Chapter 24 - The Crow And The Nightingale

Vandiya Devan slept like a log the whole night. In the morning he woke up only when he heard Senthan Amudan singing beautiful hymns while plucking flowers from the garden. He instantly felt sorry for his friend's mother, who couldn't hear such a beautiful voice. His sweet voice, pure devotion and simple life made Vandiya Devan to ponder on his own life and mission.

"Why should I forever roam around like this carrying a sword ready to kill somebody or be killed by somebody? Why shouldn't I tend a garden like Senthan Amudan and live my life peacefully?" thought Vandiya Devan.

After some time his thoughts ran in a different direction. "Not everybody can be good soul like Senthan Amudan. There are people who plot against one other and try to harm others. People need a king to protect them. And kings need bodyguards like Velkarars to protect them from enemies. They also need messengers like me. Yes, today I will have to meet the King at any cost before Periya Pazhuvettarayar returns."

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

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."

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

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.”

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 16

Chapter 14 - A Crocodile In Arisalaru

Kundavai

After he had left the Kudandhai town, Vallavareyan went towards the Arisalaru River. As he proceeded towards the land of the Cholas, he couldn’t help admire the beauty of his surroundings.

There was greenery everywhere! Green fields, trees, crops, small ponds, beautiful lakes and friendly villagers… No wonder the kingdom was so prosperous!

As he passed by, he saw farmers toiling in their fields while their wives cooked food in homes made of thatched huts. While the people were at work, hens fed on the grains kept outside the huts. Children ran hither and thither engaged in pranks and games while some sat outside and play pallaanguzhi.

As he passed by, Vallavareyan could smell cooked rice and fried fish. It made his mouth water. In those days, most soldiers ate meat and fish, just like him.

He also noticed that there were many ironsmiths in the villages he passed, where craftsmen made swords and spears.

While Vallavareyan was enjoying the picturesque scenery, his inner mind was engaged elsewhere on a beautiful woman appeared in his inner mind.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 15

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.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 13

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…

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 8 - Who Is In The Palanquin?

After Pazhuvetarayar’s declaration, silence reigned in the meeting for a while and then indistinct murmurs and mutterings were heard, as people discussed in hushed whispers amongst themselves and Vandiya Devan couldn’t hear anything.

Sambuverayar spoke up and said, “We cannot keep on talking amongst ourselves the whole night. Does anybody here have something to say?”

“I have a doubt. And I am sure just like me, many others here in this group have the same doubt. We would like to clear this up with the Pazhuvur Lord if he so permits us,” said one of them.

“If I am not mistaken, this is Vanangamudiyar, right? Why don’t come here?” said Pazhuvetarayar.

Vanangamudiyar got up and came to the center of the courtyard, where there was more light.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 9

Chapter 7 - Laughter And Anger

When Vandiya Devan heard Pazhuvetarayar talk about the royal throne, he decided to hear out everything that was happening in the meeting below.

Prince Aditya Karikalan

Who are they to discuss or determine anything about the royal throne? I must definitely learn what is happening here? I can just sit here and listen and what does it matter if Azhwarkadiyan is spying on them. This is more important.

“By a lucky chance, I have got an opportunity to know what’s happening here. Why miss it?” he thought.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 8

Chapter 6 - The Midnight Conference

After the Kuravai Koothu, a big feast was spread out for the guests. Vallavareyan didn’t enjoy it much as he was exhausted. Nonetheless, he sat down along with his friend who kept a steady stream of conversation about his guests.

Apart from Pazhuvetarayar, Mazhavereyar, Mazhapadi Thanavan, Kunrathur Perunilakezhar, Mammudi Pallavareyar, Thenthongi Kalingarayer, Vanangamudi Munnaireyar, Devasenathipati Puvareyar were some of the prominent figures in Sambuverayar’s guest list that night.

Vandiya Devan was aware that these noblemen were the most influential officials of the Chola court. It wouldn’t be wrong to call them as petty kings and powerful chieftains. In those days, one could not be a king just by birth. Only those, who stood by the emperor with loyalty and bravery during a war, would be recognized and given lands and property and established as a petty king or a lord.

Vandiya Devan realized that unless it were something of great import these noblemen would not have gathered here.

“Why have they all come here…? What is happening here today?”

With these questions playing in his mind, he went with Kandanmaran to the terrace, where he was given a bed under the stars at the far end.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 7

Chapter 5 - Kuravai Koothu

After stepping out of the anthapuram, Vandiya Devan heard a woman’s voice calling out for his friend from inside.

“Mother is calling me. Wait here, I will come back soon,” said Kandan Maran and reentered the anthapuram.
Vandiya Devan heard the women folk talking and laughing simultaneously and a garble of voices questioning his friend, who was finding it difficult to answer. He thought that they were all laughing at him. Soon Kandanmaran came out and said, “Come, I will show you our palace.”

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 6

Chapter 3 - The Veiled Palanquin

Sometimes, small inconsequential moments lead to momentous periods in one's life. It is indeed life’s great mystery, or one might even call it as God’s grand plan! One such small incident occurred in Vandiya Devan’s life.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 4

Chapter 2 - Azhvarkadiyan Nambi

An original illustration

Riding along the banks of the lake, Vandiya Devan turned his horse towards the South. As he rode, he wondered about his mission. He intuitively felt that he was bound on an adventure that was destined to change his life forever. As he traveled towards the Chola Empire, he couldn’t help but be amazed by the scenic beauty of the fertile lands and the gurgling tributaries of the River Kaveri.

He had heard about the numerous temples that the Chola Kings had built along the banks of the river Ponni and was excited about the fact that he would be visiting famous cities like Thanjavur the present capital of Cholas and Pazhaiarai, a former capital. Apart from that, he was going to meet the king! A great warrior whose handsome mien made people forget his real name ‘Paranthakan’ and led them to call him ‘Sundara Chola.' And if that was not enough, he was also going to meet the most beautiful and intelligent woman in the Chola Empire, Elayapirati Kundavai Devi.

He just hoped he wouldn’t have any significant hurdles to surmount to accomplish his mission. “But what if there are obstacles? As long as, I have a sword in hand, I can tackle any hurdle,” he told himself.

Click here to buy Ponni's Beloved Volume 1 - New Floods

Chapter 3