Chapter 18 - Edupankari

Azhwarkadiyan Nambi

It has been some time since we left our friend, Azhvarkadiyan near Kollidam river. Let us see what he is doing.

After Vandiya Devan left for Kudandhai in his horse, Azhvarkadiyan said to himself, "This young man is very clever. If I ask him, one question he has hundred questions for me. I couldn't find out exactly who he is working for or where he is headed. I couldn't even find out whether he attended the midnight conference in Kadambur. Thank God! I mentioned Kudandhai Jodhidar's name. Whatever information I couldn't find out I am sure the Jodhidar would."

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Chapter 17 - The Laughing Horse

Princess Kundavai and her friends

Kundavai had decided that Vanathi was the right life partner for her brother, Prince Arulmozhi. But there was only one problem with Vanathi. She was frightened of everything. And Kundavai was not ready to marry her brother to a cowardly girl. So to make Vanathi brave, she had arranged for the crocodile game. But Vanathi passed the test successfully.

After they came to the boat, they rowed around for a while and then came near the bank, where Kundavai's companions had tied the dead crocodile. They all got down from the boat and played in the water for some time. Suddenly one of the girls screamed, "Crocodile! Crocodile! Somebody help."

Immediately the other girls started screaming. But Vanathi did not get scared, instead she said, "The crocodile is strong only when it is in the water and not when it is lying on the shore. So don't be scared."

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Chapter 18

Chapter 15 - Vanathi's Schemes

Kodumbalur Vanathi

What did the other women in the boat do after Princess Kundavai and Vanathi left for Kudandhai Jodhidar’s house? Let us see that now.

“Tharakai, see how lucky this Vanathi is – Kundavai Devi seems to have some special love for her.”

“Nothing of that sort, Varani. Vanathi has been acting strange for the past few months - and she faints for no reason at all. That’s why Kundavai Devi has taken her to the Jodhidar. In case a ghost or a spirit has possessed her, we need to exorcise it. Kundavai Devi is worried because Vanathi’s parents are dead, and her uncle has appointed ‘her’ as a guardian.”

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Chapter 16

Chapter 11 - Sudden Entry

Kundavai, Vanathi and Jodhidar

Modern-day Kumbakonam (near Thanjavur) was called Kudhandhai in those days. It was situated between Thanjavur and Pazhaiarai, the old capital of the Cholas. It was not only famous for its temples but also for its astrologer Kudandhai Jodhidar, who was patronized by the members of the royal family and other noblemen. And that’s probably why he had a huge collection of horoscopes of Princesses and Princes belonging to different clans. He took out Vanathi’s horoscope and studied it intently.

After some time he looked up to see Vanathi’s face then looked back at the horoscope and then looked up again…

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Chapter 10 - Kudandhai Jodhidar

When you see the Ponni River flowing through the Chola Kingdom, you are tempted to describe her thus -

Born in Kudaga Nadu, when Ponni (river) attained age, she wanted to meet her bridegroom, Samudrarajan (the sea). In her desire to meet him, she ran wildly through the forests and plains. As she neared him, her desire for him grew and there sprang from her, two arms racing to reach out to him. As her desire intensified, she developed more arms, each racing to reach out first to her lover.

Do you want to know how our bride was bedecked to meet her groom? The women of the Chola Kingdom beautified her with fertile green sarees and lovely flowers.

“River Ponni! Is there a young woman in our kingdom who has not been elated by your presence? Could there be anyone in this world who is not enamored by your beauty?”
Did you know that one of the arms of the Ponni is called Arisalaru? But not many people know that there is a river flowing there at all because of the thick grove of trees that grow on the banks. Some compare Arisalaru to a princess who is too shy to leave the anthapuram. But no one can compare her beauty with anything else in this world.

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Chapter 11

Chapter 9 - From Kadambur To Kollidai

Kollidam Today

Vandiya Devan had lived most of his life in dry regions where there was no river or large lake, which is why he never learned how to swim. Once, while he was patrolling the border of the Chola Kingdom (near the Rashtrakuta Kingdom), he got caught in a current in the river. The current swirled him round and round and started dragging him down. He started losing consciousness; the current had sucked out all his energy. Just when he thought that he would die, he miraculously escaped, and a wave dumped him on the shore.
That night when he went back to his bed, he felt the same swirling motion in his head. But this time, he was not stuck in a river’s current, but in a very dangerous political game.

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Chapter 10