Chapter 34: Firelight Extinguishes

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.

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.

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.

“Who’s there?” asked a voice. Vandiya Devan was startled out of his wits because it was a voice that he had heard before.

“Maharaja! It’s me, your slave!” said yet another voice.

Soon there was firelight at the place where the lone horseman and his slave were standing.

Vandiya Devan could clearly see who it was. It was Prince Madhuranthakan on the horse and an unknown manservant holding a fire torch.

  

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.

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.

What if he falls down from the horse and hurts himself? Would that manservant save him?

Next he wondered what he should be doing.

Should I go in search of Vanathi or should I hasten to help Prince Madhuranthakan?

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.

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?

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.

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.

Soon it started raining in earnest but that didn’t deter Vandiya Devan present quest.

Why did Prince Madhuranthakan come here alone on a horse? Who was that man who accosted him with the firelight?

Could there be any connection between Vanathi’s kidnapping and Madhuranthakan’s appearance in the forest?

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?

Then he reasoned to himself that it wouldn’t be possible to find the King’s road in this rain anyway.

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?

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.

If the horse slipped and fell down, then his entire journey was at a risk!

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.

Who knows, it might help me in future?

He called out for the Prince ‘Who’s there? Is anyone here?’ but the steady drip of the rain drowned his voice.

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.

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!

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 mandapam in the middle of the forest. His clothes were dripping wet and he entered the mandapam to check if there was some place where he could get dry and even possibly spend the night.

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.

“Amma! Amma!”

Vandiya Devan was frightened for a second.

How could a young boy’s voice be heard here, in the middle of the forest path?

But the boy was persistently crying for his mother.

“Amma! Amma!”

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?”

The child asked back, “Who is there?”

Vandiya Devan said, “It’s me. Who are you? What are you doing in the dark? Come out.”

“It’s raining outside.”

“Where is my mother?”

“Your mother has gone to fetch some milk for you.”

“No she has not. You are lying.”

“Are you going to come out or not? Or shall I come in?”

“If you come inside, I have a sword and I will slay you with it.”

“My God! Looks like you are a great warrior. Why don’t you come outside and show your prowess?”

“Who are you? Are you a tiger?”

“I am not a tiger. I am a horse.”

“You are lying. Will a horse talk?”

“Would a tiger talk then?”

“My mother told me that if I come outside there might be a tiger that might pounce on me.”

“I am not a tiger and I will not pounce on you. Come out and don’t fear me.”

“Fear? I have no fear.” Said the boy and came out of the dark interiors of the mandapam.

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 haram 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?

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.”

Vandiya Devan pointed to his horse tied outside and said, “There is the horse.”

“Oh! You have brought the horse for me is it? But they said that a palanquin will arrive.”

The child’s response aroused many doubts in Vandiya Devan’s mind.

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?

“Child! Why did your mother leave you here and go away?”

“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?”

“No. This is a different horse. And then how did you come here?”

“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 mandapam.”

“Were you not afraid of the dark?”

“What’s there to be afraid? I live in the dark all the time.”

“You are not afraid of the tiger.”

“Only my mother is afraid of tigers. I am a fish. I will swallow the tiger.”

“Ah! How can a fish swallow the tiger?”

“I am not a small fish. I am a whale. I am big enough to swallow tiger, lion and elephant too.”

Vandiya Devan’s mind was clouded with doubts.

It is indeed a very big fish that could swallow an elephant and a tiger! Who would have taught this child such a thing?

“There! What’s that sound?” asked the boy

Vandiya Devan looked in the direction and found that a few people were coming towards the mandapam. 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!”

“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?”

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.

“I have important work elsewhere.” He said

“Where are you going?”

“I am going to Kanchi.”

“Kanchi! That’s where my first enemy lives!”

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 mandapam. 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 mandapam and waited.

The child followed him with his eyes and then called out to the people who were coming inside the mandapam, “I am here.”

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.

She rushed to the child and held him tight and said, “Pandya! How can you do something like this?”

Next a man came near the child and his mother. It was Ravidasan. He said, “Chakravarthy! How can you scare us thus?”

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?”

Even as he spoke the rest of the people who had come in search of the boy gathered at the mandapam – Soman Sambavan, Edupankari, Deveralan and others members of the Pandya Abathu Udavi.

“Chakravarthy! 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.

“No. I will come in that horse.” Said the child and pointed towards Vandiya Devan’s horse that they had failed to notice earlier.

That’s when they saw Vandiya Devan behind the horse. Ravidsan’s face reflected disbelief, anger and fear in equal measures.

He took a step towards him and said, “You! Scoundrel! How did you come here?”

“You! Ghost! When did you come back from Kodi Karai?”

Ravidasan started laughing and said, “Did you really think that I was a ghost?”

“Some become a ghost after they die but you have become one even while you are alive.”

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.”

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.”

The child immediately got into the palanquin and sat inside.

Ravidasan looked at Vandiya Devan and said, “What are you going to do now?”

“That’s up to you isn’t it?”

“Join us. You know everything about us now. We can’t afford to let you go free.”

“If I refuse?”

“Impossible. We know that you are a brave warrior but even you can’t resist twenty of us. You can’t escape us now.”

“You mean I can’t escape with my life intact.”

“You are young. You haven’t experienced any good things in this life. Why do you wish to give up your life in vain?”

“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?”

“Ah! That’s my boy. We are going to Pazhuvur Elaya Rani Nandini Devi.”

“Oh! I thought so. Where is Nandini Devi?”

“She would have reached Thirupurampayam by now. Will you come with us?”

“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.”

They left the place immediately. Ravidasan and his gang surrounded the palanquin and Vandiya Devan in the midst followed them on his horse.

Vandiya Devan was plagued with worries.

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

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?

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…

When Vandiya Devan thought about Nandini he could only wonder about his own helplessness at the face of her beauty.

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.

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.

In the meantime, I will get a chance to learn more about them, which would prove to be useful.

The child’s words reverberated through his mind. “Kanchi! That’s where my first enemy lives!”

Who would teach the child such words? Why does this gang call him ‘Chakravarthy’? What did the child mean when he said, ‘First Enemy’?

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!

Even while he was thinking about it, they reached Thirupurampayam.

Chapter 33: Vanathi Seeks Help

“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.

“Devi! 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.”

“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…”

“Devi! No matter what you think of me today, I am positive that one day you will remember me when my predictions come true.”

Vanathi said, “I doubt that” and turned towards Vandiya Devan, “Ayya! 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?”

Emotionally moved by her words, Vandiya Devan emphatically said, “Devi! 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…”

“Yes. I need your help. I came here just to seek assistance from you.”

“If it is within my powers to help you, I would be happy to do it.”

“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?”

Vandiya Devan with a great deal of hesitation said, “Devi! If you can tell me what sort of assistance you require, then I can help you.”

“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).”

“What? What?”

“What is this?”

“How can this be?”

“Never!”

“You can’t do this.”

“This will never happen!”

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?”

A germ of doubt appeared in Vandiya Devan’s mind that startled him out of his wits.

“Devi! 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…”

“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?”

“In what way, can I help you?”

“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?”

Vandiya Devan was properly shocked now.

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.

 “Devi! Forgive me but I don’t think I can help you in this matter.”

“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?”

“It’s not an impossible task Devi 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.”

“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.

Kundanthai Jodhidhar followed her saying, “Devi! Devi! It is already dark outside. It is amavasya – the night of the dark moon and it looks like it is going to rain soon. Please accept my hospitality and stay here tonight.”

“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…”

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.

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!”

“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.”

“What do you think might have brought about this transformation in her?”

“I think that she might have heard something drastic to bring about this kind of transformation.”

“What would that be?”

“Even the news that Ponniyin Selvar is missing in the sea ought to be enough. She was his prospective bride after all.”

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.

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.”

“Some people develop such beliefs due to their past life deeds.”

“Why would she start for Choodamani Viharam in Nagapattinam of all places?”

“That is indeed surprising.”

“Can’t you find out through your astrology?”

“How can I find this through the science of astrology? One needs to use Thiruvalluvar’s edicts of spying instead to find these things.”

“Thiruvalluvar has written an edict on spying?”

“Yes indeed. I am surprised that you didn’t know.”

“What does he say in these edicts?”

“He says many important things that spies need to know. Listen to this…”

Saying thus he sang a small couplet from ‘Otradal’ and explained its meaning to Vandiya Devan.

“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.”

He sang one more couplet and proceeded to explain it to Vandiya Devan.

“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?”

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.

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?”

Vandiya Devan declined his invitation and said, “I need to be on my way. Next time I am here I will accept your hospitality.”

“Next time you are here, you will find that all my predictions about you have come true.”

“Ayya! You haven’t predicted anything at all for me then how come it will come true.” Joked Vandiya Devan and mounted his horse.

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.

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.

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.

“Woman! What happened? Tell me. Where is the palanquin? Where is your mistress?”

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.

After telling her story, the woman broke down crying.

“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.”

Saying thus, he mounted the horse and galloped away through the forest path.

 Previous Chapter

Chapter 32: Brahma’s Head

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…

Jodhidhar who was making preparations for the evening pooja greeted him happily.

“Welcome! Welcome! Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan you are most welcome!”

“Jodhidharey! Though your astrology is not very accurate your memory is sharp indeed!”

“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?”

“Can’t you find that out in your astrology?”

“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?”

“True! Very true! Your predictions did come true.”

“There! That is very gratifying to hear. Now tell me which prediction came true?”

“All of your predictions came true. You predicted that ‘your mission might become successful or not successful’ and that was very accurate.

“Thambi! You have a great sense of humour.”

“True but I am also quick tempered.”

“You need to leave your temper outside when you come into my house.”

“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.”

“Today is Amavasya (Dark moon). He has gone to the banks of Kollidam.”

“What’s the connection between Amavasya and Kollidam river bank?”

“Today, a huge gathering of Kalamugar Saivaites are meeting near the banks of Kollidam. My disciple belongs to that sect.”

“I have been thinking for some time now. I want to turn myself into a Vaishnavaite like your friend Azhwarkadiyan Nambi.’

“Why?”

“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.”

“That’s surprising. You have fought in so many battles and wars, why do you fear skulls?”

“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.”

“Didn’t your master Aditya Karikalar behead Veera Pandyan and take it along with him in a victory procession?”

“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?”

“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.”

“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?”

“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.”

“How could the head denote pride of the man? I don’t understand.”

“There are many things that you need to understand thambi! 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.”

When the astrologer finished the narration, Vandiya Devan started laughing.

“Why are you laughing thambi?”

“If someone were to punish me in the same manner as Brahma then at the very least I will need ten thousand heads.”

“So you have told so many lies!”

“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.”

“Thambi! Times are so bad these days. People find it difficult to distinguish lies from the truth.”

“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 Dhruv Nakshatram (Pole Star)?”

“Yes I did. What of it?”

“Haven’t you heard about the rumours of his death?”

“How could I not hear? The entire kingdom is under turmoil.”

 “So do you think the Dhruv Nakshatram drowned under the sea?”

“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?”

“Is that so? Then do you know any news about Ponniyin Selvar?”

“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.”

Sensing the dangerous turn of their conversation Vandiya Devan changed the subject.

“What of the comet? How is that faring?”

“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.”

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.

Whom will the comet strike dead?

“Never mind all that. Why should we discuss royal affairs? Tell me about my future?”

“Whatever I predicted earlier holds good even today. You will encounter many dangerous situations but you will also get unexpected help against your adversaries.”

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.

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.”