was in trouble. He asked the Prince to wait until the war in <i>Elangai </i>had a successful conclusion before starting on the invasion plans. The Prince acceded to his father’s wise request and waited patiently. In the meanwhile, the <i>Erattai Mandalam</i> King <i>Kannara Devan</i> too was gathering an army to counter the massive forces that <i>Rajadhithar</i> had amassed. When the Ganga King <i>Boothakan</i> joined his forces with <i>Kannara Devan</i>, they started proceeding towards our Kingdom. Their armies came towards us like a sea that has broken bounds to engulf the land. Our spies came rushing to us with much and more information about the army that was coming towards us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the Emperor was unfazed by the approaching danger. He felt that it was a good thing that the enemy was marching towards us. His reasoning was sound. Instead of us marching towards the enemy kingdom along with fatigued soldiers and burdened with food and water supplies, wouldn’t it be better for us to wait for the enemy to come to us where we can have the upper hand? It was only after the enemy forces came near <i>Venkatam</i> that the Emperor ordered our army to start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the Prince didn’t wait for the Emperor’s approval. He led his army to meet the invading enemy with three lakh foot soldiers, 50,000 horse soldiers, 16,000 war elephants, two thousand chariot warriors, 350 generals and 32 kings. I was fortunate to be one among the kings who was led by this prince but I was also unfortunate to be one among the survivors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After marching for three days, we met the enemy forces at <i>Thakollam</i>. In myths and legends, we have heard of great wars that have been fought between <i>Indra</i> and <i>Virata</i>. Who can forget the Great War that <i>Rama</i> and <i>Ravana</i> fought on the last day? And <i>Mahabharata</i> is full of such battles and wars between the <i>Pandavas</i> and the <i>Kauravas</i>. After seeing the gory battle that happened in <i>Thakkollam</i>, I don’t have to imagine how these legendary battles might have been fought. The enemy forces had twice the size of our army. They had five lakh foot soldiers and 30,000 war elephants but we faced them undaunted because we had a huge advantage that none of their superior numbers could match. We had Prince <i>Rajadhithar</i> and that made all the difference. That’s why the Goddess of war favoured us right from the beginning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For ten days, the war went on. It was impossible to count the dead on both the sides. I can still see the pile of dead elephants looking like a small mountain in the battlefield. Though both the sides suffered huge losses, the enemy forces had weakened to a larger degree. They were in awe of Prince <i>Rajadhithar’s</i> skill in battle and war tactics and knew that until he led our forces, a <i>Chola</i> victory was imminent. Whenever our soldiers became exhausted, he would take his elephant there and when they saw the Prince, their exhaustion vanished and they fought with great vigour. Our enemies noted all this and soon they knew that unless they brought down the Prince, they stood no chance. They came up with a treacherous plan of which we were totally unaware. It was the <i>Ganga</i> King who planned and executed it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the thick of the battle, <i>Ganga King Boodhakan</i> approached Prince <i>Rajadhithan </i>screaming for mercy and with a hoisted peace flag on his elephant. The Prince who first thought that it was the <i>Eratai Mandala</i> King who was calling for the peace, allowed this swine to approach him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i class="">Boothakan</i> came near <i>Rajathidhan</i> with his eyes streaming with tears and his hands folded in salutation and his head bowed low. The Prince felt sorry for the king so he coaxed his elephant to go near his. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wish that the Prince had remembered wise <i>Valluvar’s</i> words about the enemy who approaches with devious tears. But <i>Rajadhithar </i>had no such misgivings. He genuinely felt sorry for the king. When he neared the king, he asked him, ‘What news do you bear?’ and the Ganga King’s answer made the Prince squirm with revulsion. He said that since the armies of <i>Erratai Mandalam</i> were poised to be defeated, he wished to defect from the losing side and enter an alliance with the winning side. The Prince cursed the Ganga King’s decision with many harsh words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He told <i>Boothakan</i> that he would never allow a cowardly worm like him to fight along with their brave forces and advised him to leave the battlefield along with his army. That’s when he did the unthinkable. He took the bow and arrow that he had readied way before the parley and shot a poisoned arrow at the Prince. The Prince fell down and confusion and chaos reigned for a while. No one around knew what exactly happened though most of them could hear the Prince asking the <i>Ganga</i> King to leave. Immediately after the Prince fell, the <i>Ganga</i> King too turned his elephant and fled the scene.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Prince Rajadhithar</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our army became disorganised after the fall of <i>Rajadhithar</i>. Commanders and Generals started fleeing with their battalions. I too was among the many Kings who fled the battlefield that day. And the enemy forces drove us like cattle herds as we tried to flee for our life. It was only after we came to this <i>Kedilam</i> River that we regained our senses. We took a stand again and stopped the enemy forces from advancing. I went to my mountain fort and brought a fresh army to attack the enemy. Many of their armies scattered and had captured many parts of these regions. It took me few years to get rid of them in the hereabouts. They still held the city of Kanchi and it was only three years ago, that you threw them out and captured it back.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Adithya Karikalan</i> interjected again and said, “<i class="">Thatha</i>, you have narrated this tale many times, yet I can’t help wanting to hear it again and again.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Child! <i>Rajadhithar</i> wanted to expand the <i>Chola</i> Kingdom all the way from <i>Elangai </i>to <i>Ganga</i> River but he died without fulfilling that dream. People say that you are the very embodiment of bravery, just like him and that only you have the capacity to fulfil <i>Rajadhithar’s</i> dream but I fear that you too might fall for treason. That’s why I narrated this sad tale of this brave Prince.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“<i>Thatha</i>! My grandfather died in war because of the enemy’s treasonous plans. Why would you remind me that now of all times? I am not going to a war. I am going to meet my father’s noble friends. Why would they harm me in any way?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“<i>Karikala</i>! You should never fear the enemy who stands before you with his sword unsheathed but it is the friends who extend one hand in greeting while hiding a sword in his back that you should fear. You are going amidst friends who are in truth your enemies. They are calling you there with many false reasons saying that they wish to stop a civil war in the Kingdom. They want to foist one of <i>Sambuverayar’s </i>daughter on your head but I still can’t fathom the real reason as to why you were invited there. Noble families and Kings will fall over their feet to give their daughters’ hand in marriage to you and you really don’t need to marry this girl anyway. I also heard that they wish to divide the kingdom and give one-half to you and the other half to your uncle. But something doesn’t seem right here and I fear there is some treason at work. That’s why I am going to <i>Thirukovallur </i>to bring my army. I will garrison it near the banks of <i>Kollidam</i>. While you are at <i>Kadambur</i> Palace, if you scent even a hint of danger, I want you to send word to me.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It took some while for the old man to see that the Prince was not paying any attention to his words. He was instead looking at something and pointed it to his grandfather, “<i>Thatha</i>! Look at that.”</span><br />
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-80284571715279118112017-01-15T17:50:00.005-08:002017-01-15T17:50:50.730-08:00Chapter 1 – Banks of Kedilam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kedilam is one of the rivers that made the Kingdom of Thirumunaipadi fertile and green. Along the banks of this river is a Shiva Temple much celebrated by Appar Perumal. Further down this river is yet another temple of Lord Shiva where Sundaramurthy Nayar had composed many of his poems in Thirunuyavalur. Situated betwixt these two places lay the king’s road that led one from Thondai Mandalam to the Chola Kingdom. The banks of Kedilam were always busy thanks to the many pilgrims who bathed in the river before visiting the temples. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That year in the month of Aipasi (October to November) there were many people gathered near the banks of the river and the flow of the water too was very high. Drowning the sounds that these pilgrims made, yet another noise was heard on the King’s road. Startled by the noise, many went up trees to see what was happening. At first, they could only see the dust of the road rising up and soon they could see an entourage of elephants, horses, royal chariots and palanquins, royal heralds, flag holders, drum beaters marched at the head of the procession.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The clear voice of the herald soon cleared the people’s doubt about who was approaching. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A Warrior born and bred on the battlefield! A Prince who became a seasoned warrior at the tender age of 12 years! The lion from whose shadow the Rashtrakutas flee! Noble Lord of Erattai Mandalam! The Crown Prince of Chola Empire! The Eldest Son of Emperor Sundara Chola! Prince Aditya Karikalar arrives!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thunderous voice of the herald caused a busy flurry of activity at the banks of the river. Those who were half way across the river came back to the banks to watch and cheer for the Prince. Those who were bathing hurriedly dried and dressed themselves to watch and gawk at the royalty who would soon arrive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the herald and the flag holders there came three warhorses bearing three warriors. Even when they were at a distance, people pointed towards and started talking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You see the one in the middle, that is Aditya Karikalar. Don’t you see the golden crown that he is wearing? See how it glows in the sun!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This crown is not as glorious as Karikala Valavan’s crown. You should see that. They say that it glows with the radiance of over thousands of suns.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The one that you are referring is not the crown of Karikala Valavan. Though they call it the same, for tradition’s sake, it was made during the time of Parthaka Chakravarthy. That’s the crown that was given to Sundara Cholar during his coronation. Though we don’t know how long he would wear it.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“People have been saying that for a very long time… but the Emperor is still lingering.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I hope that he does. So long as he is alive, there won’t be any confusion or chaos in the Kingdom.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That too is not certain. Ever since the news about Ponniyin Selvar came, the entire Kingdom is troubled. Who knows when there will be a civil war?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is going to fight whom?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They are expecting a fight to erupt between the Kodumbalur clan and the Pazhuvur clan. To avoid this, they have organised for peace talks at Kadambur Sambuverayar’s palace. Aditya Karikalar is also on his way there.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The horses are coming near, talk softly…”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the horses neared them by, they said, “Why is Prince Aditya Karikalar looking so grim and upset?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Isn’t it natural? His brother is lost in the sea and no one has any news about him. Everyone knows how much he loved his brother and his father has become invalid.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s not the reason why the Prince is looking grim. He is upset because his plans of invasion against the Eratai Mandalam have been foiled.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who foiled his plans?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who else but he Pazhuvur brothers. I heard that they refused to give the Prince the supplies that are needed for an invasion.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You people don’t know the real truth, that’s why you are carrying on with such lies. The real reason as to why the Prince is upset is not known to one and all…”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Really! So it is you who knows everything. Why don’t you tell us then?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have heard that the Prince was in love with some woman from the Pandya Kingdom. When the Prince was battling with the Pandya army, Periya Pazhuvetarayar swooped in and married that woman. Now she has become the Pazhuvur Queen and is literally ruling over the Kingdom. Ever since the Prince heard about this, I have heard that he has lost his mental balance.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s possible… Our elders say that women are the sole reason for most wars.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who are these elders who say such absurd things? This is sheer madness and I haven’t heard a more malicious lie than what you told. So what if the Prince had loved a woman? What possessed her to go and marry an old man instead? I can’t believe that people are peddling such lies…”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If that is so, then why the Prince still unmarried? Tell us if you know everything.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Be quiet! The horses are coming closer. The one on the right side of the Prince is Parthibendra Pallavan. Who is the warrior on the left? Is it Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No! No! It is Kadan Maran, noble Sambuverayar’s son. Instead of sending a message, Sambuverayar sent his son instead to invite the Prince to Kadambur Palace.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That itself shows that something important is going to be decided at Kadambur Palace.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They probably want to decide who would succeed the throne next. And until Karikalan is unmarried and single, all these noblemen will try to get him as their groom. He is the heir apparent and the crown prince after all. And the woman who marries him first will become the queen!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Such were the conversation and conjectures that the people debated upon. The three horses went all the way to the banks of the river and stopped. Aditya Karikalan got down and went towards the chariot that had followed them behind.</span></div>
Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-51642678127047997902017-01-06T18:22:00.001-08:002017-01-06T18:30:02.009-08:00Ponni’s Beloved – The Story so far…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly"; font-size: 12pt;">In the 10</span><sup style="font-family: Bookerly;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "bookerly"; font-size: 12pt;"> Century </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AD</span><span style="font-family: "bookerly"; font-size: 12pt;"> the glorious Cholas ruled over the land of Tamil Nadu with Emperor Sundara Chola on the throne. Sundara Chola was bedridden with paralysis and there was confusion all over the Kingdom about who would ascend the throne next. The Emperor had two sons and one daughter. The eldest Aditya Karikalan was anointed the Crown Prince of the Kingdom but his uncle Madhuranthakan (whose father ruled prior to Sundara Chola) also wished to ascend the throne as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">The story begins when Aditya Karikalan sent his trusted bodyguard and friend Vandiya Devan with two messages for his father, the Emperor and the other for his sister Princess Kundavai. Vandiya Devan learns at Kadambur that all the important noblemen of the court led by the Pazhuvur brothers are hatching a conspiracy to crown Prince Madhuranthakan as the next Emperor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">While on his journey, Vandiya Devan also meets a fat Vaishnavan Azhwarkadiyan Nambi (also known as Thirumalai) who wants to meet with Periya Pazhuvetarayar’s wife who was once his sister. Vandiya Devan uses his name to meet with Nandini and she gives him a signet ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Nambi in the meanwhile finds out that a gang of Pandya bodyguards is hatching a murderous plan to kill Prince Aditya Karikalan who had beheaded their King and they were being aided with gold right from the treasury of the Cholas by Nandini.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Vandiya Devan goes to Thanjavur and successfully delivers his messages to the King in private. Chinna Pazhuvetarayar suspects his intentions and tries to imprison him. He escapes from the soldiers and ends up in Nandini’s palace where she tries her best to allure him with her seductive beauty. He escapes from the fort through the underground passage and saves Kandan Maran’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">He meets Princess Kundavai with the help of Isana Shiva Battar and learns that she is the same woman whom he had fallen in love with at Kudanthai. She then sends a message to Arul Mozhi Varman, her younger brother who is warring in Elangai to come back as soon as possible and hands it over to Vandiya Devan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Vandiya Devan goes to Kodi Karai and with the help of Poonguzhali, the boat girl, he goes to Elangai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">In Kanchipuram, Aditya Karikalan’s grandsire advises him to bring his brother Arul Mozhi back from Elangai. His friend Parthibendran agrees to go to Elangai and before he left, Karikalan reveals how much he loved Nandini and how she had betrayed him by trying to save the life of Pandya King and then subsequently marrying the old man Periya Pazhuvetarayar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Kundavai arrives in Thanjavur and her father confesses to her that he had once loved a deaf and mute woman in Elangai who later committed suicide by jumping from the lighthouse. The emperor believes that he sees her ghost in the night but Kundavai suspects that Nandini is acting like her mother to learn the truth of her birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also learns that Nandini could be her own sister!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">In Elangai, Vandiya Devan meet with Nambi again and they both set out to meet Prince Arul Mozhi and they successfully give him the messages. They also meet a deaf and mute woman who loves the Prince as her own son and saves his life many times. Vandiya Devan is astonished by her resemblance to Nandini and suspects that she might be her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-k6trT3JWY/V2vxhJF-j8I/AAAAAAAAFcU/iMKVD0W1AoAjm-Xgwo4nitdOaH7m5H7TwCPcB/s1600/Arul-Mozhi-Dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-k6trT3JWY/V2vxhJF-j8I/AAAAAAAAFcU/iMKVD0W1AoAjm-Xgwo4nitdOaH7m5H7TwCPcB/s320/Arul-Mozhi-Dream.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">They also receive news that the Emperor has sent two ships to imprison the Prince on the charge that he tried to grab the throne of Elangai for his own from the boat girl Poonguzhali. The Prince leaves his companions and friends along with Poonguzhali to meet the ships. Vandiya Devan gets caught by a pirate ship and the Arabs imprison him. The Prince finds out that the ships that were to imprison him were destroyed by the Arabs. He sets out in Parthibendran’s ship to rescue Vandiya Devan. In the midst of a fierce storm Vandiya Devan kills the Arab pirates with the help of the Pandya gang who later abandon him alone in it. The Prince rescues him and later Poonguzhali rescues them both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">The Prince contracts shivering fever and is incoherent. Vandiya Devan and Poonguzhali take him along with Senthan Amuthan to Nagapattinam Choodamani Viharam to treat his fever. In the meanwhile, Periya Pazhuvetarayar and Nandini who are at Kodi Karai learn that the Prince is lost in sea. Parthibendran falls for the seductive allure of Nandini and is enamoured by her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Vandiya Devan travels to Pazhaiarai to give Kundavai the news that the Prince has arrive and is safe though the rest of the Kingdom thinks that he is dead. There are riots in Pazhaiarai when the news spreads. Kundavai meets with Vandiya Devan and then sends him to Kanchi with a message for her brother asking him not to meet with Nandini. Nandini had sent him a message with Kandan Maran asking him to meet at Kadambur and Kundavai feared that it was a trap to kill him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookerly";">Vandiya Devan and Nambi set out again to Kanchi. Kundavai meets Prince Arul Mozhi and asks him to wait in the Viharam for some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-62466591411824294862016-12-31T01:06:00.000-08:002016-12-31T01:06:00.692-08:00Chapter 46 – And Vanathi Laughed!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While the Prince and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> were speaking in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandi Mandapam</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Senthan Amuthan</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali </i>too were have a very serious conversation while they were waiting in the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! If I ask you something, will you tell the truth?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It is difficult for me to speak anything other than the truth <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>. That’s why I haven’t seen or spoken to anyone for the past four days!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There are some, who can’t speak the truth ever. Your friend <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i> is like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Still he is a good man. He never lies to cause harm to anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He told me something about you. I wish to know whether that is true or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There is no reason for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i> to lie about me. What did he tell you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He told me that you praised me a lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He told me that you love me very much and that you wished to wed me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Did he truly say that to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>. He did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will have to thank him, the next time I meet him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I don’t think I would have ever revealed what’s in my heart to you. Instead, he told you of my desires and laid my heart open to you. I am thankful to him for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then whatever he told me is true?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>. It is true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you love me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Can one reason with the heart? How can anyone tell why love happens?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Try. I am sure if you think carefully, you will know the reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“One can’t really know how affection, love and care are born in our heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Don’t people look at each other’s beauty and fall in love?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes they do. People look at each other’s beauty and fall in love, some fall in lust but that’s not true love and nor does it last. You spoke about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i> now, do you know he became friends with me, the minute we met and I dared <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur’s </i>underground prison just so that he can escape<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Pazhuvur </i>soldiers. Do you think he fell in love with my beauty and became my friend?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“But your friend waxed eloquent about my beauty and praised it to the sky?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes, he admired your beauty but didn’t fall in love with you. He described <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur </i>Queen’s beauty a hundred times over but didn’t fall in love with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know the reason for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s because he has lost his heart to Princess <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Don’t you agree then there is no connection between love and beauty?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you then mean to say that I am beautiful than Princess <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Have no doubts on that score <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>. You are indeed more beautiful than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>. Even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i> who everyone claims to be a seductress can’t possibly be more beautiful than you. It is this divine beauty of yours that is swaying my mind away from my Lord. Fear clouds my mind all the time when I think about you. Surely a beauty like you, cannot ever desire a man like me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Poonguzhali</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> looked thoughtful for a while and then said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! If I tell you that I do not love you, what would you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will wait for a while with patience and hope that you change your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How will it change?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Mind is a strange being. It changes all the time. Many people remain unaware of what they really want for a long time. That’s because things that they choose to believe, cloud their mind and reason. It is an illusion. When this illusion vanishes, the truth of what they want is laid bare.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright. You wait patiently for me to change my mind. But if my decision is final, what will you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then I will try to change my mind and my desires.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Would that be possible?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes if I try it would be possible. I will try to focus my attention on Lord Shiva instead and try to forget my heart’s desire. Our elders have done the same with great results, I will try to follow their example and try to forget you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! I don’t think your love for me is true by any measure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you think so? What do you think makes ‘true love’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If you had truly loved me, you would be angry enough to kill me just for rejecting you. And if you knew that my love and affections are forfeit to somebody else, you would be angry enough to kill that person too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>! My love for you is true, pure and honourable while the love that you describe is bestial and cruel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know not what is honourable or bestial. I know only of human nature. I believe that love should only give happiness and pleasure, not heart-wrenching sadness or sorrow. If we truly love someone but they do not reciprocate it, then it is but natural to hate them, isn’t it? Shouldn’t one avenge them for not accepting our love?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. It is not natural. It isn’t human nature. It is the nature of a demon to avenge one’s self. If we truly love someone we will cherish them and then their happiness will become ours. If they reject our love, it will be difficult to accept at first but even that hurt and sadness will fade when we see our loved one happy. Our happiness will multiply to see them happy rather than sad and miserable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What you describe is definitely not human nature and nor is it possible for men to act so nobly. Along with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i>, that physician’s son came to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodi Karai</i>. He fell in love with me the minute he saw me and desired to wed me. When I rejected him, he thought that I was in love with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan </i>and he became so angry with his so-called friend that he tried to betray him to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur</i> soldiers. I am sure he might have killed me too if he had the opportunity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If that is so then he is not a human being. He must be a demon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There do you see that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodumbalur </i>Princess? It is obvious that she has lost her heart to the Prince. If the Prince rejects her, won’t she try to poison him? And if she learns that the Prince desires some other woman, wouldn’t she try to kill her too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Never <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>! Gentle <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> would never do anything like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Maybe you are right. But if I was in her place, I would do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will pray to God so that he forgives you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who is this God who thinks he is great enough to forgive me? It is ‘I’ who should forgive the God instead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“God will forgive even these blasphemous words.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Amudha</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">! You are truly a good man. You are more like our older aunt in character.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What is this you are saying suddenly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You know our aunt, the one that our family claims to have died long back?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who? My mother’s twin sister?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. She is not dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have heard rumours about her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“She is roaming through the forests of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i> like a mad woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“A family curse! What can anybody do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Her plight today is not only because of the family curse. A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chola</i> Prince’s deceit and rejection, is the sole reason for her madness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“When our aunt was young, she lived in an island, near <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i>. A young Prince, who got marooned there, told her that he loved her. She believed his words but he rejected her once he became the King.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How do you know all this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I spoke to my aunt with the help of sign language. That’s how I learned all this. There is more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>. Some time ago, I happened to meet many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pandya </i>soldiers who wanted to seek vengeance against the Cholas. I was itching to join them. I wanted to avenge my aunt and bring down the King who rejected her love and drove her to madness. But my aunt didn’t seek vengeance. There is no room for hatred or revenge in her heart. She had not only forgiven the man who had wronged her but had also saved his son’s life countless times in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i>. The love that you describe is what I have seen in her. But I am not my aunt and nor will I ever be like her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then what will you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If any Prince rejects me and my love, then I will turn against him and murder him. I will also murder the woman for whom he has rejected me. And then I will kill myself and die happily.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My God! Why are you talking thus?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Amudha</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">! You know not the torment that I have been undergoing for the past two years, that’s why you are giving me all this Godly advice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why can’t you be more like our aunt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not my aunt and this is my affair and I choose to conduct it in whatever way I think is appropriate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What are you saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! If you take some of my blood and some of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi’s</i> blood, would there be any difference?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There won’t be any difference?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is she superior than me in any way? In beauty, brains or in talent?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No, she isn’t. You were born in the sea while she is palace born and bred. You will kill a wild animal and will not blink an eye. You will ply a boat in storms and save those who are lost in the sea. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> will be terrified of waves even while standing on the shores. Even a bold tomcat can scare her to bits and if she hears some unfortunate news, she would swoon away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then why does <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> have such a low opinion about me while she pours out all her love on that meek girl?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>! You are being unfair to Princess <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi </i>has been her companion and friend for many years now while she has met you only now. Didn’t she express her heart-felt gratitude for saving the Prince’s life?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ah! Who wants the gratitude of that Princess? She can keep it with her. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! When the Prince returns, please ply the boat alone. I might just capsize the boat if I take on the oars. I am that angry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You won’t do that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i>! What has the Prince ever done to you that you would try to something like that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amudha</i>! My mind is not under my control. I can only think of the wrong that his father did to our aunt. What if I lose my mind and try to avenge her by killing the Prince? It would be best if you row the boat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright! I will take the Prince back to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viharam</i>. What will you do in the meanwhile?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will follow that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> and throw a stone on her blessed head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying thus, she took a rock that lay on the bed of the bank. At the same moment from among the grove of coconut trees, a well-built bull came out and walked towards the bank with a languorous gait. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i> threw the rock on the bull instead and it immediately turned and started racing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayyo</i>! What have you done? Why did you throw the stone on the bull?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So what! Poor animal. It can’t defend itself and you are throwing stones at it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know a woman who was born in my family as deaf and mute. She too couldn’t defend herself and a Prince wronged her for life. What do you think she should do instead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So you are throwing a stone on this bull so that you can avenge our aunt. Your logic makes perfect sense indeed!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“This bull isn’t all that defenceless. Doesn’t it have sharp horns? What did my aunt have? She couldn’t do anything but become mad and roam through the forests. If any Prince dared to wrong me like that I will make his life miserable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Of course you will. You will throw a stone at a bull. That too while sitting safely in a boat in the middle of the canal! The bull can’t come and attack you here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Let it go and gore anyone to death, for all I care.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6n_yzQPL8s/WGdwlAcDZkI/AAAAAAAAGRY/_rD37-iTGF8OQ8cZmQN_m6C5sfKvMfx1ACEw/s1600/vanathi_runs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6n_yzQPL8s/WGdwlAcDZkI/AAAAAAAAGRY/_rD37-iTGF8OQ8cZmQN_m6C5sfKvMfx1ACEw/s320/vanathi_runs.jpg" width="81" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Of course. Just as you showed your anger on a poor defenceless animal, you wouldn’t care would you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The bull didn’t hear any of this conversation but it did exactly what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i> had predicted (or rather wished for). It couldn’t get near the boat from where the stone was thrown so instead it raced through the coconut grove. At that moment, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> who was walking towards the palanquin that was waiting with their entourage encountered the bull. First, when she saw the racing bull, she felt exhilarated but as it neared her with its head bowed and its gleaming horns poised to attack, she panicked. She started running toward the banks of the canal. There was no place to run but to the edge of canal bank – a small cliff overlooking the canal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s when she shouted, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayyo! Ayyo! Akka! Akka!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mF5EGJem-og/WGdwYyT2zsI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/NUKP7zQ6X4wMCLMdKdD0YHdVuTtCA1UfgCEw/s1600/kundavai_scared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mF5EGJem-og/WGdwYyT2zsI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/NUKP7zQ6X4wMCLMdKdD0YHdVuTtCA1UfgCEw/s320/kundavai_scared.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arul Mozhi</i> startled and looked for Vanathi. They spotted her on top of the bank looking at something with a horrified expression. It was soon apparent as to what had terrified her so, because they could see the bull that was racing through her. The Prince immediately ran towards the canal bank and caught her as she fell down the cliff.</span></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14pt;"> who was at first terrified for her friend was happy to see her brother come towards her bearing her in his arms.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Here is your friend. Take her. I know not how this girl was born in the brave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Velir</i> clan of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodumbalur</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thambi</i>! How could you do this? How can you touch a maiden like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45kyB4b3x7g/WGdv_nMah6I/AAAAAAAAGRI/hLmbFTzzA8ICokr7VXTUZ_ZEHIdi44A5QCEw/s1600/AM_fears_for_vanathi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45kyB4b3x7g/WGdv_nMah6I/AAAAAAAAGRI/hLmbFTzzA8ICokr7VXTUZ_ZEHIdi44A5QCEw/s320/AM_fears_for_vanathi.jpg" width="136" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Now is that a crime? What should I have done then? Watch her fall headlong into the canal? Thank God! She didn’t know that I caught her. She must have swooned before she fell into my hands. Here, take her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> laughed gaily and jumped out of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arul Varma’s</i> hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Sneaky girl! You were conscious all this while.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ask her why she pretended to be unconscious, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I didn’t pretend or anything. I felt shy when he caught me, so I closed my eyes that’s all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Now how would I know that? Your friend has the habit of fainting away all the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will never faint again and even if I did, it won’t be anywhere near him. I just hope he remembers the help that I rendered him today and stays grateful to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What? What? Is she really saying that she helped me today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> looked at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> and asked, “What are you saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>? Are you saying that you are grateful to him for saving you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i>, it was ‘I’ who helped him today so he should be grateful to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So ‘I’ have to be grateful to ‘her’ for saving ‘her’ from falling headlong into the canal. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>, is your friend of sound mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am of sound mind thank you. Let me explain <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i>. When your brother was young, he fell into the river and a woman came to his rescue. And a few days ago, when he was lost in the sea, again a woman came to his rescue. Your brother has gotten into the habit of being rescued by woman all the time. Thanks to me, at least he can now claim that he happened to rescue a woman who was about to fall into the canal. That’s why he should thank me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying thus, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> laughed gaily and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> and the Prince joined her. Hearing them laugh, on the other end of the canal, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Senthan Amuthan</i> looked in their direction. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amutha</i>! Why are these people laughing like this?” said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali </i>and laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With the coconut groove and the banks of the canal echoing with the laughter, the bull too threw its head out and let out a grunt.</span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-86210163390641447772016-12-29T18:10:00.002-08:002016-12-30T07:12:29.749-08:00Chapter 45 – Vanathi in Danger!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span><i style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14pt;">Akka</i><span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14pt;">! Do you remember how I almost drowned when I was five years of age? Do you remember how Kaveri Amman rescued me and took me back to the boat?”</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQK4TpdSMY/VM0XR1Z2zTI/AAAAAAAAB4I/68RKjVtAztwm0kzdCLznJHBwcHVlv0JLgCPcB/s1600/ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQK4TpdSMY/VM0XR1Z2zTI/AAAAAAAAB4I/68RKjVtAztwm0kzdCLznJHBwcHVlv0JLgCPcB/s320/ps.jpg" width="283" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How can you ask me this question <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thambi</i>? How can I forget that? Don’t we call you ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ponniyin Selvan’</i> because of that incident?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I met the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i>’ who saved my life in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i>… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i> why are you silent? Aren’t you surprised?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not surprised nor am I shocked but I do have an ardent interest to learn more about her. Tell me everything you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It is difficult. There is so much tell… a day wouldn’t be enough for sure. She saved my life all those years ago and that’s not all, in Elangai she has saved my life countless times. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! I am not beholden to her just for saving my life… it’s the great affection that she bears for me that has me enslaved. There is no substitute for that kind of love… why even the love that you bear for me would be secondary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You don’t have to hesitate to tell me that. I would be the first to admit that my love for you isn’t pure. It comes along with many strings, desires, ambitions and dreams that I hope to fulfil through you. Let me be frank with you. My life is tied to this Kingdom and anyone who would be instrumental in making this land ‘great’ will find a place in my heart. I love you all the more because I believe that under your rule, this beautiful kingdom would flourish. But if you or anyone would strive to crush this dream of mine, I might turn against them too. But the love of this deaf and mute woman has no such selfish motives. She showers on you the love that she bore for our father, twenty years ago. There cannot be any comparison for love such as that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“When did you learn this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What are you referring to?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That she is our step mother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I guessed it from what father told me and later from Vandiya Devar too. Does she think you are her own son or another woman’s son?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Neither she and nor I have entertained such thoughts ever. Why do you differentiate thus?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Our mother became the queen of this kingdom in her stead and despite knowing that she showers you with love and affection… you who is the son of her rival. Isn’t that special?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am sure she knows that I am not her son. If not anything else, the difference in our ages is quite obvious. She can’t talk... can’t express anything. She draws pictures and whatever we can understand from that is what we can learn from her. Apart from the love that she bears me… if you but knew that extent of love that she bears for our father, it breaks my heart to pieces. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Did father look exactly like me when he was my age?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No! Father was as handsome of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Manmathan</i> when he was your age. Our clan was well known for bravery and glorious deeds in war but not for beauty. Our grandfather, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aringhzha Chola</i> married <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kalyani Devi</i> who belonged to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vaithumbaraya</i> clan after being enamoured by her beauty. I have heard that when they married, her complexion was that of gold and her beauty could only be compared to that of a full moon. Even today, after so many years, she still looks beautiful and that’s how our father ended up being the most handsome king in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chola</i> dynasty, so much so that his own given name ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Paranthakan</i>’ is rarely used. Our brother, you and I have taken after our mother in appearance. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thirukovalur </i>clan hates beauty in any form and they believe that bravery and beauty can’t go hand in hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know not whether bravery and beauty can go hand in hand but I do know one thing for sure, there is no connection between affection and beauty. Otherwise…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Otherwise why is this girl <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> looking at you without blinking her eyes? Why are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Senthan Amuthan</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i> looking at you from over the boat?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince smiled at her and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! You have strayed away from the subject of our conversation. I was talking about the love that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i> bore for me. Leave that aside… do you think it’s possible for one person to look exactly like another?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why not? If they are twins by birth, it is very much possible. Mother and daughter can look the same when they are of the same age. That apart there has been many instances where two people who are not related by birth to look the same. It is one of the mysteries of nature.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am wondering whether <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur</i> queen and our stepmother can resemble each other as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devar</i> claims. I have seen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i> when she was very young. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet her properly after she became <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvetrayar’s</i> wife. What do you think?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have met <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini </i>but I haven’t seen our stepmother but I believe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devar</i> because what he told me also matches with what our father related about his past.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Father spoke to you? When?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Few days ago, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> and I went to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> and that’s when he narrated many of the past events that had happened when he was of your age. He told me how he was marooned at an island near <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i> and how he met a deaf and mute girl and their love for each other. He was found and brought back to the Kingdom by one of the searching party that his grandfather had sent out for him. The day he was anointed as the crown prince of the Kingdom, he saw her in the crowd that was standing outside the palace. She vanished soon after that and he sent Prime Minister <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anirudhar </i>to find her but he learned that she had fallen to her death from the lighthouse of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodi Karai</i>. Her death had a dreadful impact on him and ever since, the guilt is eating through him. He is reliving her death with every breath that he takes and it has taken a serious toll on his health. He believes that she has died because of him. Leave aside our dreams, ambitions and aspiration for our clan and dynasty… our first duty is to our father. We should find relief for the torment he suffers everyday. You will need to somehow bring <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i> here and we need to prove to our father that she is well and alive and by no means dead. Unless we do this, he will not know peace neither in this life or the next.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6L0ORPk-FU/VJeLDRs-5hI/AAAAAAAAB0w/yitmzs61JRAAt621vRok_OGkmAnv2d-_ACPcB/s1600/oomai%2Brani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6L0ORPk-FU/VJeLDRs-5hI/AAAAAAAAB0w/yitmzs61JRAAt621vRok_OGkmAnv2d-_ACPcB/s320/oomai%2Brani.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Off late, I have been at the death’s door many times and each time I had only one regret about my life… that I am dying without uniting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i> with my father. Whenever I think about her, my heart bursts with sorrow. Those with the gift of speech can speak and express themselves and those who can hear can at least listen to words of solace that others will give you but she can do neither. Just imagine her plight! All these years, she has buried, love, affection, sorrows and regrets deep within her heart… I am not surprised that she is roaming through the jungles of Elangai like a mad woman. I do wish to reunite her with our father, but do you think he would want that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Whether he wishes it or not, I believe it is our duty to bring her to him. Do you know that for the past 20 years he believes that he is seeing the ghost of this woman, wanting to avenge for him for her death. It is this guilt, fear and shame that torment him day and night. That’s why his health is not improving by any measure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How did you know this? Did father tell you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes father told me… and so did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>… What’s this got to do with her? Did you tell about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No I didn’t. I will let her tell you everything that happened one night when we were in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i>. I think you are being very rude and ungracious. You haven’t spoken a word to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodumbalur</i> Princess and nor have you enquired after her health? Is this the way you would greet the daughter of noble <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Siriya Vellar</i> who gave up his life for the glory of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cholas</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Why should I enquire after her specially when you are looking after her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is that so? Now keep that mouth of yours shut and be gracious. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>! Come here my sweet… the Prince wishes to greet you properly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> came near them but didn’t look at the Prince. Instead, she looked at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>, why do you speak such lies? Your brother doesn’t wish to meet me his gaze is on the boat at all times. It is obvious that he wishes to go back .” Obviously, she meant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali</i> when she spoke about the boat!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince laughed out aloud and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Your friend can speak! And here I was wondering whether she too is deaf and mute among the others in our family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! I do become mute when I am in his presence. Sometimes I wonder whether I have really been struck mute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s good I say! In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodi Karai</i> there is this man, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poonguzhali’s </i>brother. With others, he manages to speak somewhat but when he is in the presence of his wife, he becomes mute. Therefore his family calls him ‘mute’ despite the contrary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“This Princess too is like that. When she first came to us, she used to chatter constantly but ever since you went to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i> the first time, she has changed completely. She doesn’t talk to anyone and strays away alone to daydream. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>! I want you to tell the Prince about what happened that night at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> palace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Let the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kodumbalur</i> Princess sit and narrate her story. If her uncle sees her standing for so long, he would get worried for her health. When I was in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i>, he used to enquire about her health whenever he happened to meet me. You never used to send me any message about her and I used to wonder what I could tell him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I had sent a message with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devar</i>, didn’t he give it to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He would have given the message, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i> but your brother might not paid any heed to it. He must have been too busy thinking about other things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTkmSdhVG9o/VM0W59OzzUI/AAAAAAAAB34/JtRoCWKHh40X0NdXMzkzBZoFDSpYjHGHgCPcB/s1600/Nandini%2Btormenting%2Bsundara%2Bchoala.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTkmSdhVG9o/VM0W59OzzUI/AAAAAAAAB34/JtRoCWKHh40X0NdXMzkzBZoFDSpYjHGHgCPcB/s1600/Nandini%2Btormenting%2Bsundara%2Bchoala.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s very true. After seeing your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Olai</i>, I have been very preoccupied indeed. I feel as if this fever has affected my ears as well, ask your friend to speak a bit louder.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai’s</i> skilful coaxing, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> narrated all that had happened that night when she had tried to find her way to the palace terrace and the King’s wails. She also described whom she saw at the King’s chambers that night when she overlooked the room from the balcony. Many a time, she would glance up and meet the Prince’s eyes and would forget what she had been saying. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> would then prompt and remind her to finish her tale much to the enjoyment of the Prince.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince listened to her with avid interest and then finally said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! Your friend has forgotten one important thing. After seeing and hearing all these things, I am sure she must have swooned!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanathi</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> bent her head shyly while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kundavai</i> and the Prince laughed out aloud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> then told her, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i>! Why don’t you roam around the banks of the canal? Or if you want, you can go and wait with our entourage in the palanquin. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arul Varman</i> will be here for a few days, we will meet again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i>! I will roam around the banks and wait for you.” Said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi </i>and left with an enthusiastic gait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Arul Varman</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> waited until she left and then turned towards his sister, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>, I can understand the reason behind father’s wails but what do you think about what he saw in his room? If whatever he saw was his own vision born of guilt then how could your friend see it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Our father didn’t see a vision and nor did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanathi</i> imagine things. Whatever happened that night was a midnight drama enacted by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur</i> Queen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini Devi</i>. I guessed the truth even then and now I know for sure why she must have done, thanks to you and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devar</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What was the purpose of this drama? What did she hope to learn?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i> has always been suspicious about the secret of her birth. She also knows that the Emperor had swooned the first time he time he saw her. After that incident, she never graced his presence publicly but she must have been curious and wanted to glean as much truth of as possible from him. By enacting this sort of drama, she hoped to learn the truth from him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you think she has learned the truth?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know not, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arul Varma</i>. Not even the Lord <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brahma</i> can hope to understand what lies beneath her heart. When I think about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Periya Pazhuvetarayar’s </i>plight in her hands, I feel sorry for him. We spoke about beauty, a few moments ago. If you were to ask who is the most beautiful woman among all, then I would name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i>. We can’t compete nor compare with her beauty. Hers is a kind of beauty that enslaves men and makes them her devoted slaves for life. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvetarayar, Thirumalaiappan, Kandanmaran</i> and now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parthibendran</i>… Our Prime Minister is scared to go near her, lest she enslaves him. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aditya Karikalan</i> doesn’t come to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> for the same reason. There was only one man who has braved her mesmerizing beauty and is not affected by it…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are talking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i>, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. Him. That’s why I have sent him to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kanchi</i>, to guard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aditya Karikalan</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur</i> Queen has issued an invitation to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Karikalan</i>, asking him to meet her at Kadambur Palace. I sent him there to stop him from going there and if that’s not possible then I have asked him not to allow them to meet alone. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Karikalan</i> doesn’t know that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini </i>is our sister and I do not know whether she knows this truth or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Are you sure about this, that she is our sister?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have no doubt about it. And ever since, I learnt it my heart has undergone a transformation. When we were young I hated her, I was jealous of her beauty. I planned and schemed to humiliate her, I tried my utmost for you and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kariklan </i>to hate her too. Even after she left to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pandya </i>Kingdom, my hate and envy for her remained the same. When she came to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> as the bride of the old man, I mocked her many times and have insulted her to the face. I have decided to atone for these sins…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“The next time I meet her, I am going to fall at her feet and beg her forgiveness and I will happily accept any punishment that she deems appropriate for my sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If you are planning to do any such thing, I will not allow you in her presence ever. There is no need for you to beg anybody’s forgiveness and there is no one in this world with power enough to punish you. You didn’t envy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini’s </i>beauty; it was she who was jealous of you. It was she who hated you with every breath that she took.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You told me that your heart is filled with sorrow for our stepmother who is roaming through the jungles of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i> but have you ever thought about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i> and what she has undergone in her life. When I think about her, my heart bleeds. She became the ultimate victim of other people’s blunders. My sister, who was born before me is now the wife of an old man…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>… Do you know anything about how all this happened? Why did our father think that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i> is dead? How did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini </i>end up in some priest’s house, brought up by strangers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BthayfnHTlQ/Vt5tqmjxOGI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/ERLzlVcx-54ahfcRJy_JeQzkmkQORWbUACPcB/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BthayfnHTlQ/Vt5tqmjxOGI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/ERLzlVcx-54ahfcRJy_JeQzkmkQORWbUACPcB/s320/pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have been thinking about this for a long time but I am able to guess very few details for sure. There are only two people who can shed some light on these secrets. Our grandmother <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sembiyanmadevi</i> must know these secrets and the second is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anirudhar</i>, who probably knows everything. I don’t think we can learn anything from these two people not unless they choose to reveal. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anirudhar’s</i> disciple <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thirumalai</i> must know everything as well, but he is more close-mouthed than his guru and will never reveal anything. But I don’t think it is important to know these secrets now. What we need to do right now is to ensure that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i> does not endanger her own family and clan with her schemes. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devar</i> told me that she has a sword in her possession that is engraved with the royal emblem of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pandyas</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- a fish. He told me that she worships that sword every day and is planning to use it to fulfil her oath. Ever since I heard that, fear and anxiety has filled my heart. I am terrified that she would seek vengeance on her own blood…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What if we tell the truth to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nandini</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I doubt if that would help. Her anger and wrath would surely increase but we need to do what is right and appropriate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You have sent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vandiya Devan</i> to guard our brother. That’s the right move but what about our father? Why should he drown in guilt? Shouldn’t we tell him everything? Shall we start for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> right away?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. I will leave for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> in two days but you need to stay at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Choodamani Viharam</i> for some more time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you say that? Do you want me to hide myself away just to escape from our father’s orders?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. If you come to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i>, the entire kingdom will be in turmoil. People are already furious with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pazhuvur</i> brothers and with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Madhuranthakan</i>. Some people are also angry with the Emperor for trying to imprison you. If the people come to know that you are well and alive, the tide of their emotions will turn and the outcome of it would be catastrophic for the Kingdom. They might demand that the Emperor abdicate the throne and crown you as the King immediately. They will lay siege to the palace and to the capital and make demands that can’t be fulfilled. I called you home from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elangai</i> to avert the many dangers that we are facing but now I wish you could go back there for the same reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not going anywhere, without meeting our father. If revealing myself to the public will cause problems, then I will go to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur</i> in disguise and meet him. I need to meet him somehow and tell him all about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kaveri Amman</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I can tell all this to our father… do you really have to come just for this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have seen her in flesh and if I tell him about her, he will believe me. I am sure. And when I meet him, I can seek his permission to bring her here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arul Varma</i>, I will not dissuade you if you feel that you need to meet him but stay at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viharam</i> for another week. I will go to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanjavur </i>and tell him that you are alive and well and then send word to you. I came here to meet you for one more purpose. I want you to grant me a boon. If you would but grant me this boon, I would never seek anything else from you, ever. You have courted great danger to your life in these few days and there is aught that I can do to help you. I want you to grant this request of mine before any other danger befalls you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why so formal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akka</i>? When have I refused any request from you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No you have never refused me that’s why I am asking this of you. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aditya Karikalan</i> didn’t marry and nor does it seem like he would. Our father’s line can continue only through you. That is my request to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If I agree to your request, will you allow me to wed a woman of my choice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you ask thus? For twenty years, our likes and dislikes have been the same. Why would it change now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akka</i>! The woman that I marry must stand by me and help me fulfil the dreams that I have.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thambi</i>! Truly! You wish to fulfil your dreams with the help of a woman?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the same moment, they heard Vanathi shout, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayyo! Ayyo! Akka!</i> Help me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-47913643700531489702016-12-24T19:22:00.001-08:002016-12-24T19:22:37.863-08:00Chapter 44 – And the Nandi Grew!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The boat sped through the narrow canal that had thick vegetation shielding them from prying eyes on both the sides of the bank. The place where <i>Poonguzhali </i>pointed out was an isolated corner with the statue of huge <i>Nandi</i> (the divine bull who guards Lord Shiva) that had obviously given the place its name ‘<i>Nandi Mandapam</i>’. The <i>Mandapam</i> was used by the <i>Shiva </i>Temple at <i>Nagapattinam</i> where once a year, Lord <i>Shiva</i> and his consort <i>Devi Parvathi</i> were brought there to give darshan to their devotees. During this annual festival, scores of people would visit the <i>Nandi Mandapam</i> and spend the entire day on the banks of the canal. Since it was near the outskirts of the town, not many people ventured out there on other days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CXg9_jPAYU/WF87cIjx3hI/AAAAAAAAGNg/1jBvzZfsv64slw6WQnOQdB8K6mFN9u2EgCLcB/s1600/Kundavai_Arul2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CXg9_jPAYU/WF87cIjx3hI/AAAAAAAAGNg/1jBvzZfsv64slw6WQnOQdB8K6mFN9u2EgCLcB/s320/Kundavai_Arul2.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As the boat neared the <i>mandapam</i>, the Prince saw the women who were waiting for him and after that, he didn’t look anywhere else. When the boat stopped near the banks of the mandapam, Princess <i>Kundavai</i>, came down the steps to receive her brother. <i>Vanathi</i> stood behind the pillar of the <i>mandapam</i>, watching him with anxious eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Senthan Amuthan</i> and <i>Kundavai</i>, helped the Prince to get down from the boat. After he got down, <i>Senthan Amuthan</i> and <i>Poonguzhali </i>took the boat around the <i>Mandapam</i> and waited for him to return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Thambi</i>! You have become so frail and lean!” cried <i>Kundavai</i> her voice was laced with sorrow while tears threatened to escape her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Ponniyin Selvan</i> said, “Forget about my health, why is your face so gaunt and drawn? Why are you looking so worried? I know that many things have occurred that has pained your heart, that’s why you sent me that <i>Olai </i>summoning me immediately back home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. There are many things for us to discuss and talk. Come here… the prince who refused the golden throne of <i>Elangai</i>, sit beside me on this stone seat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Ponniyin Selvan</i> bent down and sought the blessings of his sister instead. <i>Kundavai</i> lifted him up and breathed the scent of his hair, while tears streamed from her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After they sat, <i>Kundavai</i> said, “<i>Thambi</i>, I shouldn’t have summoned you here today. The head of C<i>hoodamani Viharam </i>told me that you have recovered from the shivering fever but I can see that you have not. I couldn’t sit quietly after I came here, I had to see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Akka</i>! Don’t fret. If you had not summoned me here and sent the boat, I might have started for <i>Pazhaiarai</i>. Even when I was suffering from the fever, all that I could think of was your message, asking me to return home. And the messenger, who brought your <i>Olai</i>, let me tell you, I haven’t seen a more valorous warrior than <i>Vandiya Devar</i>. I tested him in many ways but he passed them all… where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Kundavai’s</i> face lit up when the Prince spoke of <i>Vandiya Devan</i> and she smiled when she said, “<i>Thambi</i>! Don’t we have many other things to discuss? Why are you worried about him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you talk thus? Has he courted your displeasure in some way?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No! No! Why would I be displeased? He promised me to bring you back home and he kept it…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And the tricks that he employed to achieve his ends… My God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t describe them enough. Where is he <i>Akka</i>? When I heard that you have come here, I thought he would have escorted you? Instead, you brought this faint-hearted princess who swoons all the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Thambi</i>! You don’t know how brave my friend has become in the time you have been away. Yesterday, our Prime Minister’s elephant wrapped her in its trunk and threw her. She didn’t know that I would catch her atop the elephant. You should have seen how brave she was when she faced the Prime Minister…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Enough with your friend’s praise… give me news about my friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What’s there to tell about him? He has accomplished his mission successfully and has now gone back to our brother <i>Aditya Karikalan</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If that is so, then he has broken his word. He told me that he would not go back to <i>Kanchi</i> and that he would stay in the <i>Chola</i> Kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How is that possible? We who are living in the <i>Chola </i>Kingdom have no inkling of what our fate would be tomorrow? If you have so much love for him, then why don’t you speak to the Emperor and return his ancestral kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What will he do with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He will do whatever the rest of the noblemen in our father’s court do. You went ahead and rejected the throne of <i>Elangai</i>, do you think he too would reject it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince smiled at his sister and said, “<i>Akka</i>, I rejected the throne of <i>Elangai </i>in the presence of witnesses and despite that I was accused of treason and soldiers and ships were sent to imprison me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Thambi</i>! If you had accepted the throne, no one would have dared to imprison you. You would have been an independent king who is beholden to no one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you really think that I should have grabbed the throne, disrespecting the wishes of our father?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ponniyin Selva</i>! If you had accepted the throne of <i>Elangai</i>, our father would have been pleased. He would have divided the rest of the Kingdom between your brother and <i>Madhuranthakan</i> and would have achieved a measure of peace in his heart. Even now, efforts are being made to divide the kingdom. The north of <i>Kollidam</i> will be one-half of the Kingdom and south would be another. Father believes that if you come here, you would help with the division of land and wealth. Earlier when he had sent word, you didn’t heed them, that’s why he sent soldiers to imprison you this time. Father knows that you have refused the throne of <i>Elangai</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will never agree to divide the kingdom instead we can hand it over to our uncle intact.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If that is so, then you and the Prime Minister are of one mind in this matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. Prime Minister agrees with me on this. His journey to <i>Elangai</i> was for the sole purpose of discussing this with me. <i>Akka</i>! Shall I tell you the real reason why I rejected the throne of <i>Elangai</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who would you tell, if not me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. I have no one else to share my innermost thoughts with. When I first went to <i>Elangai</i>, I thought it was a land of great wonders but it was only after I went there that I learned that it was a very small kingdom. If you have a horse, you can travel from the west coast to the east of this kingdom within a single day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thambi! Is the <i>Chola </i>Kingdom that big? Can’t someone journey through our lands within one day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“The <i>Chola</i> Kingdom is also very small and if someone were to offer me the throne, I would refuse to accept it. I blame those who divided this divine <i>Tamizhnadu</i> as <i>Chola</i>, <i>Pandya </i>and <i>Chera</i> kingdom. That’s why no matter how many brave courageous kings are born in this land, they did not achieve any measure of greatness. At the same time, look at the northern land, which was united under the rule of great kings like <i>Chandragupta</i>, <i>Samudra Gupta</i>, <i>Harshavardanar</i>… they were able to unite many kingdoms under one umbrella. Is there any king or emperor in the South who was able to do that? Only two kings of note have appeared in our history, <i>Kanchi Pallava</i> kings, <i>Mahendra Varma</i> and <i>Narasimha Varma</i>. Now even that dynasty has but disappeared. <i>Akka</i>! If ever I rule any kingdom, I will not be happy with a small tiny kingdom. I would want to rule a kingdom that is vast and large all the way from <i>Elangai</i> to the <i>Ganga</i> River in the North. I would like to conquer all the lands and island kingdoms that lie past <i>Elangai</i> and hoist our tiger flag there. That’s the kingdom that I want to carve…. What are you looking at? Do you think I have become mad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No <i>Arul Varma</i>. I am happy that there is one more person just like me, who delights in building castles in the air. If you are mad, then I too am mad… and to a larger degree than you are. Do you know our grandfather King <i>Paranthakar </i>too had many dreams just like this? During his lifetime, none of these dreams came to pass, but I am convinced that I would see them become a reality during my lifetime. I know it in my bones that I would not die before seeing our kingdom spread out vast and large from <i>Elangai</i> to River <i>Ganga</i>. For a time, I had believed that our brother <i>Aditya Karikalan</i> would achieve this dream of mine, but now I have no such aspirations of him. <i>Aditya Karikalan</i> is a great warrior but he lacks self-control over his mind and heart. Such a person can never achieve great deeds but I still believe that you can fulfil my dreams. But if you too are unable to achieve this dream of mine, I will not be disappointed because I am sure your son would not fail me. I will cherish and nurture your son, as my own, right from the time he is born. I will shape him into a warrior that the world has never seen before and he will be the one who will fulfil all my dreams. I will tutor him and teach him about world politics and the art of ruling and he will be the greatest king that the world has ever seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Akka</i>! Now I am sure, you are indeed madder than I am. I have no intention of getting married and you are sitting here and talking about the son that would be born to me. If your companions are dreaming of marrying me and ruling the kingdom beside me as the queen, then please ask them to forget such futile dreams, as it will never come to pass. That’s my final word on the subject.” Said <i>Arul Mozhi Varmar</i> and for a second he glanced pointedly at <i>Vanathi </i>who was listening to their conversation from behind the pillar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next, he glanced at the <i>Nandi </i>statue and said, “I have some news for you <i>Akka</i>. Though <i>Elangai</i> is a very small kingdom, the kings who ruled it was indeed great. They planned great things and accomplished them. You should see the <i>Buddha</i> stupas that they have built there… it almost touches the clouds. They have built<i> Buddha Viharams </i>that had thousand or two thousand rooms! I have seen <i>mandapams </i>that were built with 11,000 pillars! They wanted the people to know the extent of <i>Buddha’s </i>greatness and they showed that with the sheer size of his statue. You know, I have seen statues that are as tall as that coconut tree over there. Just look at this <i>Nandi </i>statue… so small. In <i>Kailasham</i>, the hoards of Lord <i>Shiva</i> trouble him incessantly and it is <i>Nandi’s</i> duty to control them. Would anybody build the divine bull <i>Nandi </i>as a tiny puny statue? Look there, <i>Akka</i>! The <i>Nandi </i>is growing right in front of me and it is hitting the roof of the mandapam. The hoards of Lord <i>Shiva</i> stand puny in front of him, wanting to meet their divine lord. If <i>Nandi</i> is so huge, how large would the statue of Lord <i>Shiva </i>be indeed, I wonder? We might have to build a <i>mandapam</i> that would be called as Southern <i>Meru</i> and its gopuram will touch the very clouds. Today, in our kingdom, all the temples that have been built so far are just large enough for <i>Agastya Perumal</i>. Their stature does not match the greatness of Lord <i>Shiva </i>by any measure. I do not want to rule this Kingdom, however, whoever rules it, I would request them to make me responsible for temple renovation work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Thambi</i>! I think we need to have a contest as to who is indeed mad here. The kingdom is under a great threat thanks to the conspiracies of the noblemen who act as though they are our friends. And if they were not enough, we have people who are waiting for the right chance to start a civil war. I have been seeing a dreadful dream for many nights now. A murderous sword of glistening steel flashes like a lightening and I know not on whom, it will fall. Either it will claim the flesh of someone dear to us or it will shatter this kingdom into pieces. We need to work together and avert this danger somehow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes <i>Akka</i>, I was able to understand these dangers from what <i>Vandiya Devan</i> told me. You do know who poses the greatest danger to the Kingdom, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are referring to <i>Pazhvur </i>Queen <i>Nandini Devi</i>, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes <i>Akka</i>, I hope you do know who she really is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“From the details that <i>Vandiya Devan</i> told me, I was able to piece it together. That’s why I wanted to talk to you desperately.”</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-30224534659875018512016-12-18T20:42:00.001-08:002016-12-18T20:42:27.160-08:00Chapter 43 – Nandi Mandapam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Smw6f33lm0o/WFdlEkMGh-I/AAAAAAAAGLM/c5PV9zRJUUE6zJS3Cei1KgT0wOs9pLMugCLcB/s1600/nandimandapam2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Smw6f33lm0o/WFdlEkMGh-I/AAAAAAAAGLM/c5PV9zRJUUE6zJS3Cei1KgT0wOs9pLMugCLcB/s320/nandimandapam2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day, a younger Bikshu came to the Prince’s chamber. The Prince was awaiting the arrival of someone or anyone who could answer his questions but the Bikshu didn’t give him any answers. He listened to him patiently and said, “Ayya! Our Gurudeva will answer all your questions.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The old Bhikshu finally came to the chambers and asked, “Prince, How are you feeling now?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ayya! I am feeling so fine that my body is questioning my motives. It is asking, ‘why are you sitting quietly? Get up and run, mount a horse and race him or fight with an elephant! Don’t lie down like an invalid’. My appetite is voracious today. Whatever food the Bikshus gave me today, wasn’t enough by any measure. I can’t believe that I was unconscious and delirious with fever for three days! I feel as if I was never ill in the first place! Your medicines are very potent indeed!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Ayya! You shouldn’t listen to the dictates of your body now. After the fever subsides, it is but natural for you wish so, but if you do so your body will weaken and god forbid if the fever strikes again, your life will be in danger.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! I am not worried about the dangers that I face in life.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You are not worried indeed but lakhs and lakhs of people who live in your Kingdom are out of their mind worrying about you. People are shedding tears and praying against hope for a miracle that would rescue you.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ayya! I do not understand your meaning. Why are people so worried? Don’t they know that I am in excellent hands undergoing treatment here? Are they worried about my shivering fever?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My Prince! People don’t know that you were suffering from fever and nor do they know that you are living here. If they knew that, wouldn’t they assemble in front of the Viharam? I doubt if this Viharam can withstand such an assault! You should have seen the state of the people when the rumour spread that you were lost in the sea. Why… even I stood in front of the Viharam, mourning your death.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ponniyin Selvar sat up on the cot and said, “Gurudeva! I can’t understand what you are saying. Who brought this news to this town? When did it come? Who would spread such malicious lies?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Prince! I know not who brought the news but on that morning, everyone hereabouts had heard the rumour and was mourning your death. We heard that one of the ships that you were travelling was struck by lightening and had sunk and that you tried to save someone in that ship and were lost to the sea. We heard that Lord Treasurer Periya Pazhuvetarayar searched for you high and low along the coast and came back saying that you were lost to the sea. We at the Viharam too had heard this and were in deep mourning. That’s when one of my bhikkhus came to me with the news that someone had brought a patient in a boat through the canal that connects the Viharam. And that patient was you. Since then you have been here under my care.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! Do you know who brought me here?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A young man and a young woman.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes… I can remember them faintly. I thought it was all a dream. Do you know who they are? Is the young man Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No Ayya! He called himself Senthan Amuthan. He looked like an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. I didn’t learn the young woman’s name. She seemed robust and courageous.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can guess who that is. It must be the boat girl Poonguzhali, daughter of Tyaga Vida Karayar, the guardian of the lighthouse at Kodi Karai. Did they tell you why they brought me here?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No My Prince! I didn’t ask them about it.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you inform anyone about the fact that I am safe here?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No Ayya! The people who brought you here asked me not to inform anyone that you are safe here. When I saw your health condition, I too felt that it would be better not to inform anyone. You needed all the rest that you can get and if people knew that you were here, they would have razed the Viharam to the dust.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! Something is wrong. I came back from Elangai because my father, the Emperor had ordered me to be imprisoned for treason. On the way, many untoward incidents happened. I suspect that I have been brought here in secret just so that they can blame me later for not accepting my father’s commands. That’s why they have started these rumours that I am lost in the sea. Gurudeva! By giving me sanctuary here, you too have committed treason… I think you should send me away to Thanjavur immediately.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Prince! If by giving you sanctuary here, I have committed a royal treason, then I would happily accept any punishment for the same.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ayya! I am grateful for these kinds words, yet I am surprised that you accepted me under your care, without interrogating the people who brought me here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There was no need to ask anything of anyone, Prince. I am duty bound to serve all those who are sick, ill or maimed. Moreover, the last time I met your sister, Princess Kundavai had hinted that you might be staying here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is that so? Did my sister say that? When did she say this?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She said this, just a few days before you came to this. And the young man who brought you said the same.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! That young man and woman, did they leave immediately after they left me here? Is there any way I can meet them? I wish to speak to them.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ayya! Don’t be impatient. Both of them are staying in this town and they come here every day to know the state of your health. Though, I don’t know why they haven’t come here still…”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right at that moment, a young Bikshu came inside with a message for the old Bhikshu. The old Bhikshu nodded his head and said, “I will come there.” and exited the room. The Prince waited impatiently until the old Bhikshu came back in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! I do not wish to stay here, any longer. I don’t want to be known as the Prince who tried to escape his father’s commands. I don’t want any harm to befall this Viharam just because I have been given sanctuary here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bhikshu acceded to the Prince’s request and said, “In truth, we too do not wish to take on that responsibility and nor do we wish to stop you from leaving. You are free to leave right now. There is a boat waiting for at the canal.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“To go where?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s for you to decide. The people who brought you here, have come with a boat to take you back.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Prince hesitated despite his wish to leave. A mysterious smile bloomed on the Bhikshu's face making him wonder what was actually happening around him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They have returned? Did they tell you why?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They did. At an hour’s journey through the canal, there is a place called Nandi Mandapam. They said that two women are waiting to meet you there.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Prince heard this, he immediately bounded out of the cot and said, “Gurudeva! Take me to the boat immediately!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bhikshu took the Prince to the canal that was situated at the back of the Viharam. When Senthan Amuthan and Poonguzhali saw him walking on his own hale and hearty, their faces became animated with joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the Prince got in the boat, the old Bhikshu folded his hand in salutation and said, “Ayya! We consider it our good fortune for helping you through this ordeal and our door is open to you all times. I wish that you come back here for another week so that you completely recover your health.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gurudeva! I think that I will be coming back here or else, I wouldn’t leave this place without bidding farewell to the other bhikshus in the Viharam.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the boat started moving, the Prince looked at Senthan Amuthan and Poonguzhali and said, “When you last brought me through this canal, I thought that you were divine beings who were tasked to take to heaven. Instead, you tricked me and took me to a monastery of all places! I need to know what happened after you rescued Vandiya Devan and myself. But before that, tell me who is waiting at Nandi Mandapam?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though the Prince had asked the question to both of them, Poonguzhali maintained a studied silence and left Senthan Amuthan to answer him. When the Prince learned that Princess Kundavai and Vanathi had come to meet him, he said, “Why did my sister bring that faint-hearted girl who swoons at every turn?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Senthan Amuthan then said, “Ayya! Something strange is happening to all the girls in our Kingdom. They wish to abandon the faith they are born in and join the faith of Buddha instead.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATjEgmvouLA/WFdlEtzdVoI/AAAAAAAAGLI/OE8XWewDRMYBFyKUTMuHiZaO39Ca4hQ4QCEw/s1600/nandi_mandapam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATjEgmvouLA/WFdlEtzdVoI/AAAAAAAAGLI/OE8XWewDRMYBFyKUTMuHiZaO39Ca4hQ4QCEw/s320/nandi_mandapam1.jpg" width="220" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who are saying thus?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I believe that Kodumbalur Princess has been saying so and so is my cousin here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Just these two Amudha! I don’t think it would be a big loss if we lose these girls to the faith of Buddha. I know of many monasteries in Elangai where women live as Buddha Bikshunis. I can personally escort them to one of these monasteries if they so wish.” Said the Prince and laughed along with Senthan Amuthan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Later, Senthan Amuthan related all that had happened ever since Poonguzhali rescued them in the middle of the sea. Ponniyin Selvan listened to him intently and compared the events with many of the memories that he remembered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, Poonguzhali pointed to some place in the middle of the canal and said, “There is Nandi Mandapam” and the Prince turned round to see where she was pointing.</span><br />
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-5712845260253220242016-12-01T06:27:00.002-08:002016-12-01T06:28:53.844-08:00Chapter 42: Fever Subsided<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince woke up sometimes from his fever and wondered incessantly where he was lying. He kept looking at a painting on the wall by which he lay and was fascinated by its details. There were Devas, Yakshas and Gandarvas in that painting playing many musical instruments. Some were present with a hand fan hilted in gold and some held gilded umbrellas. The others bore many coloured flowers placed on an ornamental plate in their hands. To the Prince’s fevered mind, this painting seemed so vivid that he thought that they were literally standing there in front of him. Whenever he woke up from his fevered dreams, he thought that he had indeed travelled to the heaven and that these Devas, Yakshas and Gandarvas were welcoming him to their world. He often wondered, how he had come to the heaven. His last memory of the living world was travelling on a boat through a beautiful canal steered by a handsome youth and a beautiful girl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The handsome youth seemed to be utterly devoted to Lord Shiva because he sang many Devaram songs and hymns. The beautiful girl didn’t sing. She sat down silently listening to the youth singing and speaking but a few words. To the Prince, these few words seemed like the most beautiful melody that he had ever heard. Where did they go?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the heavens, apart from the Devas, Yakshas and Gandharvas, there seemed to be a special place for Buddha Bikshus too! Maybe it is they who guard the ‘nectar of life’ in the heavens. He also noted that an old Bikshu came near him at varying intervals and fed him some nectar. Though the heaven seem to be fine and nice, the Prince suffered through unbearable thirst during his stay there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why is that old Bikshu being so stingy with nectar? Why can’t he give me more and slake my thirst?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maybe one is not allowed to imbibe more than one’s share of nectar! Is this really nectar? Or could it be wine? No! No! Would a Buddha Bikshu willingly touch wine and why would they feed it to him? If that was not wine, then why am I feeling so sleepy? Why do I lose consciousness?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For three days, the Prince lingered between heavens and the black void of fevered unconsciousness. On the fourth day, the Prince woke up completely shaking off the dredges of unconsciousness that the fever had brought on. Though he felt weak and tired, he was fully conscious and aware of his surroundings. Now when he looked at the wall, he knew that it was just a painting where Devas, Yakshas and Gandharvas were welcoming Lord Buddha to the land of the heavens and not him. He saw the rest of the paintings in the room where Buddha was travelling through the skies to reach the heavens. He surmised that he was lying in a Buddha Viharam but couldn’t figure where?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He tried to remember everything that had happened since he left Elangai. He remembered the burning ship and the night that he spent with Vandiya Devan battling the sea waves. He didn’t remember much after that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A young Bikshu came into the room holding a bowl. Ah! The bowl of nectar! The Prince took it from his hands and peered into it. It was not nectar. It was just milk probably with some medicine mixed into it. He looked back at the Bikshu and asked, “Swami! Where am I? Who are you? How long have I been here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bikshu didn’t reply instead he withdrew silently to the adjoining chamber and said, “Acharyarey! The fever has completely subsided and he is fully conscious now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some time later, an old Bikshu entered the Prince’s chamber and checked on him. He stood near the cot and looked intently at the Prince’s face. He looked happy when he addressed him and said, “Ponniyin Selva! You are staying at Nagapatinam Choodamani Viharam. You came here three days ago in the grips of a shivering fever. We were fortunate enough to lend our roof and assistance to serve and protect you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I think I am the one who was indeed fortunate. For many years, I have wanted to visit this Viharam. Once I came close to the shores of Nagapattinam but couldn’t come inside. Thankfully, I was lucky enough this time around, to stay here. Swami! Do you know how I came here? Who brought me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My Prince! Please drink the bowl of medicine that you have in your hands and then I will tell you all the details that I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince drank the medicine and said, “Ayya! This is no medicine but nectar. You have nursed me through my fever and taken care of me with such dedication but I am not going to thank you for it…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The old Bikshu smiled at the Prince and said, “Prince! There is no need to thank me. Our Lord Buddha has decreed that it is our prime duty to look after those, who are sick and maimed. There is nothing special about healing you. It was our duty. We are indebted to the Chola dynasty. Your father and the Emperor and your sister Princess Kundavai have done much and more for us. You have helped our brethren in Elangai by rebuilding our monasteries. What we have done doesn’t compare with what you and your family have given us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Acharyarey! That’s not what I meant. I am aware of how deadly this shivering fever is. I have seen hundreds of mine own soldiers dying because of it. I should be dead by now and must be travelling to the heavens, being welcomed by Devas, Yakshas and Gandharvas who would bring me nectar and flowers and play divine music. Instead, I am sitting here, drinking medicine. You brought me back right from the doorstep of heaven to this world that is filled with sickness, sadness and heartache. That’s why I am not thankful to you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The old Bikshu’s face flushed with joy when he heard the Prince’s words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ponniyin Selva! When it is time for you to go to the heavens the God of the heavens, Devendran himself would come down and to take you with him. But now is not the time for you to go to the heavens. There is much and more that you have to achieve before you could even think about leaving this world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prince who was until then sitting reclined on the cot, sat up after hearing the Bikshu’s words and said, “Acharyarey! You are right. There are many things that I wish to achieve before I leave this world. I want to rebuild this Choodamani Viharam and make it as imposing and grand as the many Viharams that I have seen in Elangai. I want to sculpt huge Buddha stupas and statues just like the ones in Elangai. I want to rebuild all the Shiva Temples in our Kingdom in stone. After seeing the huge statues of Buddha in Elangai, I feel ashamed by our own pitiful attempts at sculpting Gods, who are mightier than anything else in this world. I will build a huge temple for Lord Shiva in Thanjavur and its <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gopuram</i> would be stand out as a marvel of our architectural ingenuity and skill. In time, all the temple and Buddha Viharam will compete with each other in stature and size and it would be a glorious sight to see for our future generations…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After speaking thus with passion, the Prince reclined again, tired and sore. The Old Bikshu held the Prince by his shoulders and slowly lowered him onto the cot and said, “My Prince! All your dreams and intentions will bear fruit in time but right now you need to regain your strength and health. Please take rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-32361931442486193282016-11-18T18:48:00.001-08:002016-11-21T03:56:54.053-08:00Chapter 41: Madhuranthakan’s Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lp5jylIVn2s/WC-9aGgrcSI/AAAAAAAAGI4/AOniOz3j4UIoYsKsPwjmzEaBHhs2FIjJACLcB/s1600/PM_Madhu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lp5jylIVn2s/WC-9aGgrcSI/AAAAAAAAGI4/AOniOz3j4UIoYsKsPwjmzEaBHhs2FIjJACLcB/s320/PM_Madhu.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">When the Prime Minister tried to lift the Prince, he wailed in pain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayyo! I am dead! Don’t touch my legs…. they are gone and broken.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Anirudhar asked him, “Prince! What happened to you? How did this mishap occur?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My legs are gone… they are broken. I can’t walk… nor can I stand.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Prime Minister called out his men to bring the palanquin nearby and then turned towards the Prince and said, “Ayya! What happened to you? How did you end up alone in the forest, hurt and broken? Where is your entourage? Where are your royal guards and servants? How dare they leave you alone in the forest in this rain? I can’t think of a punishment that would be tough enough for such scoundrels!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Prime Minister! There is no need to punish anyone. I started out of the palace in the evening, alone on a horse. I was going by the riverbank when it started raining heavily and then the lightening struck. My horse bolted and started galloping wildly. I couldn’t control it. Then I fell down near this tree, that’s when my legs either broke or I might have sprained them. I can’t get up without any aid. Thankfully you came in the dead of the night to help me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“It was your father King Gandarathidhar’s blessings and good deeds that saved you today Prince, that’s what sent me this way towards you. Bear the pain for a little while, my men and I will put you inside the Palanquin. We will discuss the other details while on the way to my house near Nadan Kovil.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Anirudhar’s men brought the palanquin nearby and kept it down and then they helped Madhuranthakar up on his feet and placed him inside amidst many painful groans from the Prince.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">After that, the bearers lifted the palanquin and walked slowly, so that the Prince didn’t get jostled during the journey. The Prime Minister walked alongside the palanquin to help the Prince.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">After a while, they reached Nadan Kovil village where the Prime Minister had a house near the temple. Anirudhar and his men took the Prince inside and laid him down on a bed. Next, they lit a lot of lamps inside the room and proceeded to check the Prince’s leg and found that he had indeed sprained his leg and that they were not broken. This relieved the Prince a lot and his panic subsided.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Prime Minister’s servants got food from the temple that he partook along with the Prince.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! Sleep well tonight. In the morning, I will make arrangements for you to go wherever you wish. I am on my way to Thanjavur, if you wish, I can accompany you there.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! You have harmed me many times for many years but your actions today negates all the hurt that you have caused me. I will never forget the help that you rendered me today. If I become the Emperor of Chola Kingdom tomorrow, I will retain you as my Prime Minister.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Prince! I am indebted to the Chola dynasty. It is my duty to guide and offer apt suggestions and render help to all those who belong to your dynasty. Therefore, there is no need for you to thank me in any way. I was merely doing my duty. I am however intrigued by your other statement. You said that I have harmed you many times. I do not understand that. To my knowledge, I don’t think I have harmed you in any way but if I have, I would like you to tell me how to redeem myself.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! Your reputation in this Kingdom is great. You are well known for your political acumen; intelligence and brilliance in strategic affairs, therefore, please do not use your superior skills on me. You very well know what harm you have caused me but I am willing to forgive you and forget all about it only because of the help that you rendered me today. In return, if you need any help from me, I would be happy to give it.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Anirudhar smiled at him and said, “Yes, my Prince. There is something that this old man wishes from you. I wish that you detest from going anywhere alone on a horse. It would be best for you to travel in a palanquin with your entourage and soldiers guarding you. People of this Kingdom are very angry due to various reasons. You saw how people came together and protested in Pazhaiarai. In fact, I am of the opinion that instead of an open palanquin, a veiled palanquin would be much safer for you and if we can get Pazhuvur Queen palanquin for the same, it would be much easier. No one would suspect that you are travelling.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Maduranthakan was flabbergasted. He didn’t think that the Prime Minister knew anything about that subterfuge. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead as he tried to gather his thoughts and respond to the old man. “Prime Minister! What are you saying? Are you intentionally trying to humiliate me? Why would I travel in Pazhuvur Queen’s palanquin?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! I didn’t know that you found it humiliating to travel in the Pazhuvur Queen’s palanquin! You were travelling all over the Kingdom in her palanquin and the last journey that you made was to Kadambur Palace wasn’t it?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Madhuranthakan looked truly scared now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Prime Minister! I… I went to Kadambur…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Prince! You went to Kadambar on the month of Aadi, on the 18th Aadi Peruku day. On that day, even Periya Pazhuvetarayar had accompanied you. You were taken there on the Pazhuvur Queen’s palanquin. To tell the truth, I didn’t like it much. Travelling in a palanquin is recommended for old men like myself. For young men like yourself, travelling on an elephant or a horse is more suitable, however, you do need to train yourself to do that. Once you regain your health and the use of your legs, I will arrange to train you…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Anirudharey! Careful! You have been humiliating me with your words ever since you brought me here. Just because I fell down today, do not conclude that I know not how to control a horse. You can’t be more wrong to conclude that I travel in Pazhuvur Queen’s palanquin all the time. I am patient now only because you are an old man who helped me today…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! I am happy about the fact that you are patient. There is a saying that goes, ‘Those who are patient, rule the earth.’ Do you know what great poet Valluvar said once? He said that there is none more patient than our Mother Earth. It bears the wounds that we men visit upon the earth. We dig the Earth deep but in return, we are gifted with water. I believe that those who wish to rule too must have the self-same patience that Mother Earth has. Therefore if this old man talks something inappropriate, kindly bear it with patience.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! What are you saying? Are you accusing me of trying to covet this Kingdom?” Madhuranthakan’s face had by then become red with anger, his lips were trembling and his eyebrows were knitted together in fury.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Prime Minister was unperturbed by the Prince’s anger. He said, “My Prince! Why would I accuse you of anything? If you wish to rule this Kingdom, how would it be wrong? You are the young scion of King Vijayalaya Chola’s dynasty and the son of King Gandarathidar Chola. You have all the rights to ascend the throne and no one can accuse you of trying to covet anything when it belongs to you by rights. However, if someone is advising you to the contrary and saying that what you wish for is wrong and that you need to indulge in conspiracies against the Kingdom to attain your wishes, then I beseech do not believe these people. Prince! Please listen to this old man. Your parents didn’t wish that you rule over this Kingdom and you listened to them for a while but now your wishes and desires have changed. No one can fault you or accuse you of trying to covet the Kingdom that should have come to you by rights. You can march up to the Emperor and openly state your wish to ascend the throne as his heir, instead of trying to garner the support of the Kalamugars and joining hands with the Pazhuvur brothers to claim the backing of the noblemen in this Kingdom. Those who are giving you such ideas are doing a great disservice to your reputation and you must consider them as your enemies.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Madhuranthakan was confused. Firstly he didn’t anticipate the fact that the Prime Minister knew everything about his activities. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! How do you know so much about my activities? Who is that traitor who has been acting as my friend and telling on me behind my back?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! It is futile trying to learn my sources. I have eyes and ears all over this Kingdom. Be rest assured, nothing can happen in any part of the Kingdom without my knowledge.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“If that is so, then does the Emperor also know about all this?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> “No. I haven’t seen it fit to inform him about all this yet. I bear many and more secrets than I care to reveal, My Prince. I reveal them only when the time and circumstances are right.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“True. Your heart bears many and more dangerous secrets and if by some chance they get revealed won’t it shake the very foundation of this Kingdom?” said Madhuranthakan with his voice dipped in irony and malice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Prime Minister, however, continued and said, “The Emperor is my friend but there are many secrets that even he doesn’t know. His illness is the biggest source of pain and torment for the Emperor and his heart is wounded. I don’t wish to burden him more with the conspiracy that the noblemen are hatching at the behest of the Pazhuvur brothers. My Prince! Be rest assured, I will never inform the Emperor about your involvement or activities in this regard.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! I wonder why this sudden love for me that too, now of all times?” said Madhuranthakan and laughed derisively.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! I have no ‘sudden love’ for you. Whatever respect and love that I bear for the sons of Sundara Chola are also yours to claim. I have always had the utmost respect and love for you since your birth though there was no occasion to reveal the extent of it to you before…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Until today, when you helped me after the mishap with the horse. But if this mishap had happened a couple of days earlier, you wouldn’t have hesitated to kill and leave me to the wolves in the forest, wouldn’t you?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Narayana! What are you saying, Prince?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Ayya! I am not a fool who would believe anything that is told to me and neither am I a simpleton who has no knowledge of anything. You have been conspiring against me ever since I was but a babe in my mother’s womb. You tried to kill me on the day that I was born… there you are looking surprised. You thought that I didn’t know? Do not be under the wrong impression that you alone know all dark secrets about this Kingdom.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Anirudhar did indeed look surprised and shocked by the Prince’s words but he soon gained his composure and said, “My Prince, you are right. There have been many times when I have been vain enough to believe that I alone knew all the secrets of this Kingdom. Today, however, my pride is broken. Now that you knew all about my plans to kill you at birth, how did you escape my murderous clutches? If you would tell me, I would be much obliged.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“You wish to know how much I know about everything. All right, I will tell you. Your sent murderers to kill me right after I was born and they snatched the child without even checking whether it was a ‘girl’ or a ‘boy’ and when they learned that it was a girl they came and told you. You allowed the girl child to live and gave her off to some priest and asked them to bring her up. A half-hour after she was born, my mother gave birth to me and since my horoscope and stars seemed to be fine, you allowed me to live. Since you failed to kill me at birth, you have been determined to stop me from ascending the throne. You tried to influence my mother and asked her to bring me up as a Shiva devotee so that I would willingly refuse the throne. You failed in that too. I didn’t turn out to be the mad Shiva devotee who would renounce the kingdom and this world in turn. Ayya! Why are you looking so stunned? Won’t you argue that all that I am saying is a blatant lie?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Prime Minister was indeed looking stunned and it took him great effort to think of a reply for the Prince. “Prince! There is indeed no point in refuting all this, especially when you know so much about everything.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“Yes. There is indeed no use. I also know why you have this sudden love for me. You have no love or regard for Aditya Karikalan. You wished to crown Arul Mozhi Varmar instead but now that he has drowned in the sea, you have developed a sudden love for me. Despite all the wrongs that you have done to me, let me tell you this. I will forget the past only because of the help that you rendered me today. I will also retain you as my Prime Minister once I become the Emperor of this kingdom.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">“My Prince! Your words are a great source of happiness for me.” Said the Prime Minister. </span></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-79364858022821315402016-11-04T20:31:00.002-07:002016-11-04T20:34:03.202-07:00Chapter 40: Aanaimangalam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FSkvaxo9CQ/WB1SoUtwUwI/AAAAAAAAGIA/ig7J3dBoT7gEbi9g6BNvDmou-NXzFOtbACLcB/s1600/annaimangalam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FSkvaxo9CQ/WB1SoUtwUwI/AAAAAAAAGIA/ig7J3dBoT7gEbi9g6BNvDmou-NXzFOtbACLcB/s320/annaimangalam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know that one of our heroines Vanathi, had the annoying habit of fainting at the end of momentous chapters. We hope that you would excuse her this one time because she would soon be cured of this habit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Vanathi gained consciousness again, she felt as though she was swaying in the sky. Drops of rain fell all around her and she could smell the rain and the freshness of the earth and the drip drop sound of the rainwater. Though it was dark all over she could still make out flashes of lightning in the sky and a cold wind blew all over her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She remembered the Prime Minister’s words about the going to the nether world and the elephant lifting her in its trunk.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anirudhar’s words came true. My life in this world has ended and I am traveling towards the nether world. I will probably see Gods and Goddesses in this world. But he wouldn’t be there. The one person whom she had enshrined within her heart as a God will not be there. So what’s the use of going to the netherworld?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why am I swaying thus? Why is my mount shaking? But the place where I am sleeping is so comfortable and soft just like a mother’s lap. No… more than my mother’s lap it reminds of Princess Kundavai’s lap who loves me just like my mother.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah! I wonder what she is doing in Pazhaiarai right now? When would she learn of the terrible fate that befell me?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright! I am travelling to the heavens through the clouds but what kind of vehicle am I on? Could it be Pushpaka Vimanam that comes in Ramayana or would it be Airavatham – Indra’s magnificent white elephant? My God! Why am I thinking about an elephant now? That life is over and done now.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though she tried to convince herself about her death, Vanathi’s curiosity got better of her and she tried to find out where she was lying. She touched the place where her head was placed and found it as soft as silk. Someone was touching her cheek and her eyes and was calling her…</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5E58uALT3MM/WB1SYFauKII/AAAAAAAAGH4/0OZgTKrbbSc004yWCSuU9_d0hQkux5GUwCLcB/s1600/Kundavai_Vanathi_elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5E58uALT3MM/WB1SYFauKII/AAAAAAAAGH4/0OZgTKrbbSc004yWCSuU9_d0hQkux5GUwCLcB/s320/Kundavai_Vanathi_elephant.jpg" width="226" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Vanathi! Vanathi!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Akka</i>! Is that you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes. It’s me. Who else?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Are you travelling with me to the heavens?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Why do you wish to go to the heavens, my girl? Are you so tired of this world now?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then… where are we going?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You have forgotten about it so soon? Don’t you remember that we are going to Aanaimangalam?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Where? Where are we going?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Great! We are going to Aanaimangalam perched atop an elephant no less.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Ayyo</i>! An elephant!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Are you afraid of elephants now? Why are you shivering?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Akka! Did I fall asleep?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, you did. You were cherishing the joy of travelling in an elephant and fell asleep happily.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Fell asleep happily! There was nothing happy about it. I had the most frightful dreams.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I thought so as well. You were blabbering many things in your sleep.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What did I blabber?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You spoke about Kalamugars… sacrifice and then Gajendra Motcham and then Elephant’s trunk! After that you abused our poor Prime Minister Anirudhar and called him names! I do say that he totally deserves being abused thus… though if he had only heard it, I doubt if he would sleep peacefully for days.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I can’t believe that it was all a dream, <i>Akka</i>.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What was the dream… tell me that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I dreamt that the Kalamugars kidnapped me and took me to the Prime Minister who asked me many questions about the Prince. I refused to answer his questions and he got irked by my refusal and commanded the elephant to throw me to death. I wish you had seen me then, <i>Akka.</i> I didn’t flinch away from the danger and nor did I give away to despair. I remembered you then… I wished you were there to see me stand up to that man bravely.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Well… I am glad that at least in your dreams you turn out to be brave.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi remained silent for a while and then said, “I still can’t believe it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What can’t you believe?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“All that can’t just be a dream…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sometimes dreams can be that realistic too…I have had many such dreams that seem so real that I can’t believe it when I wake up.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What dreams are these? Tell me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Why? I dream of my brother all the time. It’s been so long since he went to Elangai but in my dreams, he is there with me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You are lucky <i>akka</i>!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Lucky am I? What do you know of my heart that has been in pain ever since he disappeared in the sea?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What if that too had been a dream and never happened?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If only it were so Vanathi, but it is true. The Prince did jump into the sea and people who saw it has come back to tell us about it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You are talking about the Vandiya Devan, aren’t you? Didn’t he say something else about the Prince and the boat girl and mention Choodamani Viharam as well?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It must be one of your dreams then. Now that I recall, you did blabber something about the boat girl Poonguzhali and Choodamani Viharam in Nagapattinam. You also said that you would become a Buddha Bikshuni! Have you lost interest in this world so soon that you wish to give up its pleasures?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Akka</i>! Don’t you know my heart? I have no wish to live now that he is no more! I truly wish that the elephant had thrown me to death.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Wretched Girl! You would die and leave me alone!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You are different <i>Akka</i>!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“True! You bear more love and affection towards my brother than I do perhaps?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Akka</i>! I didn’t mean that. I was about to say that you have a strong heart that has the forbearance to weather through dark times…whereas I don’t have such fortitude and I have no wish to live on after he is gone…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Stop! Why do you say that he is dead? Why should we believe such a thing? Do you know for sure? Did you see? Pazhuvur brothers and their queen and that poor Madhuranthakan might mourn my brother in the public and feel happy about it privately but why should we do it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What are you saying then? What do you think happened to him after he jumped into the sea during the fierce storm? If he had escaped, don’t you think he would have come back home by now?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Foolish girl! When someone jumps into the sea, should we just assume that they died?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If he had escaped, then why didn’t he come back home?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Vanathi! Do you know what happened to my father when he was young? For many months in row, he was missing and no one knew where he was. They searched for him high and low in the seas and then brought him back to the kingdom and made him the heir apparent to King Gandarathidhar. My own grandfather Aringzha Cholar went missing after the Thakkolam war and returned after many years. Listen to me Vanathi! My beloved Ponni River saved my brother and gave him back to me years ago… in the same manner Samudra Raja too would give him back to me. There are many small islands dotting the coast of Elangai, it could be possible that the Prince might have taken shelter there. I started on this journey just to ensure that no effort is spared in searching for the Prince. Don’t you remember I told you all this just before we started? I can’t fault you though… you have been in a state ever since the news about the Prince came.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi remained silent for a while and then asked, “Akka! What’s the name of the place where we are going?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Aanaimangalam.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Where is it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It is near Nagapattinam. In your dreams, you had blabbered about Choodamani Viharam that too is near Aanaimangalam. If you truly wish to become a Buddha Bikshuni, it would be very convenient for us. But don’t be in a tearing hurry to give up this world and don ochre robes… you can decide about it after we get more news about Ponniyin Selvan.” Said Kundavai and laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Akka</i>… you are laughing. How can you? Are you so sure that the Prince has escaped?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If I am not sure, then would I be like this Vanathi? The astrologer’s predictions have certainly come true. The divine couch and the Sudarshana Chakra mark in his hands will come true… so far whatever was predicted about him has come true.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t know how you can believe all that…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What do you know, girl? You have not been yourself ever since you heard the news. Almost all the astrologers that I had consulted told me that Arul Mozhi would have to pass through many dangers to his life and that has come true. I am sure the rest of the predictions about his life too would come to pass…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What were the rest of the predictions?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I have told you so many times…why do you want me to repeat it now? Sleep now… we will talk about it later.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi remained silent for a while and then said, “Why are we travelling in the night that too on the elephant, <i>Akka</i>?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You don’t remember? If we travel in the light, people from nearby villages would come to us with questions about the Prince… It would be impossible to answer them… and they in turn would curse the Pazhuvur brothers of conspiracies and abuse the Pazhuvur queen in our hearing. Why should we hear all that? The Pazhuvur brothers might even go to the length of accusing me of inciting the public against them. That’s why we are travelling in the night. I told you all this when we left Pazhaiarai but you seem to have forgotten. I hope we find some cure for you at Choodamani Viharam… Now go to sleep… even I am feeling sleepy. There is nothing else to do on this moving mountain…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi resolved to remain silent from now on and thought back to the day’s events… they seemed real to her now.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not dreaming and nor am I imagining things as Princess Kundavai seems to believe… she concluded.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She wondered what might have happened to her after the elephant had lifted her with its trunks but she couldn’t remember anything. One possibility was that Princess Kundavai might have arrived there on time, to save her…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She imagined how the Prime Minister must have felt after seeing Kundavai but the elephant had lifted her in its trunk to throw… how could Kundavai save her from this danger?</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVt4w-iRFO0/WB1Sh7EODXI/AAAAAAAAGH8/yZariobn_iQFd_X4yIo5YQwEXd6c52uhwCLcB/s1600/Elephant_hood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVt4w-iRFO0/WB1Sh7EODXI/AAAAAAAAGH8/yZariobn_iQFd_X4yIo5YQwEXd6c52uhwCLcB/s320/Elephant_hood.jpg" width="163" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>What if this is the same elephant that had lifted me with its trunk?</i> She could faintly remember seeing a hooded seat on top of the elephant.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if Kundavai had been sitting in the hooded seat all the while when the Prime Minister was talking to me? The elephant might have placed me in the hooded seat instead of throwing me to death!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi had seen elephants do that feat many a time. She wondered whether Kundavai and the Prime Minister had concocted this plan just to stop her journey or maybe they wished to check how brave she was?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn’t Kundavai do a similar thing by arranging a dead crocodile to frighten me?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be that as it may…travelling alone to Nagapattinam was a stupid plan in the first place. It is so comforting to be with Princess Kundavai and sleep on her lap instead. She wondered whether to believe in Kundavai optimism or not? She now knew for sure that Kundavai wouldn’t be so unless she knew for sure that the Prince is alive and well.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will I meet the Prince at the end of this journey?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When she thought about the meeting, her heart bounded with love and anticipation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The elephant walked on and on through the night. The royal guards accompanied it guarding its front and rear. The rain had stopped after a while and the stars came out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi looked at them and wondered whether they can truly influence the lives of countless people who live in this world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For many years now, she had heard astrologers comparing Ponniyin Selvar’s stars and hers as a perfect match.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is there any truth in all that? Kudanthai Jodhidhar had predicted that the son born to her would rule the world! Would it really come true?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They also say that the appearance of a comet in the sky indicates grave danger … if so what danger would it be?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is the danger averted now that the Ponniyin Selvar jumped into the sea or could it be something else… something more fatal?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will he truly return just as Kundavai believes?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With these and many other thoughts swirling through her mind, Vanathi slept for a while. When she woke again, it was early in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kundavai too was up and she parted the veils of their hood and looked out and said, “There we have reached Aanaimangalam. We have arrived at the Chola palace…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They both ascended from the elephant hood and entered the palace. The palace retainers welcomed the Princesses warmly and showed them the place. In the end, they went to the rear of the Palace where a canal could be seen that later joined the sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Akka</i>! You said that you would be making arrangements to search for the Prince. What are these arrangements?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, Vanathi… the arrangements have been made. See there… do you see a boat? The people in the boat might bring us some information.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanathi saw that there were two people in the distant boat. “<i>Akka</i>! Who is coming in the boat?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The boat is rowed by Senthan Amuthan… remember him? We released him from the Thanjavur Underground prison and the other person in the boat must be Poonguhazli, his cousin.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goose pimples rose on Vanath’s body and she said, “<i>Akka</i>! I do not wish to meet that woman, I will go inside.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What is this? Why are you so afraid of that girl now? Stay where you are and don’t say anything.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boat neared the palace even as both the women waited for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How did Vanathi escape from the elephant? Her guess proved to be right in this case. The elephant as she had anticipated did not throw her to death. Instead, it had handed her over to the hood where Princess Kundavai caught the unconscious girl and had laid her down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that, the Prime Minister had looked up and said, “<i>Devi</i>… I will take my leave now. May your journey be successful and fruitful.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Ayya</i>! I thank you for your help.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You said that the Kodumbalur Princess was a coward? I haven’t seen a braver girl than her…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“She was a faint-hearted girl before but off late she has become braver…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“That must be because of you Princess… She must think that I am the worst demon in the three worlds… but then many people think about me in that manner and I am not bothered about other people’s opinions… I will take your leave now.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saying thus, the Prime Minister got into his palanquin and headed west while the elephant and its guards turned south.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right after the Prime Minister’s journey began, it started raining but the bearers and the guards didn’t stop for respite anywhere. In a little while, the rain too stopped and that’s when the Palanquin stopped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Why have you stopped?” asked the Prime Minister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Master… it looks as though someone is lying under the tree there.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Prime Minster looked out and at that time, a lightning flashed through and he could see clearly that someone was indeed lying there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes… It looks as though someone is there.” said the Prime Minister and got down from the palanquin and then walked towards the tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He could hear someone moaning in pain…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Who is there?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Is that the Prime Minister?” asked the person who was lying there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes. This is the Prime Minister. Who are you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Ayya</i>! Don’t you recognise me? I am Madhuranthakan.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Prince! What is this? What happened to you? How did you end up thus?” said the Prime Minister and hurried towards him.</span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-64601500202939005802016-10-30T00:16:00.003-07:002016-10-30T00:18:50.124-07:00Chapter 39: Gajendra Motcham<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi got down from the palanquin and stood out watching the procession arrive near the temple. Her kidnappers, the Kalamugars too stood next to her silently. The silence was so absolute that she could hear the croaking of a lone frog at a distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi didn’t think she could run and escape the approaching party or her captors. She knew the Prime Minister’s reputation. She might probably escape the Kalamugars with schemes and tricks but the likelihood of Anbil Brahmarayar falling for it was unlikely. His political acumen and brilliant statesmanship were well known even among the sheltered womenfolk of Pazhaiarai. Even in the innermost chambers of anthapuram at Pazhaiarai where womenfolk and servants freely discussed the affairs of the Kingdom and the private lives of every nobleman, no one spoke a word about Anirudhar, ill or otherwise because they feared that he might learn about it somehow. It was a well-known fact that the Emperor who was known for his benevolence in other matters would never tolerate disrespect towards his dear childhood friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi knew all this and more. She knew that Princess Kundavai had great respect towards the Prime Minister, therefore, she hoped to get assistance and protection from him but the Kalamugars’ revelation came as a shock to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Why would the Prime Minister send these Kalamugars to capture her of all people? Could they be lying?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Though she was confused about the turn of events, she was, however, sure of one thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Irrespective of who came here to question, be it the Pazhuvur brothers, Prince Madhuranthakan or even the Prime Minister, I must not reveal any information about the Prince.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This decision bolstered her heart and gave her new determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Let them come… I will let them see how brave the people of Kodumbalur clan can be. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The procession stopped at some distance and a palanquin came forward borne by bearers. After it neared Vanathi, the bearers kept it down and Prime Minister Anirudhar got down from it. At his signal, the bearers and the Kalamugars withdrew to a respectful distance and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How strange? Is this perchance a dream? You are Kodumbalur Princess, aren’t you? You are the daughter of Kodumbalur Siriya Vellar who sacrificed his life for the honour of the Chola Kingdom in Elangai.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. I am the Kodumbalur Princess. <i>Ayya</i>! I hope I too am not dreaming about standing in front of the most respected Prime Minister of this Kingdom and the cherished childhood friend of our emperor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Good. I am happy to learn that you know who I am. It will make my task easier and I need not give you too much trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I wish you wouldn’t worry about giving me trouble as I wouldn’t consider it as one.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Good! I am glad to see that we understand each other perfectly well. I do not wish to trouble you overly. I have a few questions to ask you, and if you answer them to my satisfaction, I will…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! Before you question me, might I ask a few questions of my own?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Go ahead and ask. You are like my daughter. A few days ago, I met your uncle Budhivikrama Kesari in Elangai and he requested me to take care of you during his absence and I promised to oblige him…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is that so? Then let me offer my salutations to my father! A few years ago, when I met the Emperor, he had promised to be a father to me and now I have the most powerful Prime Minister too wanting to adopt me as his daughter. I think I am truly blessed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! Ask whatever you wish of me quickly. It looks like it is going to rain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Father! Was it you who ordered these Kalamugars to kidnap me and bring me to this isolated temple? Was it you who ordered them to mutilate me, if I failed to answer your questions? These scoundrels are saying so, but I refused to believe them…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child, they speak the truth. It was ‘I’ who ordered them to bring you here. If that is a crime…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! Your statement shocks me. You are the most powerful Prime Minister of this Kingdom and yet you have no idea whether an action such as these is a crime or not? You know the law of this land and you are in a position where even if the Emperor commits a crime, you have the right to question his actions and yet you do not know whether kidnapping a lone woman and threatening her with mutilation is a crime or not? If you do not know this simple fact that what will happen to the rest of the women in this Kingdom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Prime Minister was speechless for a short while when Vanathi started her tirade and he found it impossible to get a word in between. His voice hardened with anger when he said, “Princess! Stop, please. Do not expend your talent in a speech here. It would be a wasted effort, I assure you. There are enough and more reasons for me to wonder whether it was a ‘crime or not’ because it solely depends on the answer that you would give to my questions. I learned that a woman who knew a very important secret about the Kingdom was travelling by the Nagapattinam road and I asked my men to stop this woman and bring her to me. They might have made a mistake. They might have kidnapped the wrong woman who had been to Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house. Tell me the truth daughter! Did you intend to return to Pazhaiarai from Kudanthai? Did your palanquin bearers take you on the Nagapatinnam road by mistake? Tell me that it was never your intent to meet someone who had plotted against this kingdom? If you can prove that these allegations are wrong, then my men have indeed committed a crime and I too am complicit in it. What do you say? Shall I speak plainly? Did you start on this journey to meet Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Kodumbalur Princess was shaken to the core by the Prime Minister’s questions and she was also very angry. She knew that there was no point is showing her anger on this man. At that moment somehow she transformed from being an innocent maiden to a woman who would weigh each and every word she spoke, lest she reveals something important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! What is this that you are saying? How can Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar plot against his own kingdom? Isn’t it a crime to speak about the most darling Prince of the Kingdom thusly? I think I should report this to Princess Kundavai immediately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Go ahead and report anything you wish, Princess. You need not tarry here for a minute longer after you have answered my questions. I will escort you myself to Princess Kundavai.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And if I don’t answer your questions… then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You can’t escape without answering the questions from this old man Princess. You will have no choice but to answer me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! You are the most powerful man in this Kingdom but you will not learn anything from me. I might be a poor orphan girl without any protection in this kingdom but I will not answer your questions. Your men promised to burn my fingers in the fire a little while ago, maybe you should do good on that promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! I commend your brave heart and steadfastness. You are indeed the daughter of the brave Velir who lay down his life for this Kingdom. You say that you will not answer my question… that is wrong because you have already answered many of my questions. There is but one more question for you to answer which will make all things simpler…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi was shocked into silence. She wondered whether she did inadvertently say something that she ought not to say. Then she took heart and reigned in her courage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No! I didn’t say anything. This old man is trying to trap me into answering his questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! You are known to be the most learned man in this world. I am sure you recite the Vedas every day, therefore, it is not right for you to lie thus. How can you say this? I haven’t said anything about the Prince, then how could you claim that I did?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Think carefully Princess. You may be surprised to know that one need not open their mouth to answer a question. Your very silence about my question has indeed answered them. Let me tell you what you revealed then. The entire Kingdom is right now under turmoil because Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar is presumed to be dead. The citizens of this Kingdom right from noble families to the poor beggar are mourning his death yet you are standing here telling me that ‘you don’t know anything about him’. What does that reveal? That shows that you know for a fact that the Prince is ‘well and alive’. I asked you whether you were on your way to Nagapattinam but you didn’t refute that either. You didn’t tell me ‘No I am not going to Nagapattinam… I am going elsewhere” and nor did you counter me saying, ‘How can I meet a Prince who is already dead?’ This essentially means that you know that he is alive and you are on your way to meet him at Nagapattinam. Now, there are just two more questions that you need to answer. Where in Nagapattinam, is the Prince hiding and I need to know how you learned this information? Once you give this information, you need not worry about anything else, I will escort you safely to anywhere you wish to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi plunged into despair. She knew now that she had doomed the Prince’s fate through her foolishness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is there any way that I can redeem myself from this blunder? No, that’s not possible. The only way out is to give up my life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! You claimed that you are a friend of my uncle’s and that you consider me as your daughter. I beseech you… I do not wish to go to Nagapattinam and nor do I wish to go to Pazhaiarai…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You wish to go back to Kodumbalur… I would be happy to escort you there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. I don’t want to go there…I wish to leave this world. Please ask your men to sacrifice me at the temple’s altar. I am ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! I told you that I would fulfil your wish, whatever that would be. Therefore if it is your wish to leave this world then so be it but before that, you will need to answer my question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! There is no use asking me any question, as I will not be answering you. If you truly consider me as your daughter…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! I do consider you as mine own daughter. I have known your family for many years. I have great admiration for your father. Your uncle and I have been friends, for the past forty years now. However, it’s been my policy never to mix friendship and politics. Where the welfare of the Kingdom and its people are concerned, we have to set aside these relationships. I can’t turn a blind eye to your crime just because I consider you as my daughter. Just look at Chakravarthy’s actions. Did he stop to consider his relationship with his son? No. When he learned that the Prince had indeed plotted against him, didn’t he send his men to imprison him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! You are saying so many things about the Prince. In what way did the Prince plot against the Emperor and the Kingdom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ah! So you don’t know about it. That might be the reason why you are refusing to answer my question. Let me enlighten you. Ponniyin Selvan went to Elangai on the pretext of fighting the war. When our armies defeated the Elangai King, he saw an opportunity to grab the Kingdom for his own. Isn’t that treason against the Emperor and his Kingdom? When the Chakravarthy knew about this plot, he sent two ships full of soldiers to imprison the Prince but he foiled their attempts by deliberately jumping into the sea. The rumours of his death are false because I am sure he must have escaped somehow to some secret place. You are an innocent girl, that’s why you don’t know anything about the Prince’s ulterior motives. If you try to hide his secret, you too will be complicit in this plot against the Kingdom and will be treated as one. Therefore tell me the truth, where is the Prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi’s anger broke all bounds. She couldn’t stand there and listen to the falsehoods and lies that the Prime Minister was speaking about her Prince. Her anger transformed her from a calm gentle creature into a ferocious roaring tiger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! You are peddling malicious lies. All your accusations against the Prince are false. In Elangai, when our army was disheartened the Prince took over the command and gave our campaign new life. They fought and defeated the enemy thanks to the Prince’s presence and his war tactics. When the people of Elangai came to know about the Prince’s grace, goodness and benevolence they wanted him to rule as their King. The Buddha Mahasangam offered the throne of Elangai to him but he refused. I can’t believe that you would say such things about him! When the Prince learned that the Emperor had sent his men to imprison him, he hastened to meet them on his own. He didn’t jump into the sea deliberately. He was trying to save his dear friend’s life. The Prince never plotted against the Emperor or the Kingdom. I am an unfortunate creature indeed who had to listen to such falsehoods about the Prince.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Anirudhar responded to her tirade with a slightly mocking smile, “Princess! If someone were to hear you talk thusly about the Prince, they would conclude that you both were lovers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! What you just said is half true. I have indeed lost my heart to the Prince but I doubt if there is any room in his heart for the likes of me. Even the smallest of the birds in this world can fall in love with the moon but the moon has no knowledge about the existence of the bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ah! I didn’t know that my dear friend’s niece had such appreciation of poetry. But then, that’s probably why Princess Kundavai cherishes your friendship so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Enough! I want no praises from you of all people. Either you let me go free or else command your men to sacrifice me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! You seem to know too many things about Ponniyin Selvar, I am sure you also know where he is hiding right now. Tell me where he is and I will take you to your uncle. He has returned from Elangai now and would have reached Madurai by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>! My uncle is not a person who would entertain friendship with people who have poison in their hearts like you. I am an orphan. I have no parents, no relatives or family to speak of. I know nothing about the Prince and even if did, I will not be revealing it to you. Do not waste any more time…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. We can’t tarry anymore. It looks like it’s going to rain anytime now…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Where there are people like you, thunder and lightening too would fall…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nature seemed to acknowledge Vanathi’s words because even as she said it, a flash of lightening streaked across the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Woman! Will you not tell me where Prince Arul Mozhi Varman is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My guess is correct then. You are indeed on your way to meet him with a secret message. Is that true or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ayya! You are wasting time. I am not going to answer any of your questions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright. Then prepare yourself. You will be punished in a manner that befits those who collude with criminals who conspire against the Kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am ready for whatever punishment you wish to mete out. Lead the way. I will lay my head on the sacrificial altar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. You are the daughter of Kodumbalur Velir. You deserve a punishment that befits your station in life. Look at that elephant!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi looked at the elephant that was in the forefront of his entourage. It was a huge beast dark and massive in size. In the enveloping darkness and the drizzling rain, she could discern only the pearly white ivory of the elephant’s tusk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! Have you heard of Gajendra Motchan? When a crocodile caught the elephant’s foot, it cried for help and Lord Vishnu came all the way from Vaikuntam to save his devotee and slew the crocodile and sent it to the nether world. This elephant too has punished many people for their crimes and have sent them to the nether world. You said that you wished to leave this world… this elephant would fulfil your wish within a second. It will wound your body within its trunk and throw you away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Princess! Let me ask you for the last time. Will you tell me where the Prince is hiding or would you rather prefer a terrible death through this elephant?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ayya! Will you ask the elephant to come towards me or shall I go to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Anirudhar signalled with his hands for the elephant to come closer and then he said something incomprehensible in a language that Vanathi didn’t understand. The elephant came forward and entwined its huge trunk around Vanathi’s slender form and lifted her from the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">During that moment many thousand thoughts came to Vanathi’s mind. She was shocked and surprised by the fact that she was so brave and courageous while facing the Prime Minister. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Didn’t Princess Kundavai mock me all the time for being timid and meek? If she had only seen me now what would she think? Will she ever know what happened to me? No…She will know one day and will tell Ponniyin Selvar how bravely I gave up my life to safeguard his secret. What will the Prince think then? Will he realise then that I was braver than that boat girl?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The elephant’s trunk moved upwards and Vanathi too moved up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Yes! That Brahma Rakshashar was right. This elephant is going to throw me. God knows where I will fall but I will be dead soon.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The elephant was ready to throw her. Its trunk was above the head. Vanathi closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable to happen. Thankfully, she also lost consciousness at the same moment.</span><span style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-60527977225412529702016-10-21T23:38:00.000-07:002016-10-21T23:38:10.901-07:00Chapter 38: What happened to Vanathi?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi, the Kodumbalur Princess’ palanquin was travelling towards Thiruvaroor even when the sun had begun to set. As she started on her journey, she found herself totally confused. She wished to go to Nagapattinam Choodamani Viharam and nurse Prince Arul Mozhi who was ailing but there were many hurdles to pass through. Firstly, she wondered whether she would be allowed inside the Viharam. Secondly, the thought that she had to go to Nagapattinam alone scared her. She tried to build courage by reasoning with her heart….</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To accomplish even small things, people need to cross over hurdles…everybody is struggling to fulfil their aspirations and dreams and hurdles are everywhere. I just need to build courage in my heart and must not get disheartened. Imagine how courageous that boat girl must be to ply her boat through the sea, day and night. One can only imagine the courage that she must have possessed to save the Prince from the stormy seas where the waves rise up as high as the mountains. And I am scared of undertaking a small journey alone! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It doesn’t matter if I was not allowed to meet the Prince. I can find lodgings to stay near the Prince and if I can meet that boat girl there, then through her I will find a way to meet him. I need to convince him somehow that I am not interested in becoming the queen and that my love is pure, devoid of any such ambitions. After that, I can happily give up my life or I can join the Viharam and become a Bikshuni…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanathi wished to know at what time they would be arriving in Nagapattinam from the palanquin bearers. She therefore opened the veils and stuck her head out. She could see several dark figures hiding behind a large tree on the road and on closer look she knew that they were Kalamuga Saivars. She was not worried about them. Kalamugars were frequent guests of her uncle at their palace in Kodumbalur. They would speak to her uncle, conduct pujas and then demand whatever they needed right royally and leave. Once the head of Kalamugars himself had stayed at their palace. Her uncle was a great patron of Kalamugars and had donated much wealth to temples and to village chieftains to provide food and shelter for these wandering mendicants. She knew that they wouldn’t harm her in any way. They might actually help protect her on her journey. She knew that they were all headed towards the Maha Sangam that was congregated at the Kollidam River and had surmised that that’s why so many of them were seen walking on the roads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite knowing all this, Vanathi in her heart of hearts wondered why this particular group of Kalamugars were hiding behind the tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do they intend to harm me? What if they don’t know that I am Kodumbalur Princess?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even while she was wondering thus, the Kalamugars emerged from the shadows and came running towards the Palanquin and surrounded them. Even then, she was not scared. She assumed that they would leave her alone once they knew, who she was but before she could open her mouth, they had tied her companion to the tree. This elicited a scream from her mouth but the Kalamugars were unfazed. One of them turned towards her and held up his trident and said, “Woman! Don’t shout. If you come with us quietly we will not harm you or else you will fall prey to this trident.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi tried to speak to him courageously and said, “Do you know who I am? I am the daughter of Kodumbalur Vellar. If you touch me, you will be destroyed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But the Kalamugan was unfazed by her revelation. He said, “We know who you are. We have been waiting for you in this forest for a long time. Do not make a sound or else we will be forced to silence you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the same time, Vanathi could hear the Kalamugars whipping her palanquin bearers and their screams of pain. She tried to get down from the palanquin but before she could move, the Kalamugars took the Palanquin off the ground and were hurtling towards the dense forest path. As they ran they screamed with a peculiar sound that would have drowned any pleas of help from her. It was impossible to jump out of the palanquin as the entire gang of Kalamugars had surrounded it from all sides. Vanathi decided to wait out and see what would happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For about half hour, they ran with the palanquin and in the dense forest there was a clearing where an old Durga temple was there. They placed the palanquin near the entrance. By then, darkness had enveloped the forest and nothing could be seen clearly. One of the Kalamugars went inside the temple and came out with a burning lamp. He held it near Vanathi’s face and said, “Woman! We have a few questions for you. If you tell us the truth, we will not harm you. We will escort you to your destination safely.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What questions? What do you wish to ask me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Woman! You left Pazhaiarai alone to meet someone in secret. Who were you planning to meet and where were you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What do you care, who I am planning to meet? What is it to you? I will not tell you anything about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Kalamugan laughed and said, “You don’t have to say anything. We know that you had plans to meet Prince Arul Mozhi Varman. Tell us where he is hiding and we will not harm you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are free to harm me in any way you want but I will not tell you anything.” Said Vanathi with determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So we are free to harm you, is it? I doubt if you would say thus if you knew what we are planning to do you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Go ahead! Tell me what you are planning to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“First we will take one of your beautiful soft arms and burn it in the fire. Next, we will roast your other arm and then we will unravel that long hair of yours and burn that as well…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is that so? Here is my arm. Bring the fire log here and go ahead!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi was well aware of the conspiracies that the rebel lords were hatching against the royal family. She surmised that these Kalamugars must be their men and they are trying to find out where the Prince was hiding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If I underwent torture to save the Prince from these murderous rogues then what more could I ask from life?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was this thought that gave Vanathi the courage and determination to talk fearlessly to the Kalamugars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Woman! Don’t be foolish. Answer our questions or else you will regret your silence later when you roam around like a sightless crone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are free to torture me in any manner you wish. Go ahead and burn my arms… hack me to pieces and kill me but I will not tell you anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright. I think it is time that we make good on our promises. You! Get that firelight close here…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just then, Vanathi’s attention was diverted when she saw a procession of palanquin, elephants and horsemen appearing at a distance. It looked as though the procession was coming towards them. Heaving a sigh of relief, she realized that she would soon be rescued from these Kalamugars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There! Be careful now! Someone is coming.” She said to their leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Instead of being scared the Kalamugan laughed outright and asked, “Do you know who is coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It looks like Prime Minister Anirudhar. If I scream they will be able to hear me. Save yourself. Run away from here before they catch you or else….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes! The Prime Minister is on his way here. It was on his orders that we kidnapped and brought you here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Now Vanathi was not only shocked but also afraid. A scream almost escaped from her mouth!</span><!--EndFragment-->
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-13584328665686524462016-10-14T23:35:00.003-07:002016-10-14T23:35:53.863-07:00Chapter 37: Disguise Removed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXrVoAE8iD4/WAHOFJ2gifI/AAAAAAAAGFY/SRHu9WOOwVEEtx6sVXHcz4C3V2WJXCiMgCLcB/s1600/comet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXrVoAE8iD4/WAHOFJ2gifI/AAAAAAAAGFY/SRHu9WOOwVEEtx6sVXHcz4C3V2WJXCiMgCLcB/s320/comet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Seeing a fierce looking Kalamugan in the middle of the forest, at the dead of the night, was a fearsome prospect but Vandiya Devan’s natural fearlessness asserted itself after a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">He wondered, “Where have I seen him? He looks very familiar. Ah! He looks like the same Kalamugan who had commented about him when he was sleeping in the forest after meeting Nandini at Harichandra River. His face looks too familiar. Why? Where else have I seen him?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Kalamugan who had been staring at him for a while now burst into a hearty laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Ha Ha Ha!” To Vandiya Devan’s ears, his voice too seemed very familiar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Cha! It’s you. I can’t believe that I came all the way in the middle of the night through this forest, for you!” Vandiya Devan’s suspicion deepened. It seemed as though the Kala Mugan was deliberately trying to disguise his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Then why did you come and for whom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I came in search of the Prince.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Which Prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“How does it concern you? Why do you ask?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I too am a Prince. That’s why I asked.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You? A Prince? Let me see. Yes! There! It says so right on your face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I think my face is any day better than yours unless you wish to improve upon it by adding matted beards and dreadlocks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Why don’t you try it? It might indeed improve your appearance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I thought so too…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What did you think?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Nothing. Just untie me. I too will join your group and become a Kalamugan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“No thanks. We don’t need any more spies in our group. It’s because of spies like you that our Maha Sangam meeting ended in a sham.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“We were waiting for the Prince to come for our meeting. We thought that once he becomes the king, he would pledge to make our leader the Raja Guru of the Cholas (Spiritual Head). But he didn’t come for the meeting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Untie me and I will tell you why your Prince didn’t come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Which Prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Who else? King Gandarathidhar’s son Prince Madhuranthakan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“My guess is right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What did you guess?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I guessed that you were a spy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“How did you guess that rightly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“When I came searching for the Prince, I saw a group of people through the forest path. I didn’t know who they were. They probably thought that you were a spy and that’s why they tied you to that pillar but I can’t believe that they left you alive. I wonder why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I can tell you why if you untie me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You don’t have to tell me anything and I will not untie you unless you promise to listen to whatever I tell you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What should I do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You should promise me that henceforth you will not interfere in matters that do not concern you and then hold your ears and do thopukaranam for 108 times!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Is that so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Even while Vandiya Devan was engaging the Kalamugan in this conversation he had been busy untying himself. When the Kalamugan asked him to do thopukaranam he had freed himself completely and he sprang upon him and pushed him to the ground. The fire log that he held in his hand fell down but didn’t get extinguished. Vandiya Devan sat on the Kalamugan’s chest and pulled at his beard and hair that came away in his hand. The Kalamugan who had by then recovered from this surprise attack pushed Vandiya Devan away and got up. Vandiya Devan immediately took the fire log and held it to his face and was not surprised to see the familiar face of Azwarkadiyan Nambi beaming at him. They both burst out laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Vaishanavarey! How come you are lecturing me about not interfering in other people’s business when you are doing the same?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I didn’t court danger like you do. If I had not come here at the nick of the time, imagine what would have happened to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Oh! So you think that it was you who had untied my ropes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“No, but you can’t leave this forest without someone guiding you. You would have been hunted by wolves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Forget the wolves. If you had but seen the Mandiravadi’s wolves a little while ago… it’s a blessing that I escaped them unscathed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I know about them. Who else came with the Mandiravadi?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“A small fish had come along with him and it wanted to devour a tiger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Aha! Tell me what happened? Who came? What did they do? What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You tell me why you wore this disguise? Where were you this evening? What happened there? If you tell me about that I will tell you what happened here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I have nothing much to tell you. The Kalamugars had a meeting in the midnight by the Kollidam River. I wore this disguise to the meeting to see what’s happening there. I had thought that I would meet you near the ferry in the morning. Periya Pazhuvetarayar came for the meeting and the supreme Guru of Kalamugars too came but the one person that they were expecting didn’t come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“They were expecting Prince Madhuranthakar isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Yes… but how do you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“If Prince Madhuranthakar ascends the throne, I wonder how he can control this kingdom…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Why do you say so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“He can’t control a horse, then how can we expect him to control rebel lords like Pazhuvetarayar, bloodthirsty Kalamugars and skirmishing Vaishnavars like yourself…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Azhwarkadiyan laughed out aloud and asked, “Did you meet Madhuranthakar on the way? Do you know what happened to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Vandiya Devan narrated what he saw early in the evening about Madhuranthakar on the horse that bolted in fear when the firelog came near. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Poor Prince! I wonder where he is right now. I wonder where he fell when the horse bolted wildly. He might even be in danger of his life. That’s why he didn’t come for the Maha Sangam meeting today. Shall we go and search for him again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Very nice! How does that concern us? Are we not on a mission to reach Kanchi as soon as possible? Come now. Let us leave immediately. We need to be at Kollidam River by dawn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What if Madhuranthakar was lying in the fields or in the dead of the forest drenched in rain and mud? What if he is dying? Then too will you say that it’s none of our business?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You are imagining too much. These things will not happen. Anirudhar will take care of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Prime Minister Anirudhar? What does he know about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Aha! How can you say that? Anirudhar knows everything that happens in this Kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Then… he also knows what happened in Kadambur Palace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Do you remember we both stood by the road in Kadambur, while Pazhuvur queen’s palanquin passed us by?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Of course. I also remember how excited and restless you got when the screen of the Palanquin opened and you asked me to give her a message.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“And you thought that I intended to send some ‘love message’ to the Pazhuvur queen and admonished me saying, ‘How dare I ask you to do this sort of work?’ My message had no such love. Instead, I wished to warn Madhuranthakar, not to be taken in by the words of these rebel lords.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You knew even then that it was Prince Madhuranthakar inside the palanquin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I had a doubt and it got confirmed when the Prince peeked outside. You are a close-mouthed fellow. No matter how much I tried, you never revealed to me that it was not Nandini but the Prince inside the palanquin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You too are close-mouthed. Did you tell me where you were going when I asked you so many times in the afternoon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“If I had told you, you would have interfered in that matter as well. As such you courted so much trouble. Henceforth…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Does the Prime Minister know about the meeting that the Kalamugars had and the impending arrival of Prince Madhuranthakar?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Of course he knew! That’s why he sent me to attend the meeting. At the same time, he also would have sent somebody else to ensure that the Prince does not attend the meeting. You said that some servant held the firelight and that had frightened the horse; he was probably Anirudhar’s man. If the horse had thrown the prince somewhere in the forest, be rest assured he would have been rescued by the Prime Minister's men soon enough. By now, the Prince would be on his way to Thanjavur in a palanquin or a chariot. Come! Let us go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Vaishnavarey! I can’t come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What is this? What about our mission? I heard the news that the Prince has already left Kanchi. Shouldn’t we be hurrying along to intercept him before he reaches Kadambur…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You can give the message that Princess Kundavai has sent for her brother. Prince Karikalar is not like Madhuranthakar. He won’t be travelling by palanquin in the night, it wouldn’t be that difficult to meet him…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“And what do you plan to do instead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“To tell the truth, I didn’t follow Madhuranthakar into the forest. I was following somebody else and I came upon the Prince by a coincidence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“I know a bit of astrology, shall I test it on you? The person that you were following was a woman, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You truly have a wicked tongue and one of these days I am going to break that head of yours…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You can’t do that. I have already pledged this head of mine to a Kalamugan. Now you tell me who is this woman that you were following from Kudanthai?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Kodumbalur Princess Vanathi came to Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house. She left his house on her palanquin. I too left the Jodhidhar’s house after some time. I had no intention of following that crazy girl anywhere but the direction of our path was the same and I could see her palanquin being carried at a distance. That’s when I saw her being attacked by a group of men. They tied her companion to the tree and had driven away the palanquin bearers. Then they bore the palanquin away. Vaishnavarey! I am very worried about that girl. I want to find out what happened to her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Why are you so worried about that girl?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“How can you say that? She is after all the only daughter of Kodumbalur Siriya Vellar – the great warrior who lay down his life for the honour of Cholas. She is also the cherished companion of Princess Kundavai and there was also the rumour that she is the chosen bride of Ponniyin Selvar…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Ponniyin Selvar is dead and drowned in the sea… what is the point of discussing about his marriage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“There is nothing to prove that he is dead… it’s just a rumour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Then, in that case, you know for sure that he is alive?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Vaishnavarey! If you think that I will blurt out secrets to you, then you better forget it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Alright! Alright! I will not ask you anything. Don’t worry about Vanathi. Princess Kundavai loves her very much…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“That’s exactly why I am worried. Princess Kundavai doesn’t know that Vanathi is in such a danger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“If not today, she will know it tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What’s the point? What if the Kalamugars sacrifice this girl at their altar to please their God?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“You said that Kalamugars took Vanathi along?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“That’s how it looked. Vanathi’s companion also described them as Kalamugars.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“If that is true then you don’t have to worry about it at all. Kodumbalur clan are great patrons of Kalamugars. If they come to know that Vanathi is the Kodumbalur Princess they will accord royal treatment to her and offer her protection.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Really! I didn’t know that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“That’s why Kalamugars are strongly protesting against Prince Madhuranthakar as the next heir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Who cares if these skull bearing dreadlock Sanyasis protests against the Prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“That’s all you know. In this kingdom, many influential and prominent clans and lords are patrons of Kalamugars. Many army commanders belong to their sect. That’s why Pazhuvetarayar is courting their good will to support Madhuranthakar’s claim but that got foiled thanks to a horse. Now then, are you going to come with me or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Vandiya Devan hesitantly got up and untied his horse from the nearby tree and followed Azhwarkadiyan through the dense forest path. After a long while, they came out of the forest and found their way to the King’s road. Azhwarkadiyan looked up and pointed at the sky to Vandiya Devan. They could see the entire length and breath of the comet that had stretched from one end of the sky to the other. As they looked at it a cold wind blew across them and they could see a lone dog howling and crying at some distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-80628888968827937112016-10-13T21:46:00.001-07:002016-10-13T21:46:49.517-07:00Chapter 36: Someone in the Dark!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini accepted the sword from the child whom they called ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i>’ and held it close to her heart. Next, she embraced the child and breathed the scent of his hair while tears streamed from her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The rest of the gang looked on in surprise and shock, at the turn of the events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan then said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, I don’t think that ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i>’ has understood what we told him and gave the sword to you on a whim. Let us explain to him the consequences of his action and then try again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini opposed the suggestion and said, “No, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya</i>, no. Our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy </i>understands the consequences of his actions and that’s why he gave the sword to me. Do not worry about these tears of mine. I am merely happy that I have been given the opportunity to take vengeance for our noble king.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, when we are alive, how could we allow a woman to try to take on the first enemy. It isn’t right…” said Soman Sambavan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There is no cause to worry. This is my burden and my responsibility. Just because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i> has given the sword to me that doesn’t mean that the rest of you have no part in this. I want half of you to take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i> back to Pandavar mountains and the rest can come to Kadambur palace. Those of you who can gain entry into the palace can aid me in this mission of vengeance and the rest can wait outside with fast running horses. Once I complete the mission, we need to make an attempt to escape.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan came forward and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, I forgot to tell you something if you permit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Pazhuvetarayar is at the Kalamugar council meeting that is being held at the Kollidam River. I need to return to the Palace before the meeting ends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You said that our first enemy Aditya Karikalan would come to Kadambur Palace. I am not so sure about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you doubt so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“With reason <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>. I know for a fact that Princess Kundavai and Prime Minister Anirudhar have sent messages to the Crown Prince warning him not to come to Kadambur Palace at any cost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Did you think that I didn’t know about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You knew! Despite that you believe that he will come to Kadambur?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. He will surely come to Kadambur. That snake in Pazhaiarai doesn’t know about her own brother and nor does Anbil Brahmarakshan (Demon). I am surprised that even you, who often boast of being a sorcerer, can’t fathom our first enemy’s character. If someone were to go to Aditya Karikalan and tell him that ‘not’ to do something, that would be the first thing that he would go ahead and do. I know this for a fact. Aditya Karikalan is not a putty in Kundavai’s hand like Arul Mozhi Varman and nor is he a cowardly puppet like Madhuranthakan. If his sister and the Prime Minister have sent the message warning him to stay away from Kadambur, then for sure he would come there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Devi, that message will not reach Kanchi. I can guarantee that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What are you saying? Explain.” Asked Nandini sharply. There was a shrill anticipation in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, do you know who is taking this message to Karikalan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Not for sure but I can guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Good! There is no need to guess. We have brought him here. We caught him red-handed trying to escape with our ‘Chakravarthy’. He already knows all our secrets and now he knows more. If we show any more mercy to him it would lead to our destruction for sure. Edupankari! Bring that spy here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edupankari and two others went towards the dilapidated temple. Nandini looked at the direction with bated breath. The serious tones of her face relaxed and a seductive smile bloomed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edupankari sprang on our hero suddenly and pulled him upright. Tired, exhausted and half drowsy with sleep, Vandiya Devan woke up with a start. At first, he thought of resisting Edupankari and his friends and then good sense prevailed. He stayed still and allowed himself to be led to the clearing. He wanted to see what they would do with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan smiled at Nandini, who looked peaceful and serene with nary an emotion on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8m3ChEWTug/WABiz8K4PGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/P7alhjhJdlMERbTG6682bO5bJinD4vLpACLcB/s1600/Nandini_in_forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8m3ChEWTug/WABiz8K4PGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/P7alhjhJdlMERbTG6682bO5bJinD4vLpACLcB/s320/Nandini_in_forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya</i>… yet again we meet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">devi</i>, I have come again, but I didn’t come here by choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child then told Nandini, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amma</i>! This man has got a good horse. Can you ask him to give it to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! Come with me. I will take you far away on my horse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan’s enraged face loomed in front of Vandiya Devan and he shouted hoarsely, “You! Shut your mouth!” and then he turned towards Nandini and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, what are your orders?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini was unperturbed by this exchange, she calmly asked, “How did he come here and when?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“This scoundrel was trying to escape with our ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i>’ when he took refuge in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i> to get away from the rain. Thankfully we arrived there on time to stop it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini looked at Vandiya Devan and asked, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya</i>, is this true?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Only you can decide whether your people speak lies or the truth. How would I know?” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini’s smile vanished immediately and she became serious. She turned towards Ravidasan and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya</i>! I request you and your men to withdraw for a while and give us some privacy. I wish to speak to him alone. Take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i> also along with you.” And then she bent down and told the child, “My sweet! Go with them for a little while. I will speak to him and get his horse for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan acceded to her request and took the child with him and signalled his gang to withdraw to a respectful distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini looked at Vandiya Devan and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya</i>! I think there is a bond between us…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, That is so true! That bond is very strong and very tight indeed and it has bound my body and arms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I would suggest that you stop fooling around thus. I am no mood for such humours! Tell me plainly, how did you come here? Did you come on your own accidentally or deliberately?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I didn’t come here by choice or on my own. Your men brought me here. If they had not interfered I would have reached the banks of Kollidam hours ago,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I understand that you find it abhorrent to your senses to meet me and you want to leave me and escape as soon as you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are wrong. Meeting you is by no means, a difficult proposition but leaving you is. If you say ‘yes’ I will strike down that old Pazhuvetarayar and this murderous gang of thieves with one stroke of my sword and take you away from here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Where would you take me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I will take you to your mother who roams through the forests of Elangai like a mad woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini sighed sorrowfully and said, “Do you want me to roam around like her lost and helpless? Who knows I might even agree to your proposal and come away with you? If I need to see my mother, I will surely request you, one day but before that my wishes need to be fulfilled. Will help me fulfil them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Devi, If I know what you wishes are, then I can tell you whether I can help fulfil them or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Those who bear true love for me in their hearts will not talk thus. They will agree to help no matter what those wishes are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, those who bear true love in their hearts will also try to warn you about the dangerous path that you are treading. These scoundrels are using you to fulfil some dangerous scheme and will abandon you once they achieve their purpose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Wrong! It is I who is using them to achieve my purpose. I wish that you understand this well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They have brought this child from some forest and are fooling you with lies and falsehoods…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you know why we need this child?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You wish to crown him as the King of Pandyas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Wrong! He will not be just the King of Pandyas. He will rule over the land from River Tungabhadra to Elangai. He will ascend the Chola throne and rule over this kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My God! What a grand scheme indeed? May I ask, how you are going to achieve this? Let me guess! With the help of this gang of murderers and thieves? Do you know that each wing of Chola army has over 20 lakhs of soldiers? And do you think you can vanquish such a great army with the help of this gang that hides itself during the day and comes out bravely during the night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I don’t depend only on them. I have this sword. I have more trust in this than anybody else. I intend to fulfil my wishes with the help of this sword.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, you will never use that sword. Your hands do not have the strength to wield a sword, such as this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why do you say that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I don’t know. I felt that you wouldn’t be able to use the sword.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can prove your statement false, right here, right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If that is so, then I am lucky indeed. It would be my good fortune to die at the hands of a beautiful woman.” Said Vandiya Devan and bent his head inviting Nandini to behead him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You wish to get beheaded? Truly? Don’t want to get crowned by me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How many people do you intend to crown <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have the power to decide who get to wear the crown.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then, what will happen to this child?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It is entirely within my power to decide whether I want to crown him or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, feel free to crown whomsoever you wish but do spare me the honour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Many have complimented the beauty of my curling locks of hair. I do not wish to cover it with a crown.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Looks like you will not ever get serious about anything. Alright! Do tell me one thing? What did Princess Kundavai do when she heard that her brother is missing in the sea? Did she grieve a lot?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was astonished by the sudden change of subject. Nonetheless, he recovered quickly and said, “Of course. She was very sad. I don’t think all women are heartless in this world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I also heard that Kodumbalur Princess tried to give up her life by drowning in the lake? Who saved her in the end?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This reminded Vandiya Devan about Vanathi’s fate in the forest. He wondered what might have happened to her and whether she would have escaped the clutches of her kidnappers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini persisted with her questions in a serious tone. “Alright! Looks like you will not answer any of those questions. Let me ask you plainly. Do you intend to stop Princes Aditya Karikalar from coming to Kadambur?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. I am going to try.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What if I tell you that it would be impossible for you to do so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, I am not saying that I can do it, I can only attempt to stop him. If the Prince decides to do something, it is impossible to change his mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You seem to know the Prince’s character all too well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And you seem to know him better than anybody else in this world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright! No matter what, you will not join me will you? You will take sides with my enemy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>, who is your enemy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who is my enemy? Don’t you know? That arrogant Princess in Pazhaiarai is my enemy. Who else?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Devi, that’s your imagination. I need to tell you an important truth about…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Enough! Save your breath. I know what kind of truth would come out of your mouth. The only truth that you can utter is the one that is coated with falsehoods and lies.” Said Nandini angrily and clapped her hands. Ravidasan and his gang came near them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan felt that he had not used the opportunity of a private talk with Nandini to impress the truth upon her. He wondered whether she would ask her men to kill him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh! God! Is this your will? Will I be killed ingloriously in the hands of this murderous gang?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan and his gang surrounded them and to Vandiya Devan they resembled hungry wolves intent upon their prey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My Queen! No matter what you tell him, he will never join us. I suggest that you leave now. It is way past the time you return. We will sacrifice him in this holy battlefield and leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mandiravadi</i>! Be warned! That is not what I wish. Do not lay a hand upon him. If you do, I will cut you into half with this sword of mine.” Growled Nandini.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan and his gang watched Nandini’s aggression with open-mouthed astonishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I do not want him harmed. He is useful to me in more ways than you can fathom. He is free to leave whenever he wishes. Please do not stop him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Devi, we are here to carry out your wishes but is it advisable to allow him to leave first? He has a horse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright! Tie him to that pillar. It will take a while before he unties himself and by then we would have cleared the forest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Acceding to her wishes, Ravidasan’s gang tied him to the pillar of the temple and his horse was tied to a nearby tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nandini got into her palanquin and was borne away through the dense forest path. Ravidasan’s men took the throne inside the temple and then hurried away through the same forest path. With no firelight, the darkness enveloped Vandiya Devan and soon he began to wonder whether all these scenes that he witnessed were a figment of his imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A few bats took flight from the nearby tree completing the eerie picture of forest to the hilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A lone wolf howled at some distance and soon it was heard nearby. Vandiya Devan remembered the terrible wolf dream that he had while he was at Kadambur where thousands of wolves had surrounded him from all directions and were trying to devour him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He tried to untie his bonds but Ravidasan had tied him a tad too securely this time. With no light to guide him, he was finding it difficult to untie the ropes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suddenly he heard a sound. It sounded like a man’s footsteps. His horse neighed sensing danger. Something appeared darker than the forest around and it was coming towards him. Is it an animal or a man or could it be something else?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan steeled his body and waited until ‘it’ approached him closer and then kicked it with all his strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">‘It’ fell down with a shout that seemed almost human and then seemed to crawl away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon he could hear the sound of a stone being scratched and a firelog was being lit. There was a light at the entrance of the temple and someone was coming towards him. Vandiya Devan tried to turn around and see who it was?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He came close to Vandiya Devan and held the fire log up to see his face. It was a Kalamuga Saivar with matted hair and a massive beard.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-91945274576556894382016-09-30T07:17:00.000-07:002016-10-01T04:35:28.749-07:00Chapter 35: Time is near<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USJyt_5z1mc/V-5tW6SwsbI/AAAAAAAAF_E/NKzexyXYp40cJJZeBRLNbX2iPP0QGXr5QCLcB/s1600/Nandini_with_sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USJyt_5z1mc/V-5tW6SwsbI/AAAAAAAAF_E/NKzexyXYp40cJJZeBRLNbX2iPP0QGXr5QCLcB/s320/Nandini_with_sword.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Built hundred years ago, (at the time of our story) we have seen the memorial temple of Ganga King earlier when the Pandya conspirators met to discuss their next move even while Azhwarkadiyan was spying on them. Ravidasan and his gang along with the boy and Vandiya Devan reached the same place that night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They dumped Vandiya Devan along with his horse near one end of the wall that was half dilapidated and said, “You can sit here awhile. Don’t even think of escaping. It is impossible. Only those who are familiar with this forest can hope to cross it over. If you still dare to escape, you will die for sure.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh yes! I am sure you will work some sorcery and kill me!” said Vandiya Devan cheekily and laughed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Laugh! Laugh Well!” said Ravidasan and laughed as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A wolf howled at a distance and an owl hooted in response. Vandiya Devan looked around and noted that the dense forest trees had shielded its surroundings from the rain. Though a few patches of ground were wet but largely, the forest was so dense and thick that the thundering rain that had soaked him to the bone had not flooded the place. He removed his upper garment and dried on the stone wall. He sat down with his back on the wall and watched the clearing, where the rest of the gang was assembled. Ravidasan had however left a guard with him to ensure that he wouldn’t escape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan’s gang was sitting on the ground talking amongst themselves. One of them ventured inside the memorial temple and carried an old throne decorated with gilded gold and bronze. The child whom they called ‘Chakravarthy’ (emperor) was made to sit on the throne. Next, they put out the firelights that they carried, all except two to give out a dim light. The smoke from the extinguished firelight enveloped the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why is the Rani so late?” asked one of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She can come only when the time is right. I told her to come late in the night. There is still time. Until then, can someone sing the songs of Pandya Empire?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hearing this, Edupankari took out a small drum and started playing it and Devaralan started singing a song. The low tone of his voice and the rhythmic beat of the drum made his sad song more poignant than ever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vandiya Devan who was watching all this intently closed his eyes for a while. The melancholy of the song lulled him into a drowsy sleep even as he realised that Devaralan was singing about the terrible war that was fought at the same spot that they were sitting on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes. That’s where Varaguna Pandyan and Aparajitha Pallavan had fought for three long hard days. To aid the Pallavan, Ganga King Prathivipathy had come with his army and fell prey to the ferocity of Pandya assault. This war memorial that was built to glorify the Ganga King’s brave deeds and today, it has become a home for these cowardly conspirators.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the fall of the Ganga King, the Pallavan army disintegrated completely and a Pandya victory seemed imminent. That’s when the Chola army came to aid the Pallavas. At the head of the army was the old wizened warrior who bore 99 battle scars on his body – King Vijayalaya Chola. Paralysed in both his legs, four men bore the warrior on their shoulders and brought him to the battlefield. Unsheathing two long swords, the old warrior created havoc among the warring army. Wherever he went, scores and scores of soldiers fell down like flies. The Pallava army that had disintegrated came together to watch Vijayalaya Chola create history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He could see the swordplay of the old warrior and the flood of blood right behind him. Drums were beating urgently while horses and elephants beat a retreat. The Pandya army that had almost tasted victory was now trying to flee the scene with their lives intact. And even as they retreated, the Pallavas and the Cholas were intent on extracting their revenge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t let them flee! Get them!” they shouted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pandya soldiers fled the scene screaming ‘Ayyo! Ayyo!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the din of the battle grew louder and louder, the Pallavas and the Cholas emerged victoriously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vandiya Devan woke up with a start. He looked around and realised that he had fallen asleep to the song that Devaralan was singing and had seen the war play out in his dreams. The song was still going on… extolling the bravery of Pandyas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly Edupankari stopped playing the drums. They could see a firelight approaching the clearing from a distance. Few men were carrying a veiled palanquin. They neared the clearing and kept their burden down. A woman emerged out of the palanquin. It was Nandini Devi but she looked different today. Unlike the other times when she was adorned with flowers, jewels and silk, this time, her hair was free of any restraint. To Vandiya Devan’s eyes, she looked like Durga who had vanquished the hoard of asuras.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her appearance disturbed Vandiya Devan and his limbs shivered when she approached the throne where the child was sitting. Everyone’s attention was riveted by her appearance and they looked at her with stunned silence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The woman who had accompanied the child, whom he called as his mother was also present behind the throne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nandini approached the throne and then opened her arms to the child. The child looked at her and his mother behind and said, “You are my mother aren’t you? She is not my mother is she?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes! My sweet.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why does she say that she is my mother then?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She is the mother who brought you up?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why didn’t you bring me up then? Why didn’t you keep me with you? Why is she keeping me in a mountain, away from you?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My sweet! You have been kept away from me because we need you to be safe to fulfil your father’s wishes and to seek vengeance against those who killed him in cold blood.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, I know about that.” Said the child and went near Nandini.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nandini embraced him lovingly and breathed the scent of his hair. The child too held on to her tightly not wanting to let go her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nandini prised open his hands by force and freed herself and then led the child to the throne and made him sit on it. Next, she went near the palanquin and took out a sword that we have already seen. She then asked the palanquin bearers to wait at a distance and then came back to the child and placed the sword on the throne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The child looked at the sword with admiration and said, “Can I hold it?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Very soon my Child. You will need to wait.” She said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then she looked at Ravidasan and his gang and asked, “Do we have anybody here who hasn’t taken the holy oath?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No Devi!” said Soman Sambavan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She then looked Ravidasan and said, “Senathipathy!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan laughed thunderously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unperturbed by his reaction, Nandini said, “Today you might feel like laughing but by next month, you might see our plans come to fruition.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Devi! We have been waiting for you announce this for many years now.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ayya! We are but a mere handful. Our Chakravarthy is just a child. Chola Empire is large and powerful. Their army has countless soldiers. If we had rushed through our plans, all would have been lost. Now the time is ripe to seek vengeance. Ravidasarey! Do you have anything to say or ask? Does anybody here want to ask me questions?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan looked at his gang but none seemed to have any questions to ask.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Devi! We have no questions to ask. We are eager to hear when we will be exacting our vengeance upon these Cholas. When? Where? Who? How?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Alright. I came here to give you news about it. That’s why I called everybody here. That’s why I also wanted our Chakravarthy to come here.” Said Nandini and paused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everybody’s attention was upon her now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Some of you were impatient. You wanted immediate results. Some of you also feared that I might have forgotten the oath that swore upon our King’s dead body. You didn’t know that I had more reasons to remember my oath every second of my life. For the past three years, I have been plotting each and every move of ours so that it helps our cause. I have no other thought left in my mind but this. The time to strike has finally arrived. Today powerful noble families and influential noblemen are split into two groups. Sambuverayar and his supporters want Madhuranthakan as the next King while Malaimaan and Kodumbalur Vellar are against them. I also heard that Kodumbalur Vellar is bringing his army to Thanjavur to make sure they don’t crown Madhuranthakan. Malaimaan too is raising an army to support his grandson’s claim and at any time a war seems imminent between these two groups.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Devi! We heard that you are also trying your utmost to broker peace between these two groups. I heard that you have invited both the parties to Kadambur Palace to talk and negotiate an agreement?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s right. I had organised these peace talks. Can you guess why?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No Devi! Who can indeed fathom what lies beneath the depth of a woman’s heart?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’ true. It is indeed impossible. I will tell you. If a fratricidal war breaks out before our mission is complete then we can’t really predict the outcome. Sundara Cholan is still alive and so is his Prime Minister Anbil Brahmarayan. They would intervene and pacify both the groups. Even if one group wins the war and the other loses, our wishes and intentions will not be fulfilled. That’s why I called for these peace talks. We need to fulfil our mission and take our vengeance before the war starts. Once we do that, a civil war would begin in earnest that would destroy the Chola clan from head to foot. Now do you understand?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When they heard of Nandini’s plan, they shook their head in surprise and expressed their happiness. Some spoke amongst themselves and shook their head expressing their approval of her intelligent plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Devi! We are in awe of your brilliant mind and the plan that you have put in place. We want to know when we will be putting our plan to action? You said that the date has neared? When will we be doing it and who will do it?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s the purpose of these peace talks. I have called our first enemy to Kadambur Palace under the pretext of a peace agreement. He will come there for sure. That’s where we will fulfil the holy oath that we swore upon our King’s body. Today is Saturday. By next Saturday, trust me, our first enemy would be dead!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nandini’s words had a ripple effect on the gang that was gathered there. Some shouted their encouragement and approval while some clamped their hands on their thighs and gave their approval. Edupankari enthusiastically drummed a small beat on the hand drum!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The unusual sounds of such cheer roused some bats in the nearby tree and they took flight eerily. Vandiya Devan couldn’t hear the conversation that was taking place at the clearing but even he could discern that Nandini had given some good news to Ravidasan’s gang.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan stood up and raised his hands to signal silence and then turned towards Nandini.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Devi! Your last words have filled us with eagerness and hope. We never thought that we would ever see the day when our oath would be fulfilled. I wish to know who get the honour of fulfilling our oath.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I am not surprised at this question. It is but natural that each one of you would want to be the sword to strike down the enemy. That’s why I asked you to bring the heir of Veera Pandian here and here is his father’s sword. Let the child decide who deserves the honour of seeking vengeance at his father’s killer and hand over the sword to them. The rest of us will stay close to that person and aid him in whatever way possible. If that person fails in his mission then we should be ready to fulfil it somehow. I will be inside Kadambur Palace and Edupankari is one of the guards there. We will help you to get inside the Palace. Do these arrangements meet with your approval?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan and his gang nodded their assent and said, “Your arrangements are fine Devi. There is, however, one more thing. Whoever Chakravarthy selects to fulfil the oath will emerge as the undisputed leader of this gang. The rest of us should and must listen to him no matter what.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nandini’s face broke into a mesmerising smile after hearing this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You wish to bind me too into agreeing to this don’t you?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, Devi! You are one of us hence we cannot differentiate.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Alright. I agree. Do you all agree with what Ravidasan just said?” asked Nandini</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the gang looked at each other and hesitated. Soman Sambavan stood up and said, “How is it possible? Nandini Devi has been helping us for so long. How can we force her to accept somebody’s orders?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please do not worry about me. I have been living only to see our oath fulfilled. I would happily be the slave of anyone who fulfils it for me, willing to listen to him all through my life.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next, she turned towards the child who had been avidly listening and watching the entire scene though it was doubtful whether he understood anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My sweet! This is your brave father’s sword. Take it in your small hands and give it to the one whom you like a lot.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan came near the child and said, “Chakravarthy! Take a good look at each one of us. You need to give the sword to whoever you think is bravest here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cowed down by Ravidasan’s scarlet eyes, the child looked around at the rest of the gang.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone stood up and came near the child. There was an air of expectancy and a hushed silence fell over them as their eyes begged the child entreating him silently to give the sword to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ravidasan’s red-rimmed eyes looked at the child with menacing authority as if commanding him to hand over the sword to him.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nc4xFq33CAE/V-5zVARH2MI/AAAAAAAAF_k/_JdNQRi-mXInfZrwhtFDLZlGTQNCCR8MwCLcB/s1600/Nandini_sword-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nc4xFq33CAE/V-5zVARH2MI/AAAAAAAAF_k/_JdNQRi-mXInfZrwhtFDLZlGTQNCCR8MwCLcB/s320/Nandini_sword-2.jpg" width="235" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The child looked at everyone again and then took the long sword in his hands. The excitement among Ravidasan’s gang mounted. Instantly the child turned towards Nandini and said, “Amma! I like you more than anybody else here. I want you to rule my Kingdom until I come of age,” and handed over the sword to her.</span></div>
Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-77545312810051431422016-09-17T20:11:00.000-07:002016-09-17T20:11:11.963-07:00Chapter 34: Firelight Extinguishes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uL_oHKqVPlE/V94EsqLmLOI/AAAAAAAAF9s/w1PeDoLMO8wmqkYAvYxL-Q6u9RZt9ptUgCLcB/s1600/Vanathi_Madhu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uL_oHKqVPlE/V94EsqLmLOI/AAAAAAAAF9s/w1PeDoLMO8wmqkYAvYxL-Q6u9RZt9ptUgCLcB/s320/Vanathi_Madhu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was Amavasya, the dark night. Dark clouds threatening to pour down anytime, hid the stars well enough and not a glimmer of light could be seen anywhere. The only light that was available was through a group of glow-worms that were hovering around the bushes. Vandiya Devan rode steadily through the forest path without any idea as to where he was headed and whether he would be able to save Princess Vanathi at all. Despite these misgivings, he forged ahead. He knew that Princess Kundavai loved Vanathi more than her life and if he didn’t make an attempt to rescue her he would regret it for the rest of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even after riding the horse for almost one hour through the forest path, he couldn’t find out where Vanathi’s captors had taken her palanquin. As he pondered the situation, he also wondered whether he was again embroiled in something that was not his business in the first place. He stopped the horse for a while wondering what to do next. At the same time, he heard a slight noise at a distance. It seemed like the sound that a trot of a slow horse. Could it be Vanathi’s captors guarding her palanquin behind? He followed the sound of the horse slowly and stealthily. Soon it became apparent that he was following a single lone horse and not a handful of people carrying a palanquin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon the horse was on a higher ground like the banks of the river. Vandiya Devan didn’t follow the horse there wishing to remain hidden in the lower ground. He got down from his horse and waited beneath the tree, all the while keeping the other horse in sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who’s there?” asked a voice. Vandiya Devan was startled out of his wits because it was a voice that he had heard before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Maharaja! It’s me, your slave!” said yet another voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon there was firelight at the place where the lone horseman and his slave were standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan could clearly see who it was. It was Prince Madhuranthakan on the horse and an unknown manservant holding a fire torch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The man lifted the torch high up lighting up the area around him and that’s when it happened. The horse reared its legs in fear and sprang ahead in the riverbank. The man holding the firelight frightened by the horse’s action tried to run after the horse shouting ‘Maharaja! Mahraja!’ but slipped and fell and his firelight extinguished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan knew that Madhuranthakan was not skilled enough to ride a horse in the first place. It would be far too much to expect that he would be able to bring the beast under control especially when it was galloping wildly in fear. He worried whether the Prince would survive this adventure unhurt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What if he falls down from the horse and hurts himself? Would that manservant save him? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next he wondered what he should be doing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Should I go in search of Vanathi or should I hasten to help Prince Madhuranthakan?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I don’t know where Vanathi was taken but Prince Madhuranthakan fell in danger right in front of my eyes. Let me follow his horse and ensure that he is unharmed and then I can go in search of Vanathi. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My God! Didn’t I make a resolution not to interfere in matters that do not concern me? What did I decide and what am I doing now?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He mounted his horse again and started towards the direction that the Prince’s horse had gone. He spurred his horse to climb the high ground and neared the banks but couldn’t find the Prince or the manservant who was with him. He could hear a medley mix of unknown sounds emanating at a distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He decided the follow the sound and entered a narrow forest path near the riverbank. At the same time, nature sought to make his mission more difficult and it started drizzling. He traveled slowly through the narrow path and every minute seemed like an hour to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon it started raining in earnest but that didn’t deter Vandiya Devan present quest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why did Prince Madhuranthakan come here alone on a horse? Who was that man who accosted him with the firelight?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Could there be any connection between Vanathi’s kidnapping and Madhuranthakan’s appearance in the forest?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why am I embroiled in these affairs? I should be trying to find the King’s road and head towards Kanchi instead of searching for this Prince and Princess?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then he reasoned to himself that it wouldn’t be possible to find the King’s road in this rain anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who is to say that I shouldn’t interfere in these affairs anyway? Didn’t it prove beneficial at a later day that I was able to overhear the entire conspiracy meeting that Pazhuvur Lord and Sambuverayar held in Kadambur?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When he rain started coming down upon him very heavily, he decided to abort the foolhardy mission and try to find a place to escape the shower. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If the horse slipped and fell down, then his entire journey was at a risk!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At that time, a lightening struck on the sky and in that he managed to see a lone horse standing on the banks of the river. He turned his horse again and headed towards the river bank. Before he could near it, another lightening struck and the horse reared again in fear and started galloping. By the time Vandiya Devan neared the place, the horse was gone but he looked around in the surrounding hoping that Madhuranthakan might have fallen down somewhere nearby. He thought it would be beneficial to help the Prince especially when he was in need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who knows, it might help me in future?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He called out for the Prince ‘Who’s there? Is anyone here?’ but the steady drip of the rain drowned his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With the rain intensifying and the wind turning direction, Vandiya Devan felt that it was pointless to stay there. He decided to turn back and remonstrated himself for his lack of self-control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No more distractions! No point in wasting one’s time in pointless quests. I have an important mission in hand and I need to reach Kanchi as soon as possible!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With the rain pouring down in sheets, he followed the horse’s natural instinct to get shelter and soon they were headed towards a dilapidated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i> in the middle of the forest. His clothes were dripping wet and he entered the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i> to check if there was some place where he could get dry and even possibly spend the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And that’s when Vandiya Devan almost jumped out of his skin. Why? Not because he encountered or a ghost or a wraith but because he heard the tender voice of a small boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Amma! Amma!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was frightened for a second. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How could a young boy’s voice be heard here, in the middle of the forest path?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But the boy was persistently crying for his mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Amma! Amma!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Curious to learn as to who the boy was, Vandiya Devan entered the mandapam and look around in the dark. He stopped in the direction, from which the voice was heard and asked loudly, “Who is there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child asked back, “Who is there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan said, “It’s me. Who are you? What are you doing in the dark? Come out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It’s raining outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Where is my mother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Your mother has gone to fetch some milk for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No she has not. You are lying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Are you going to come out or not? Or shall I come in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If you come inside, I have a sword and I will slay you with it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My God! Looks like you are a great warrior. Why don’t you come outside and show your prowess?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who are you? Are you a tiger?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not a tiger. I am a horse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are lying. Will a horse talk?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Would a tiger talk then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My mother told me that if I come outside there might be a tiger that might pounce on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not a tiger and I will not pounce on you. Come out and don’t fear me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Fear? I have no fear.” Said the boy and came out of the dark interiors of the mandapam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By then the rain had subsided and the clouds had passed over revealing the stars. In the dim light of the stars, Vandiya Devan saw the child. He was a four-year old boy who was not only beautiful but also richly dressed in silk and a gold <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">haram</i> studded with precious gems. The boy was obviously the child of a rich family and a powerful clan but how did he come here? Who would have left the child here alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By then, the child came near Vandiya Devan and looked at him intently and said, “You don’t look like a horse. You look like a man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan pointed to his horse tied outside and said, “There is the horse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh! You have brought the horse for me is it? But they said that a palanquin will arrive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child’s response aroused many doubts in Vandiya Devan’s mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who is this child? Why is he alone here? How come this child is so unafraid of anything? Who was planning to bring a palanquin for the child? Why didn’t it come? Where is the child’s mother? Why did she leave him alone?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Child! Why did your mother leave you here and go away?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I saw a horse and I told my mother I would like to mount it but she forbid me from doing so. I waited for a while and left her silently to catch the horse. Is this the same horse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. This is a different horse. And then how did you come here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I searched for the horse. I couldn’t find it and nor could I find my mother. It was raining heavily so I came to this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Were you not afraid of the dark?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What’s there to be afraid? I live in the dark all the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are not afraid of the tiger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Only my mother is afraid of tigers. I am a fish. I will swallow the tiger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ah! How can a fish swallow the tiger?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HL2uu6mvKw/V94Ew44F8XI/AAAAAAAAF94/F6aJsv72O10uMlqOnOQLehqnR5AeMXkuQCEw/s1600/Tiger_fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HL2uu6mvKw/V94Ew44F8XI/AAAAAAAAF94/F6aJsv72O10uMlqOnOQLehqnR5AeMXkuQCEw/s320/Tiger_fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am not a small fish. I am a whale. I am big enough to swallow tiger, lion and elephant too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan’s mind was clouded with doubts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is indeed a very big fish that could swallow an elephant and a tiger! Who would have taught this child such a thing?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There! What’s that sound?” asked the boy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan looked in the direction and found that a few people were coming towards the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i>. In their midst, there was a palanquin borne by bearers. The rest of the people seemed to be searching for someone as they shouted, “There! He is there! Here! Here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There! They are coming. They are bringing the palanquin too but I hate to travel in it. Will you take me in your horse instead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child’s face, talk and his overall personality was so magnetic that Vandiya Devan was tempted to take him away but he was also curious to know more about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have important work elsewhere.” He said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Where are you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am going to Kanchi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Kanchi! That’s where my first enemy lives!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was more than startled now. He then realized that he was courting grave danger even as he stood next to the child. But there was no time to escape. The crowd of people searching for the child arrived at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam</i>. He also wanted to know more about these people who would teach a child such unusual things. He left the child and walked to the darkest part of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam </i>and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child followed him with his eyes and then called out to the people who were coming inside the mandapam, “I am here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the head of the crowd there was a woman who came rushing inside the mandapam. Her breath was coming in gasps as if she had been running for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">She rushed to the child and held him tight and said, “Pandya! How can you do something like this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next a man came near the child and his mother. It was Ravidasan. He said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i>! How can you scare us thus?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child laughed merrily and said, “Yes. That’s how I will scare you. I asked for a horse, why did you get the palanquin for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even as he spoke the rest of the people who had come in search of the boy gathered at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mandapam – </i>Soman Sambavan, Edupankari, Deveralan and others members of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pandya Abathu Udavi</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chakravarthy</i>! Why worry about one horse? I will get you thousands and ten thousand horses very soon. But just for today, I beg you, please get inside the palanquin.” Said Soman Sambavan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No. I will come in that horse.” Said the child and pointed towards Vandiya Devan’s horse that they had failed to notice earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s when they saw Vandiya Devan behind the horse. Ravidsan’s face reflected disbelief, anger and fear in equal measures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He took a step towards him and said, “You! Scoundrel! How did you come here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You! Ghost! When did you come back from Kodi Karai?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan started laughing and said, “Did you really think that I was a ghost?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Some become a ghost after they die but you have become one even while you are alive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child interjected then and said, “Don’t fight with him. I like him very much. He stayed with me when it was dark. He said that he would kill the tiger if it comes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan said to the child, “If that is so, then we will definitely take him along with us but only if you get into the palanquin for one day today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child immediately got into the palanquin and sat inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ravidasan looked at Vandiya Devan and said, “What are you going to do now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s up to you isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Join us. You know everything about us now. We can’t afford to let you go free.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If I refuse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Impossible. We know that you are a brave warrior but even you can’t resist twenty of us. You can’t escape us now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You mean I can’t escape with my life intact.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You are young. You haven’t experienced any good things in this life. Why do you wish to give up your life in vain?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s true. I don’t want to give up my life in vain. You are asking me to join you, where are you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ah! That’s my boy. We are going to Pazhuvur Elaya Rani Nandini Devi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh! I thought so. Where is Nandini Devi?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“She would have reached Thirupurampayam by now. Will you come with us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I too am headed in that direction and I was worried that I didn’t know how to get there. Thank God! You people came. Come let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They left the place immediately. Ravidasan and his gang surrounded the palanquin and Vandiya Devan in the midst followed them on his horse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was plagued with worries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What about Vanathi’s fate? What about Madhuranthakan? What will happen to them? What about me? What’s going to happen to me? That too is a mystery<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite his worries, Vandiya Devan felt sure that he was about to learn many more mysteries that would surpass the conspiracy that he stumbled upon in Kadambur. The things that he learned in Kadambur proved to be helpful during his mission in Thanjavur but what will happen today? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will this gang allow me to leave after learning all their secrets? No. They would again try to persuade me to join them and if I say ‘no’ they will try to sacrifice me for their cause. Maybe I could invoke Nandini’s pity yet again…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When Vandiya Devan thought about Nandini he could only wonder about his own helplessness at the face of her beauty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How quickly did I agree to go along with them right after I learned that we are going to meet her? Elders in the family often talk about ‘Maya’ and I am surely caught in its web. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He was also aware of the fact that Nandini was involved in a deadly plot against the Cholas yet he seemed to find it difficult to bypass a chance to meet her again. Nonetheless it would have been foolish to fight with these twenty people. It would be more prudent to accede to their demands while looking for a chance to escape. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the meantime, I will get a chance to learn more about them, which would prove to be useful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The child’s words reverberated through his mind. “Kanchi! That’s where my first enemy lives!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who would teach the child such words? Why does this gang call him ‘Chakravarthy’? What did the child mean when he said, ‘First Enemy’?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">His speculations about these questions swirled through his mind indicating just how dangerous his own situation would become if his surmise about the boy were true!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even while he was thinking about it, they reached Thirupurampayam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-38572766909216074832016-08-28T22:45:00.000-07:002016-08-28T22:45:01.708-07:00Chapter 33: Vanathi Seeks Help<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Ayya! Why are you so angry with me? What harm have I ever done to you?” asked Vanathi and her soft feeble voice melted Vandiya Devan’s heart. He began to wonder why he was angry with this Princess in the first place. Then he remembered Poonguzhali and wondered whether there was any justification to hate Vanathi just because she too loved the Prince.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! Forgive me! It was not my intention to hurt your feelings. I only meant that I would be happy to wait for you outside the hut, while you consult the astrologer. I am not in a hurry to leave hence I can await your pleasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There is no need for you to wait outside. I am happy to learn that you are not in a hurry though. In truth, I didn’t come here to consult the astrologer. I have no faith in his astrology anymore…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi!</i> No matter what you think of me today, I am positive that one day you will remember me when my predictions come true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanathi said, “I doubt that” and turned towards Vandiya Devan, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya!</i> I stepped into this hut just to have a word with you. I saw you on the road and thought that you might stop the horse and speak to me but you seemed angry for some reason and galloped away. I am not surprised by your actions because why would you care about an orphaned girl anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Emotionally moved by her words, Vandiya Devan emphatically said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! How could you such words? You are the adopted daughter of your uncle Budhi Vikrama Kesari and the cherished companion of Princess Kundavai. I felt that it might be not be courteous to stop and speak with you while on the road. Please forgive me if I had offended you. If you think that I can help in any way, I would be glad to do it…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes. I need your help. I came here just to seek assistance from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If it is within my powers to help you, I would be happy to do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is there anything that you cannot do? I have heard all about your adventures when you were in Elangai. Would you promise me that you would help me for sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan with a great deal of hesitation said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! If you can tell me what sort of assistance you require, then I can help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright. I will tell you about it. It doesn’t matter if our astrologer also gets to know of it. I have decided to join the faith of Buddha and become a Bikshuni (female monk).”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What? What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What is this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How can this be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Never!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You can’t do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“This will never happen!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kudanthai Jodhidhar and Vandiya Devan declared their reactions to Vanathi’s startling decision thus but the Kodumbalur Princess went on to say, “Yes I have decided to give up on this world and embrace the faith of Buddha. Why do you object to my decision? So many women in our Kingdom have become Bikshunis and dedicated their life to the teaching of Buddha. In the Sangam era didn’t Madhavi’s daughter Manimeghalai join the faith of Buddha? Don’t we revere her as ‘Manimegala Deivam’ today? I tried to end my life and failed. Maybe God wishes me to be alive for some more time. Whatever else is left in my life, I wish to dedicate it to Lord Buddha and immerse myself in work that would give me peace. Will you help in this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A germ of doubt appeared in Vandiya Devan’s mind that startled him out of his wits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! Your decision is most unfair, however I have no right to object or protest against it. Members of your family should advice you regarding this. I have heard that your uncle is returning from Elangai and will be here soon…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I don’t intend to wait for my uncle and I don’t want anybody’s advice. I have made my decision. Will you help me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“In what way, can I help you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I wish to go to Nagapatinam’s Choodamani Viharam. I wanted to meet the monks and learn the ways of their faith. Would you escort me there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was properly shocked now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This Kodumbalur Princess is very clever indeed! She has obviously overheard the conversation between Kundavai and myself. Maybe she wants to learn more about what she heard or she wishes me to confirm the Prince’s whereabouts through a farcical lie.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! Forgive me but I don’t think I can help you in this matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How strange? I thought nothing is impossible for a warrior who went to Elangai on a tough mission. Can’t you escort this poor orphaned girl to Nagapattinam?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It’s not an impossible task <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i> but it is something that I can’t undertake right now. Princess Kundavai and Prime Minister Anirudhar have bid me to go to Kanchi immediately bearing their important message. That’s why I will have to refuse the honour of escorting you to Nagapattinam.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright! One can give over a thousand excuses if they are not inclined to help. I started on this journey alone but the presence of Kalamugars all along the way was a bit disturbing. No matter, I am sure God will protect my honour and my sorry self. Come to think of it, who would want to cause harm to a girl who is determined to renounce the life. I will take your leave now.” Said Vanathi and turned towards the entrance of the hut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundanthai Jodhidhar followed her saying, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devi</i>! It is already dark outside. It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amavasya</i> – the night of the dark moon and it looks like it is going to rain soon. Please accept my hospitality and stay here tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Forgive me. I had planned to reach Thiruvarur by tonight where arrangements for my stay have been made. Now that this man has refused to escort, I am sure I will find someone who is more inclined to help in Thiruvarur. Not that I am worried about myself…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying thus, Vanathi got into her palanquin and was soon on her way. Vandiya Devan and Kundanthai Jodhidhar watched until the palanquin disappeared from their line of sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan shook his head and said, “Kodumbalur Princess was a very cowardly woman until some time ago. Her companions used to mock her for her cowardice and used to play tricks and games on her. Even I fell for one such trick. Look at her now. I can’t believe it is the same girl! How strange that she left the safety of her palace to travel alone? I wonder how Princess Kundavai allowed this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I too am surprised by this transformation. Last time when this girl came here, she suddenly fainted. She spoke with a very meek hesitant voice. She is totally different today. Look how confidently she spoke up demanding your assistance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What do you think might have brought about this transformation in her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I think that she might have heard something drastic to bring about this kind of transformation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What would that be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Even the news that Ponniyin Selvar is missing in the sea ought to be enough. She was his prospective bride after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When the astrologer said that, Vandiya Devan privately wondered whether Vanathi’s transformation came about because of Ponniyin Selvar’s disappearance or the news about the Prince’s interest in Poonguzhali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mulling over it, he further asked, “Why is she suddenly so interested in the faith of Buddha? I had heard that the clan of Kodumbalur are staunch salivates.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Some people develop such beliefs due to their past life deeds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why would she start for Choodamani Viharam in Nagapattinam of all places?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That is indeed surprising.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Can’t you find out through your astrology?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How can I find this through the science of astrology? One needs to use Thiruvalluvar’s edicts of spying instead to find these things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thiruvalluvar has written an edict on spying?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes indeed. I am surprised that you didn’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What does he say in these edicts?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He says many important things that spies need to know. Listen to this…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying thus he sang a small couplet from ‘Otradal’ and explained its meaning to Vandiya Devan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thiruvallur advices the king to keep his spies working all the time. Just as he needs to know what his enemies are doing, he also needs to know what his own family members are doing as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He sang one more couplet and proceeded to explain it to Vandiya Devan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do you know how he describes a spy? This is how. A spy needs to disguise himself as a holy man or act as though he is dead… he needs to be on alert at all times. He also says that Kings ought to learn what their spies are doing through other spies. Have you never heard of these couplets?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan was astonished by the wisdom of Thiruvalluvar’s words. How intelligent and wise this poet saint must have been to write such words that are relevant event today? He resolved to read Thivalluvar’s Thirukural whenever he had the leisure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He spoke with the astrologer for some more time before taking his leave. The astrologer invited him to stay the night. “It is very dark now. Why don’t you spend the night here and go on your way tomorrow at first light?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan declined his invitation and said, “I need to be on my way. Next time I am here I will accept your hospitality.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Next time you are here, you will find that all my predictions about you have come true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayya!</i> You haven’t predicted anything at all for me then how come it will come true.” Joked Vandiya Devan and mounted his horse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After leaving the astrologer’s hut Vandiya Devan had to go in the same forest path as Vanathi’s palanquin had gone a few minutes ago. The path wound in the same direction for sometime and then diverged into two separate paths – one leading to Kollidam river banks and the other towards Thiruvarur where Vanathi was headed. Even at a distance he could see her palanquin heading in the Thiruvarur forest path. For a moment, Vandiya Devan hesitated on the crossroads wondering whether he should have offered his assistance to Vanathi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why did I refuse to help her? What if she needs my help truly? What if some danger befell her while on the way? If something like that happens he knew that he would berate himself forever for not escorting her to safety. But he had a mission to fulfil. Kundavai and Anirudhar were most emphatic about him reaching Kanchi as soon possible to stop Karikalan’s journey. No! No! I shouldn’t get distracted from my mission. I should remember the resolution that I made. I should keep my mind focussed on my mission and nothing else.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9_dBFyNS_k/V8PK7ywQ4TI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/mz-eXWU3iWszm2VBvGiQ9B9jgJwu7tiPwCLcB/s1600/VD_Vanathi_rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9_dBFyNS_k/V8PK7ywQ4TI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/mz-eXWU3iWszm2VBvGiQ9B9jgJwu7tiPwCLcB/s320/VD_Vanathi_rescue.jpg" width="117" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After deciding thus, he turned his horse towards the path that would take him towards Kollidam River bank. That’s when he heard the piercing scream of a woman. He turned back within an instant but couldn’t see the palanquin at the far end of the path. He immediately galloped his horse through the path and reached the far end of the path where the road turned. There he found a woman tied to a tree and her mouth gagged. He reined his horse and jumped down and ran towards the woman. The night was so dark that it was impossible at first to see who it was. She looked like Vanathi’s companion who had walked along with her in the palanquin. He removed her gag and released the ropes easily as they were not tied too securely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Woman! What happened? Tell me. Where is the palanquin? Where is your mistress?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jalJgBC_jl0/V8PLHD5cM5I/AAAAAAAAFkU/naxC07oY17sFxCfrVv19qrLLnM0oPDVsACLcB/s1600/vanathi_companion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jalJgBC_jl0/V8PLHD5cM5I/AAAAAAAAFkU/naxC07oY17sFxCfrVv19qrLLnM0oPDVsACLcB/s320/vanathi_companion.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Her companion who seemed scared out of her wits said that as they were nearing the bend on the road, a few Kalamugar mendicants joined them and asked the palanquin bearers to keep their burden down and run away. Next they had tied the woman to the tree while the rest of them carried the palanquin away through the same path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After telling her story, the woman broke down crying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Woman! Down this path if you go, you will find Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house. Stay the night there. I will go after these Kalamugars and rescue your mistress.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying thus, he mounted the horse and galloped away through the forest path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><a href="http://ponniiyinselvanbysumi.blogspot.in/2016/08/chapter-32-brahmas-head.html" target="_blank"> Previous Chapter</a></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-13876795105945155562016-08-18T03:07:00.003-07:002016-08-18T03:16:19.256-07:00Chapter 32: Brahma’s Head<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When Vandiya Devan entered Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house for the second time, he experienced the pleasure of reliving his first glimpse at Kundavai. He remembered how her complexion pink and flushed and her eyes wide in surprise when she saw him barging him inside the house. He remembered her soft voice and cultured tone laughing… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jodhidhar who was making preparations for the evening pooja greeted him happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Welcome! Welcome! Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan you are most welcome!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Jodhidharey! Though your astrology is not very accurate your memory is sharp indeed!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“One needs a sharp memory to learn astrology as we need to memorize the names of the planets, directions, bhukti, stars and their movements and many other minute details that rule our fate. Keeping this in mind we need to take into consideration the past, present and future before we can predict even a small thing. But why do say that my astrology is not very accurate? Didn’t my predictions come true?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Can’t you find that out in your astrology?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Of course I can but I would rather use my deduction skills to find out. My predictions about your future must have come true or else why did you seek me out again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“True! Very true! Your predictions did come true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There! That is very gratifying to hear. Now tell me which prediction came true?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“All of your predictions came true. You predicted that ‘your mission might become successful or not successful’ and that was very accurate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thambi! You have a great sense of humour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“True but I am also quick tempered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You need to leave your temper outside when you come into my house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I would have done that but there was no one out there to guard it. What if someone makes off with my bag of temper? I didn’t see your disciple outside? Where is he? I still remember the way he barred my entry the last time I came here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Today is Amavasya (Dark moon). He has gone to the banks of Kollidam.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What’s the connection between Amavasya and Kollidam river bank?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Today, a huge gathering of Kalamugar Saivaites are meeting near the banks of Kollidam. My disciple belongs to that sect.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I have been thinking for some time now. I want to turn myself into a Vaishnavaite like your friend Azhwarkadiyan Nambi.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I saw some Kalamugars while I was on the way here. They were all wearing garlands of skulls. I found it terribly repulsive. I would rather be a Vaishnavaite than hold skulls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s surprising. You have fought in so many battles and wars, why do you fear skulls?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I do not fear them but I do find them distasteful. There is a difference in killing your foes in the battlefield and wearing their skulls as a garland.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Didn’t your master Aditya Karikalar behead Veera Pandyan and take it along with him in a victory procession?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He had sworn a holy oath to behead Veera Pandyan hence he did that. I know that he regretted his actions later but he never wore the head or the skull as a garland like these Kalamugars do. Why do they do it anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They wear a garland of skulls to remind themselves that life is transient filled with momentary happiness and sadness. Do you know why we smear the holy ash on our body? It is to remind ourselves that we too would one day turn into ash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I understand what you are saying. None of us here are immortal. One day we will be dead and gone and turn into ashes. But why does Lord Shiva hold a decimated head on his head. He is an eternal being, he can’t die?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“The head that Lord Shiva holds denotes the pride of man. He carries it with him to remind us that if we win over pride then we will attain a state of pure bliss and happiness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How could the head denote pride of the man? I don’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There are many things that you need to understand <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thambi</i>! Let me tell you the story. Once Brahma and Vishnu taking pride in their prowess tried to establish supremacy over each other claiming that they were powerful than the other. Shiva interjected in this fight and became a long pillar of fire and asked Vishnu to find his feet and Brahma to find his head. Vishnu took the form of a wild boar and dug through the ground to find the feet while Brahma turned into a swan and flew high to find the head. Vishnu came back and said that the pillar of fire was endless and that he was unsuccessful while Brahma lied and said that he had seen the head. Enraged by his lie, Lord Shiva took for himself one of Brahma’s five heads and since then the lord of the creation is seen with only four heads.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When the astrologer finished the narration, Vandiya Devan started laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why are you laughing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thambi</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If someone were to punish me in the same manner as Brahma then at the very least I will need ten thousand heads.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So you have told so many lies!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s right. I think there is something special about my horoscope. After meeting Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar I decided to speak only the truth. I trued to stay true to my resolution and uttered a very important truth at one point but no one believed it and who ever heard it laughed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thambi! Times are so bad these days. People find it difficult to distinguish lies from the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Looks like even your astrology is fated to be false. Do you remember what you told me about Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar? Didn’t you compare him to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dhruv Nakshatram</i> (Pole Star)?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes I did. What of it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Haven’t you heard about the rumours of his death?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How could I not hear? The entire kingdom is under turmoil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So do you think the Dhruv Nakshatram drowned under the sea?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It cannot drown in the sea but it might be hidden beneath the clouds. Today if you look at the night sky you will see dark clouds and nary a star. If a star is hidden by the clouds it doesn’t mean that it has disappeared is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is that so? Then do you know any news about Ponniyin Selvar?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How would I know that? You were the one who jumped into the sea along with him. If someone in this Kingdom knows about the Prince that would be you. I had thought to ask you about him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sensing the dangerous turn of their conversation Vandiya Devan changed the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What of the comet? How is that faring?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You will find it extending from one end of the sky to another. Very soon it will disappear and god knows what calamity it will bring upon us. Our elders say that death is imminent in the royal family when the comet appears in the sky.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan’s mind ran through different possibilities from one location o another. King Sundara Chola paralyzed and weak lying on the bed to Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar in the grips of a deadly fever and Prince Aditya Karikalar who would soon meet Nandini in Kadambur Palace and Prince Madhuranthakar who had earned the disrespect of the subjects whom he wished to rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whom will the comet strike dead?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Never mind all that. Why should we discuss royal affairs? Tell me about my future?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Whatever I predicted earlier holds good even today. You will encounter many dangerous situations but you will also get unexpected help against your adversaries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just then he heard a sound outside the hut and wondered whether it was impending danger or help. The astrologer and Vandiya Devan looked towards the door when Princess Vanathi and her companion entered the hut.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya Devan leapt to his feet and bowed respectfully and said, “Devi! I didn’t know that you were headed here. If I had known I wouldn’t have come here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-35204564714822792722016-07-30T22:30:00.001-07:002016-07-30T22:30:17.343-07:00Chapter 31: Verdant Green Lands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next
day Vandiya Devan found himself on his way to Kudanthai through the banks of
Arisalaru River bearing the message that Prime Minister Aniruthar had given for
Aditya Karikalan. It was a beginning of the monsoon season (the month of Aipasi
in Tamil Calendar) and the everywhere in the Kingdom he could see verdant green
lands and cool breeze serenading the trees. He could see various hues of green
and each one of them was as enchanting as the other. Doting these green lands and
farms were many pristine ponds and lakes reflecting the cloudy skies and
welcoming the occasional drizzle of the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan drank in the beautiful scenes that unfolded in front of him and couldn’t
help remembering the sights that he had seen two months ago when he passed by
the same route. The varying shades of green fields made a very alluring picture
and he compared it with the sage green leaves of the trees, the soft green
grass of the meadows and the gleaming green of the frogs that were leaping
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
he trotted his horse slowly he realized that some sort of sorrow that prevented
him from enjoying these sights fully clouded his heart. On the contrary there
were many reasons for him to be enthusiastic about. Two months ago when he
passed by this way, all the desires that he had borne in his heart have been
fulfilled. Some of those wishes were mere dreams that he had never hoped to
fulfil in the first place! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He met with the
Emperor Sundara Chola… he also had the opportunity of visiting cities such as
Thanjavur, Pazhaiarai, Anuradhapuram, Maanthotham…he won the friendship and
trust of the most beloved prince in Chola Kingdom, Prince Arul Mozhi Varman…he
also got an opportunity to help the Prince at an opportune moment…he met the
most beautiful woman in Chola Kingdom and was lucky enough to secure a place in
her heart… now who could more lucky than that? When he remembered their last
meeting and Kundavai’s declaration he felt happy and sad in equal measures.
Questions and doubts swirled through his mind… Do I truly deserve her? Will our
wishes ever get fulfilled? What if there are insurmountable hurdles in our way?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aha! There is no
dearth of hurdles! The world is indeed full of hurdles thanks to people like
Ravidasan who conspire against the Kingdom, seductresses like Nandini, noble
lords like Pazhuvur brothers who turn against their own king, unworthy friends
like Kandanmaran and Parthibendran, lovelorn girls like Vanathi and Poonguzhali
and if that weren’t enough spies like that Veera Vaishnavan, Kalamugars who
can’t fill the belly of the largest quick sands in Kodi Karai…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With the grace of God
I have somehow escaped from all these dangers but he knew that none of the
dangers that he had faced so far could compete with what he might have to face
in this mission that the Prime Minister had set about for him. On one side
there is Prince Aditya Karikalar whose recklessness was legendary and on the
other is a seductress who has reduced one of the most powerful lords of the
Kingdom into a mere puppet. How does he expect me to foil their meeting? Is
that even possible? What does that Brahmarayar think of himself? What is his
ultimate plan here? Does he wish to remove me from the Princess’ heart
altogether? He said that Azhwarkadiyan would join me on the way and he too has
not shown up yet. How long do I rein in the horse and trot slowly? I don’t
really know who that Vaishnavan is truly but he has never caused me any harm
but has only helped me. If he comes along the rigours of the journey would disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There….those thick
groves of trees. That’s where I met the Princess for the second time where they
were trying to scare Princess Vanathi with the crocodile. When all her
companions laughed at my stupidity, Princess Kundavai came forward and spoke sweetly
and put the girls in their proper place. Let me stop here for a moment…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan got down from the horse and stood near the trees almost reliving the
moment and then he went near the river bank where the water was lapping near
the tree roots. As he stood watching the water, he could almost see the
Princess’s face reflected on the water and it increased his longing to see her
again… That’s when he heard a familiar voice singing from the top of the tree.
It was Azhwarkadiyan perched on top of the tree singing a song about how divine
the Lord Vishnu’s form was…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp0qLLy6Ma0/V52Ln-lBAQI/AAAAAAAAFiY/hDezywyA854dT01DwGU8I9Rz8ktGqfJLQCLcB/s1600/azwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp0qLLy6Ma0/V52Ln-lBAQI/AAAAAAAAFiY/hDezywyA854dT01DwGU8I9Rz8ktGqfJLQCLcB/s320/azwar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Azhwarkadiyan Nambi</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oho!
So I look divine to your eyes Vaishnavaney! Please let me also have the
opportunity to see your divine form as well. Kindly get down from the tree and
favour me with your presence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Azhwarkadiyan
got down from the tree and said, “I was not singing about you! You don’t look
divine by any measure to my eyes… I would say that you look only dangerous with
your long sword, daggers, spear and what not…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
whom were you referring to?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was singing about my Lord Vishnu whose
dwarf form was enough to measure this entire world under his foot…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Stop!
You will henceforth stop deriding Lord Shiva thus. If you persist you will be
encounter danger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
danger? I am under the protection of my Lord Vishnu who didn’t think twice
before mounting his Garuda to rescue a mere elephant from a crocodile.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It
was my duty to warn you and I did that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright
tell me. What danger are you talking about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That
day in Pazhaiarai when the people crowded around the Palace I heard a few
Kalamugars discussing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
were they discussing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They
wanted to sacrifice the growing crop of Vaishnavas to Maha Kali and then build
a pyramid of their skulls and dance a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thandavam</i>
(Shiva’s Cosmic Dance) atop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vaishnavan
brushed his hand on his head and said, “This seems strong enough and I am sure
it can withstand the dance of the Kalamugan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
think you will find my warning in good stead because since morning I have been
seeing more and more Kalamugars going this way rattling their skull garlands
and heaving their trident up and down. It would be better if you could take
Lord Shiva’s name and remove that knot of hair in the front…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Never!
Thambi! Never!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
‘never’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
said that my mouth could never utter the name ‘shiva’ and change my appearance.
I can probably take my Lord Vishnu’s name and change it perchance. Look there!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan looked at the direction where Azhwarkadiyan was pointing. Along the road,
a palanquin was coming borne by bearers and a woman companion was walking
beside it. The gilded palanquin resembled those that a high-born maiden might
travel in and this made Vandiya Devan wonder as to who would be going within.
For a minute he wondered if it might be Princess Kundavai and then immediately
dismissed the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Vaishnavarey!
Who do you think is going in that Palanquin?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thambi</i>! Listen to me. Do not interfere
in matters that do not concern you. You have got into many troubles because of this
habit of yours. People, palanquins, chariots and horses will go on the King’s
road how do they concern you or your mission? Just get on your horse and gallop
away!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Really!
Looks like our good old Vaishnavan has become all business these days! Maybe
you have forgotten what happened in Veeranarayanapuram? Didn’t you ask me to
take a message to that woman in the palanquin?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s old story. Why do you rake it up now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They
said that you would join me on the way. That’s why I have been trotting this
horse along slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You
are travelling on a horse while I am walking afoot. How can we travel together?
You go on your way and wait for me near Kollidam River. I will join you there
tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan then knew that Azhwarkadiyan was engaged in some other spy work that he
didn’t wish to inform him about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Alright!
As you wish.” He said and mounted his horse and noticed that storm clouds had
gathered in the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Vaishnavarey!
Do you think it will rain?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Do
you think I know astrology? It is the month of monsoon so one can expect rains
at any moment. It would be best if you were on your way as fast as possible.
Try to find a place to stay dry tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan for once heeded Azhwarkadiyan’s words and galloped away but when he
mentioned ‘astrology’ he remembered Kudanthai Jodhidhar. His house lay on the
way and he thought it would be interesting to meet him before he started his
new mission. He can try and find what the stars say about Chola Kingdom now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will Madhuranthakan
ascend the throne? What about Arul Mozhi Varmar? The astrologer had compared
him to Dhruv star (Pole Star). What would his fate be? How can his prediction
that the Prince would be an Emperor come true when he carelessly rejected the
throne of Elangai? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What about the
predictions that were made about me? Will I ever get back my Kingdom from the
tiger’s mouth? What about my new mission? Will I succeed in it? How can I
prevent Karikalar from meeting Nandini? In the past he had met her twice and
had gotten away through luck. Will my luck hold on forever? Whenever he thought
about Nandini, an unknown dread flooded his heart even though she had behaved
with him with utmost respect and love, he couldn’t fathom her motives by any
measure. He often suspected that she had allowed him to escape time and again
for some future purpose that might lead to his devastation. That’s another
reason why he was reluctant to accept this mission.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6_R7Be6yRM/V52L8UPwuPI/AAAAAAAAFic/f7h7k_qSQt4D-dA35iBbCjO1F4208BgEACLcB/s1600/vanathi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6_R7Be6yRM/V52L8UPwuPI/AAAAAAAAFic/f7h7k_qSQt4D-dA35iBbCjO1F4208BgEACLcB/s320/vanathi.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Princess Vanathi</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
he galloped away, his horse rode through the same path that the palanquin had
taken a few moments ago. Soon he could see it bearing down the pathway. He
overtook it soon but not before seeing who was inside it. It was Kodumbalur
Princess Vanathi! He almost reined in the horse and stopped it but then changed
his mind and went ahead. He remembered Kundavai had mentioned something about
Vanathi leaving her during their last conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Where is this young
maiden going that too without any proper escort?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
became more worried about her when he noticed a few Kalamugars under a tree
whispering amongst them as they watched the palanquin with their red-rimmed
eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To Vandiya Devan, they looked like the same Kalamugars whom he had
encountered earlier near the Harishchandra River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What’s their interest
in this young girl? Why are they looking at her palanquin thus?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan didn’t have much sympathy for Vanathi. He had often felt that the
Princess was out to steal Arul Mozhi Varmar away from Poonguzhali. Many a time
he also felt an irrational anger towards the poor princess! However Princess
Kundavai had boundless love for the girl and would be devastated if some danger
befell her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnr685FtAVE/V52MO1E4_tI/AAAAAAAAFig/0Zj8z3EcI-AIjzvpAa9zWsmywjnxZR-xwCLcB/s1600/kalamugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnr685FtAVE/V52MO1E4_tI/AAAAAAAAFig/0Zj8z3EcI-AIjzvpAa9zWsmywjnxZR-xwCLcB/s320/kalamugar.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Vandiyan Devan and Kalamugars</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why would she be in
danger? No! No! Azhwarkadiyan was right. I need to focus on my mission and not
get distracted by women. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite
this resolution he found himself getting uneasy as he encountered more
Kalamugars on the way. Soon he neared Kudanthai and could sight the astrologer’s
hut. That’s when he realized that the Kodumbalur Princess too might be on her
way to consult the astrologer. Thinking thus, he tethered the horse to a tree
near the house and entered it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://ponniiyinselvanbysumi.blogspot.in/2016/07/chapter-30-two-prisons.html" target="_blank">Previous Chapter</a></span></div>
</div>
Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477940123894514316.post-15094884226831196512016-07-15T18:26:00.000-07:002016-07-15T18:26:57.497-07:00Chapter 30: Two Prisons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai
went to the city’s prison directly after her conversation with Vanathi. She
asked the guards to wait outside and entered the building where Vandiya Devan
was kept in an isolated cell. When she entered the outer chamber she found him
singing a love song with his back on the cell bars.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai
waited until he finished the song and then coughed discreetly to gain his
attention. Vandiya Devan turned around immediately and welcomed her, “Welcome!
Princess! Do sit down!”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Where
do I sit?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“This
is your palace. The city is under your reign. You can sit on any of the thrones
available here…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“When
the Vanar clan ruled over this Kingdom did your people build your palaces like
this? Under our reign, we call this a prison.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I do not know how a palace or prison looks like in our city because we have
none. A hundred years ago, many kings brought their armies to our city and
destroyed our prisons and palaces.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why
would they do that? Why did they hate your palaces and prisons?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They
were destroyed thanks to a poet’s imagination.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Really!
How did that happen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“When
my forefathers ruled over this Kingdom they would imprison the kings and
noblemen who didn’t pay their taxes on time. They would be held in cells that
overlooked the palace and they would be made to wait for days together before
the King would grant them an audience. These people would wait in the cells and
watch the days roll by, hoping that one day the King would call them to the
court where they could apologize and go back home. But unfortunately it was not
easy to gain an audience with the King unless you happen to be a poet. These
poets were fortunate beings who could gain the audience of the King at time of
the day and when they left the King plied them with gifts, precious jewels and
what not! The noblemen and petty kings who were imprisoned would watch these
poets take away the gifts that they had once given the King. ‘Aha! See how
lucky these poets are? See there isn’t he carrying the golden umbrella that I
once gifted the King? Look at that! That poet is going away on my chariot! This
one is taking my best horse! <i>Ayyo</i>! My royal elephant is bearing that
god-forsaken poet! In the end, there came a poet who heard the lament of these
kings and he composed a poem on it. This unknown poet spread the poem all over
the Kingdom and the people would listen to it with love and pride. One day,
this very poem became the bane of our life when many kings joined their forces
together and attacked us, razing our palaces and prisons to dust…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Even
if they razed your palaces to the ground, they couldn’t destroy this poem that
describes the greatness of Vanar Kings. Your clan is indeed glorious…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It
is however unfortunate that the glorious name of Vanar clan is getting tainted
because of my actions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Aha!
So you will accept the truth no matter how bitter it is?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
else can I do? They say that of all the kinds of slavery in this world, the
worst is to be a slave of a woman. In the name of fulfilling your wishes, I
tainted the glorious name of my clan. I had to hide, lie, use dirty strategies
and tricks just to keep myself alive. When I sought to release my anger and
frustration on that physician’s son that satisfaction too was snatched away
from me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
Why are you so angry with the Physician’s son Pinagapani?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
have valid reasons to get angry. Couldn’t you find somebody sane to send along
with me to Kodi Karai? He almost sabotaged my mission to Elangai. And if that
weren’t enough he tried to get me arrested as a spy and after I escaped from
that he pursued me again and accused me of being Pazhuvur Elaya Rani’s spy in
front of thousands of people…”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Prince
of Vallam! Isn’t that true?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Isn’t
what true?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“The
charge that you are Nandini’s spy?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I have taken a vow never to tell the truth.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s
good vow to follow. Did you perchance take it after meeting Nandini at the
Harichandra River?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No!
I took this vow much before that. People kept believing my lies all the time
and yet once when I told the truth that the ‘Prince was safe in Nagapattinam’
they laughed…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
am glad that they didn’t believe the truth that you uttered. Just imagine what
could have happened if they had believed you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
It was a blunder that I would never repeat…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
thank you for that promise.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Promise?
What promise did I make?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You
just now promised me that you would avoid making blunders and fulfil the
mission that I give you…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My God! When did I say that? Enough! Release
me from this prison… I will be on my way…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
that is so then I will never release you from this prison. You will have to
live the rest of your life here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vandiya
Devan laughed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why
are you laughing? Do you find me amusing?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No
<i>Devi</i>! Do you really think that I depend upon ‘you’ to release me from this
prison? Do you really think that this prison can hold me for long?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Princess looked at him silently for a while with a strange intensity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
You are far too clever for prisons such as this. You are indeed skilled in
escaping from them. For a man who escaped the treasure chamber of
Pazhuvetarayar this can hardly pose a hurdle.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
you truly think so then open this cell and release me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
might open the doors of this for you or even you might escape the confines of
this prison on your own but know this, there is a prison that you will never
escape from.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Are
you perchance referring to the underground prison that is under the command of
Chinna Pazhuvetarayar?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No!
I have no doubts, you are clever enough to overcome the tigers and make your
escape…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
what prison are you referring to?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
was referring to my heart…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I am an orphan. I have neither a home nor a roof. I have no one to call my own.
The glories of my ancestors are merely stories and some dismiss it as a poet’s
imagination. You are the Princess of this realm, the daughter of the Emperor
who rules over many Kingdoms…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Who
knows maybe one day even our glories might become old stories…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Be
that as it may but you can’t dispute the fact that you are the daughter of the
Emperor today. Noble Lords like Pazhuvetarayars and even the Prime Minister of
this Kingdom are bound to obey your command.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
what you say is true then how can you defy my commands?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Wielding
political power is different and moreover you are talking about ruling over
your heart.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What’s
so wrong about it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
is wrong is our status in this world. You are a Princess and I am an ordinary
soldier.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Have
you heard of this proverb – ‘Is there a bar that can restrain love?’”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Wouldn’t
this proverb prove true in the case of Poonguzhali and Ponniyin Selvar?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes.
You are right. I thought that my brother was destined to rule this world so I sought
to bar his heart.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
had heard so much about him that I was very eager to meet him. I wished to
travel by his side to far away kingdoms and win glories and victories…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
guess that you have lost that particular wish of yours?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes.
Ponniyin Selvar doesn’t seek kingly glories. He is content with a peaceful
life. He wishes to build temples that would astonish one and all rather than
wage wars…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“In
the meanwhile, Madhuranthakan is single minded about ruling this kingdom. The
goat has become the tiger indeed and the tiger is happy to be the goat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And
thanks to you I became the night wolf. I had to hide, lie and cheat - just to
save my skin and escape from my enemies. Princess! I am unsuited for this work!
I beg you to release me…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayyo</i>!
Why is everyone abandoning me at the time of my need? Vanathi who was my dear
friend and companion wants to leave me. Will you leave me too alone in this
world?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I know not what transpired between the Kodumbalur Princess and yourself. There
are Princes, Kings and Noblemen who would consider themselves fortunate if you
would but spare a glance at them and they are ready to hold your hand to their
hearts if you would give them a chance. On the other hand, I was sent here to
serve you…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHBMB2BNSu8/V4mM4bbO7OI/AAAAAAAAFgU/3tkiCFbuYFkNaWEYiXac_YTvcWj8rF4TgCLcB/s1600/PS_VD_kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHBMB2BNSu8/V4mM4bbO7OI/AAAAAAAAFgU/3tkiCFbuYFkNaWEYiXac_YTvcWj8rF4TgCLcB/s320/PS_VD_kiss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Princess Kundavai and Vandiya Devan</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hearing
this, Kundavai extended her hand towards him. Vandiya Devan looked at her
astonished and then hesitantly grasped with both his hands. He bent his head
and held her hand reverently to his eyes. Every nerve end of body tingled with
desire, love and longing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Vandiya
Devarey! I was born in a family that celebrates a woman’s virtue just as they
would a man’s bravery. Many women born in our family considered it their duty
to follow their husbands to the funeral pyre…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
have heard <i>Devi</i>…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEL9WaathGk/V4mM4LuSZFI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/perCTIfNfv44ejSOQ5u2erbEqVXAz9L4QCEw/s1600/Kunda_sati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEL9WaathGk/V4mM4LuSZFI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/perCTIfNfv44ejSOQ5u2erbEqVXAz9L4QCEw/s320/Kunda_sati.jpg" width="71" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sati</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
know this… the hand that touched you today will never know the touch of any
other man.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
stared at each other silently… wordlessly. Vandiya Devan couldn’t look away
from the tear filled eyes of Kundavai.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
You are too reckless for your own good. I fear for your life. If anything were
to happen to you, what will become of me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I am fortunate to have gained a place in your heart but do not ask me to be a coward.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“There
is a vast difference between being cautious and being a coward. Even Prime
Minister Anirudhar doesn’t doubt your bravery…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
what does he doubt about…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He
fears that you might be Nandini’s spy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
that is so then allow me to give him the same answer that I gave that
Physician’s son. Open the door of this cell and tell me where I can find him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“The
Physician’s son at least knew a little bit of fist fight but our Prime Minister
has always exercised his sharp mind instead of a sword.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
I will let him how sharp my sword is…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Next
to the Emperor it is Prime Minister Anirudhar who the people trust and respect.
Even the Pazhuvur brothers steer clear of him…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Pazhuvetarayars
have tainted their hearts when they rose against the Kingdom. They would steer
clear of anybody who would tell the truth. I have nothing to hide…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Anirudhar
is the cherished friend of my father since childhood. If you disrespect him,
you would be disrespecting me and the Emperor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
that is so then tell me how I can win his confidence.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“He
wishes to send someone trustworthy to Kanchi. I have assured him that you can
undertake this mission…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
Do not send me to Kanchi. A voice within my heart keeps telling me, ‘Do not go
to Kanchi’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Could
that voice perchance belong to Nandini?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Never!
I would never listen to that snake.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
Please do not call her thus, I beg you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
is this? Why this sudden change?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes.
My heart has undergone a change indeed after I heard about that deaf and mute woman
in Elangai.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
that is so then, you will be telling me next that I will have to behave
respectfully towards her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And
you might also tell me that if she should hand me the Sword that she has prays
to everyday and ask me to kill someone, I should go ahead and do it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kundavai
shivered when she heard this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It
is enough if you are respectful towards her, you don’t have to listen to her. I
fear that she has no idea what she is involved in.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“She
too said the same thing. She said, ‘I know not why I am worshipping this
sword’”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hearing
this Kundavai shivered once again and said shakily, “Only God can save the
Chola race.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And
I wish that the God would use me as a weapon to save it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
wish the same too. Once you return from Kanchi, I want you to go back to
Elangai and bring that deaf and mute woman to me…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“’It
is impossible to take her anywhere. It would be like bottling up a storm.’
Someone said this once… yes Azhwarkadiyan did. Maybe he tried to do it once.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No.
He couldn’t do it. I think that only you can do it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
you truly believe that then don’t send me to Kanchi.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My
master is in Kanchi and if he asks me I will be honour bound to tell him
everything. If he comes to know of the conspiracy that the noblemen are
hatching he will be furious. If he knows that the Emperor is literally treated
like a prisoner, then he would immediately start for the capital to release
him. If he had heard the news about his brother, he might have left Kanchi even
as we speak.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“That’s
exactly why we are sending you. You will need to stop him from leaving Kanchi.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What
if he had already left?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“If
he has already left then join him on the way… you will need to do a very
important thing”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Tell
me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
have received word that Periya Pazhuvetarayar and Nandini have started from
Thanjavur and are on their way to Kadambur.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is
he really going there with Nandini or is he taking someone else in her
Palanquin?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“No!
It is Nandini who will be travelling with him. My uncle is here now. How could
it be him?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Why
are they going to Kadambur?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“They
have invited Aditya Karikalan to Kadambur. Outwardly they wish to discuss
marriage and work out a compromise by splitting the Kingdom into two.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“My
master would never agree to that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
am not worried about that at all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Then
what are you worried about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“A
nameless dread has filled my heart. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the
night with my heart pounding away. If I happen to sleep, I dream of darkness
that comes swirling towards me. This darkness brings along with it many ominous
dreams that I dare not describe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“In
such a situation why do you want me to leave you and go away? I would give my
life to save you from any danger…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
I do not fear any danger to myself but for my brother. My fears are for my
Nandini. I dread them meeting again. I want you to stop them from meeting
alone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
You know your brother. If he decides to do something it is impossible to stop
him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“And
yet I wish that you become his armour. If necessary I give you leave to tell
Karikalan who Nandini really is?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Will
he believe it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You
will need to make him believe it somehow. If you could but stop them from
meeting many dangers can be averted.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Devi</i>!
I will try to fulfill this mission but I doubt if it would be successful. Do not
blame me if I fail.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i>Ayya</i>!
Irrespective of whether you succeed or fail, you will remain imprisoned in my
heart.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://ponniiyinselvanbysumi.blogspot.in/2016/07/chapter-29-vanathis-transformation.html" target="_blank">Previous Chapter</a> </span></div>
</div>
Sumeetha Manikandanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342400399338247noreply@blogger.com0