Chapter 32 - Inspection

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar

When Vandiya Devan saw Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, he started walking towards him, while the three soldiers got up and ran after him and caught him.

But Vandiya Devan boldly looked up and said, "Dalapati! You have come here at the right time. These soldiers tried to kill me after stealing everything that I had. Is this how you treat your royal guests in Thanjavur? I am not only your guest. I am the guest of the King and Queen too. If you can treat a royal messenger sent by the Crown Prince like this, then I dare not think about the fate of others, who come here as guests. I am surprised that you have thieves for your servants. If this had happened in Thondai Mandalam they would have been dead by now."

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar was shocked to see that all his three soldiers were wounded by this, mere boy. Now he desperately wanted to recruit Vandiya Devan into his own army. So he spoke patiently, "Wait thambi! I don't think they could have done all this. Let me interrogate them."

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Chapter 23 - Amudan's Mother

Senthan Amuthan

As the Velkarar's army passed by, Vandiya Devan noticed that these soldiers too amused themselves at the cost of others, just like the Pazhuvur soldiers.

One of the soldiers walked into a sweet shop and picked a basket full of adhirasam and distributed it among his friends. After that, he took the basket and placed it on the shop owner's head and laughed merrily.

One other soldier, snatched a flower basket from an old woman and threw the flowers high up in the air, while his friends tried to catch the flowers that were falling. One other band of soldiers stopped a bullock cart that was coming by, made the driver get down and drove it towards the market crowd.

Noticing all this, Vandiya Devan thought, "These soldiers are also like the Pazhuvur soldiers, amusing themselves at the expense of the common people. Thank God! They didn't notice me. Otherwise there would have been a bloody skirmish." He also didn't fail to notice one difference. The townsmen didn't seem to resent them for all the trouble that they caused. In fact most of them joined them in their merriment.

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Chapter 21 - The Veil Parted

Can a man dwell in two different worlds at the same time?

Yes he can. If you need any proof, you must take a glimpse at Vandiya Devan.

As he was traveling through the Chola Kingdom, his eyes were admiring the beauty of the rich Chola land.

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Chapter 13 - Waxing Moon

Kundavai and Vanathi

After the chariot had left, the Jodhidar took Vandiya Devan inside his hut to his pooja room.

After pointing him to a seat, the Jodhidar asked him, “Who are you, thambi? How did you come here?”

Vandiya Devan started laughing.

“Why are you laughing, thambi?”

“Nothing, Jodhidaray! I was thinking that since you are such a learned astrologer, can’t you find out who I am through your astrology.”

“Why not? I can find that out myself. But the only problem is that if I see astrology that way, then who is going to pay my fees?”

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Chapter 14

Chapter 12 - Nandini

Pazhuvur Queen - Nandini

You are probably wondering how Vandiya Devan arrived at the Jodhidhar’s house when we had left him on the banks of Kollidam.

Here is how it happened.

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Chapter 13