Chapter 27: Kundavai’s Surprise

Anirudhar Meets Kundavai

When Prime Minister Anirudhar entered Kundavai’s visiting room in her palace, the Princess stood up respectfully and bowed in front of him seeking his blessings.

“May you find a husband who is both valorous and good-hearted!”

“Ayya! Will you bless me thus at a time like this?”

“I just felt like blessing you like this. What sort of blessing do you seek then Princess?”

“Everyone is worried about the Emperor’s state of health and my brother Arul Mozhi is missing…”

“However I don’t see a trace of worry in your beautiful face…”

“I was born in a race that is rich in bravery and valour. Do you want me to cry and wail like other women?”

“Definitely not. On the contrary you need to lend some of your courage to people like me… we are in need of consolation, especially from you ”

 “Acharyarey! How can I console you and with what words? You are one of those people who stands steadfast like a rock even when the sea comes crashing on you…”

“Your actions are potent enough to crumble the rock Princess! Women in the royal family should spend their life happily within the walls of the palace. Your interference in the affairs of the Kingdom has brought forth many misfortunes.”

“Ayyo! Why are you blaming me thus? How did I interfere and when? What sort of misfortune did I bring forth?”

“I wanted Ponniyin Selvan to remain in Elangai for some more time but you sent a message asking him come back immediately. Would your brother listen to an old man’s words as against his dear sister’s? Do you realize what you have done? Your brother sailed into the sea despite the storm and our Kingdom lost their darling Prince. You saw how enraged people are outside this palace, a little while ago. This is just a glimpse of the state of affairs in this Kingdom. People all over are fuming with anger and crying for their Prince. Do you realize that you are the one who is responsible for this?”

“Why do you say that Arul Mozhi left Elangai because of my Olai? Didn’t you know that the Pazhuvur brothers sent two ships full of soldiers to imprison him for treason?”

“I know. If you hadn’t sent that Olai, the Pazhuvur brothers would be bearing the sole blame of the Prince’s fate but the ships that they sent were destroyed. If they counter you by saying that the Prince left Elangai upon the receipt of your Olai, can you refute them?”

“Ayya! How do you know that I had sent the Olai? How do the Pazhuvur brothers know about it?”

“Good question Princess! Everyone hereabouts knows about the fact that you sent a message to your brother. Your messenger was at first imprisoned in Elangai by our soldiers and everyone knew that he was carrying your message. That physician’s son who travelled along with him to Kodi Karai was responsible for spreading the news further here that he was your messenger. Your secret was thus revealed to the entire world. That’s why I firmly believe that women should not interfere in the affairs of the Kingdom.”

Kundavai was aghast and for a long while didn’t know how to answer the Prime Minister. He had effectively countered her and the bitter fact was that there was truth in what he told. When she realized that, she found herself getting angry with Vandiya Devan. She had no doubt that he was capable of brave valorous acts but his indiscretion has spoiled her plans. She wanted to meet and reprimand him strongly and that’s when she remembered that the Prime Minister had placed him under arrest.

Oh God! Why does he invite trouble upon himself and on me? Why couldn’t he stand quiet for a while? Why did he have to pounce on that Physician’s son from the balcony?

“Ayya! I have a plea that I request you to hear.”

“Devi! You only have to command me. Who would dare refuse a request from you?”

“When you entered the palace courtyard, there were two people fighting amidst the crowd and you placed them under arrest.”

“What they were doing there was nothing short of criminal activity. How dare they fight in front of the Queen at the palace and that too amidst an enraged crowd? Just imagine what might have happened if their actions had sparked a riot! One small spark is enough to destroy a huge forest.”

“Yes. I agree with you. What they did was terribly wrong but I wish that you would forgive and release one of them.”

“Who is this lucky man who has gained the benevolence of the Princess?”

“He is the messenger that I sent to Elangai.”

“What a coincidence!”

“Why do you say that?”

“I wanted to capture this messenger, thankfully he got arrested here on his own.”

“Why? What’s his crime?”

“Princess! A terrible charge has been laid upon his head.”

“And what’s that?”

“That he killed Ponniyin Selvan in the sea…”

“Who lays such a vile charge upon him?”

“Many do. Parthibendra Pallavan on whose ship the Prince was travelling says so. Pazhuvetarayar says ‘that might be possible’ and I too believe that there is some truth in these accusations.”

“Acharyarey! Do you think that I would send a murderer to Elangai to murder mine own brother?”

“Never! But you might have mistaken his intentions. You believed him to be your spy while he might have been somebody else’s all along.”

“I don’t believe that. Aditya Karikalan sent him to me only because he is a trustworthy man."

“What if Aditya Karikalan too was taken in by him? Or he might have changed his loyalties while he made his way to you. When I came to the palace courtyard I heard that someone was being accused as a spy. A man standing below was accusing the man standing on the balcony. What was that?”

“The man standing on the balcony was the messenger that my brother sent. His name is Vandiya Devan of Vanar clan. The man standing below was the physician’s son, Pinagapani. He was accusing him of being the spy of Pazhuvetarayars. How foolish?”

“Why do you deny that possibility?”

“That is not possible. He escaped from Thanjavur right under their noses. The Pazhuvur brothers made many attempts to capture him but they were all in vain…”

“How did he get the Pazhuvur Signet ring then?”

“That vile she-demon… seductive snake… forgive me… Pazhuvur Elaya Rani, Nandini gave that signet ring to him.”

“I am happy that you know this information. I feared that if I had told you about it, you might not believe me. Even if this Vandiya Devan is not a spy of Pazhuvur brothers, I fear that he might be Nandini’s.”

“How is that possible?”

“I will tell you. Vandiya Devan met Nandini near the fort walls of Thanjavur. That was their first meeting and she gave him her signet ring then. Later, he met her again at her palace gardens inside the fort. I believe that she helped him escape from the fort through the treasure chamber. She knew that he was taking a message to you. When he came back from Elangai, he met her again near Harichandra River at the dilapidated Pandian Palace. Even after all this time, he still bears that signet ring upon his person. What do you think Princess? Do you still have complete faith and trust in your messenger?”

After hearing this Kundavai found herself drowning in confusion!

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Chapter 26: Anirudhar’s Request

When Anirudhar’s presence was announced the crowd parted on both sides to allow his palanquin through to the courtyard. They had immense respect for his person and had total trust upon his loyalty towards the king. As he made his way through to the forefront of the crowd, many spoke to him expressing their distress about Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar’s fate. He soothed their fears and allayed their fears about the Prince by telling them about the rescue plans that were underway. When the palanquin reached the courtyard, the bearers lay it down and he emerged out of it and looked up at the balcony. Noting that the dowager queen and princess were standing, he bowed low to them in respect. Next he saw the fist fight that was still underway between Vandiya Devan and Pinagapani (Physician’s son). Yes… they were still fighting there completely unaware of what was happening around them.

The Prime Minister then told the guards who had come with him, “Arrest these ruffians…” The guards along with Azhwarkadiyan moved through the crowds and pulled Vandiya Devan away from the physician’s son. Azhwarkadiyan signalled him to keep quiet therefore he held his peace while they bound them both in ropes and dragged them away.

Anirudhar in the meanwhile made his way to the balcony and addressed the crowd.

“I can understand your distress and anguish very well. The Emperor and the Empress too are equally distressed and worried for the Prince’s welfare therefore I request you not to indulge in any activity that would elevate their worries. I seek your support in this and hope that you will give it. I have made adequate arrangements to search for the Prince in the sea and all about the coast and I am sure he will be found soon. I request you all to go back home peacefully.”

In response to his request many other voices rose with questions again…

“We wish to see the Emperor. We want him to return to Pazhaiarai,”

Yet another one asked, “What about the soldiers who went along with the Prince to Elangai?”

“The Emperor is safe in Thanjavur and his palace is being guarded by Velkarar soldiers. I will bring him back here very soon…Do not worry about our soldiers in Elangai. We have won the war in Elangai and our soldiers will soon be on their way back home.”

Hearing the Prime Minister’s explanations the crowd burst out in cheers and soon began to disperse. After watching this for a while, Anirudhar turned towards Sembiyanmadevi and said, “Devi! I need to discuss many important matters with you. Shall we proceed to your visitor’s chambers?”

Next he turned towards Kundavai and said, “Princess! I need to talk to you as well, I will come to you afterwards,” Kundavai nodded her assent and went to her palace. Her troubled heart swirled with many worries. The Prime Minsiter was one person in the Chola Kingdom of whom she was scared. He was a man with an eagle’s eye and was privy to many secrets that would bring his enemies to the knees. The depth of his knowledge about the kingdom and its affairs was unfathomable and no one could actually be sure what secrets he knew. Kundavai was often at a loss to know for sure what to tell him because he inevitably seemed to know at all times what she had been up to behind his back.

When Vandiya Devan was arrested at the courtyard, the Princess was enraged beyond words but she couldn’t reveal her anger and nor could she openly support that warrior.

So he wants to talk me is it? Let him come, I will give him as good as it gets. She thought to herself and went to her palace.

Prime Minister Anirudhar

It’s a fact that Sembiyanmadevi commanded universal respect among the people in the Kingdom and the Prime Minister too treated her with utmost devotion. Despite that, the Dowager Queen stepped into her Visitor’s chamber with trepidation and fear about what he would talk about.

“Ayya! For the past few months, I have been hearing many an untoward news that has pained by heart immensely. Have you perchance come here to console me or to give more shocking news?”

“Amma! I don’t know whether the news I have brought to you is ‘shocking’ or not. It depends on how you react to it.”

“Is this news about Arul Mozhi true? I cannot believe it at all. We had so many dreams about him… were they in vain? We believed that he would rule this world as one strong empire…”

“Amma! It is true that many astrologers had predicted that he would one day be an emperor but I never acknowledged it and neither did I deny it.”

“Alright. I am asking you now directly. Is this news true or not that the Prince is dead at the sea?”

“I know not whether it is true but I do know for sure that all through the Chola Kingdom this news has spread like wild fire.”

“If this happened to be true then I can’t imagine what kind of horrors are in store for our Kingdom.”

“Amma! These horrors that you speak of, is not going to wait until the news about the Prince is confirmed and they are unleashed upon us even as we speak…”

“True! One spark of a rumour is merely enough to start a wildfire. I have never seen the people of Pazhaiarai so enraged and angry before this…”

“You speak of Pazhaiarai but I have seen scenes like this all over the Kingdom. People in Thanjavur are enraged as well.  People within the fort broke through the palace gates and surrounded Pazhuvetarayar’s palace. Finally we had to let loose elephants upon them to get them to disperse…”

“Ayyo! This is horrendous.”

“I am glad that Prince Madhuranthakar came to Pazhaiarai or else he too would be blamed for the Prince’s fate,”

“Ayya! You will be surprised to learn how much Madhuranthakan has changed in these past few years?”

“I will not be surprised Devi. These are things that I have known for a while now.”

“If you had known about it, then why didn’t you make any attempt to change his mind? Alright at least now you can help me change him.”

“Amma! I see no reason to change the Prince’s mind about ascending the throne. I came here to speak to you on his behalf…”

“What do you mean by that? I do not understand.”

“Amma! Madhuranthakar thinks that this Chola Kingdom belongs to him by rights. He wishes to ascend the throne after the Emperor’s reign. It is not merely a wish but a dream that has been sown deep into his heart and any attempt to uproot this would end in disaster for him and for the Kingdom as well. I think it would be more prudent of us to fulfil this wish…”

“Ayyo! What are you saying? How dare you say such treasonous words against the Emperor?”

“Amma! I will never betray the confidence that the Emperor has placed upon me. I am here at his request pleading you to relent from your rigid decision. The Emperor wishes that Prince Madhuranthakan ascended the throne after his reign. The Pazhuvur brothers are openly conspiring for this for a long time but now with the turmoil in the Kingdom, the Emperor wishes to crown the Prince right away and retire from public life. He wants your assent for this…”

“I will never agree to such a scheme. Do not imagine that I would shirk my responsibilities and my promises to my Lord Husband. You are the Prime Minister of this Kingdom and you know everything about everything. Even if the Emperor has bid you to do this, how could you come here with such a request? Have you totally forgotten that there are certain truths that we both know? Have you forgotten all about them?”

“Amma! I haven’t forgotten anything. There are many other secrets that I am privy to, of which you have no inkling. That’s why I have come here on behalf of the Emperor to convince you…”

“Ayya! The whole world knows about your wit, intelligence, political acumen and strategies but I beg you do not use them on me.”

“Amma! I didn’t come here to debate with you and nor to prove to you my superior intelligence. I came here to beg you to consider the Emperor’s request as you alone can save this Kingdom from utter disaster.”

“Direct your pleas to the God, my Lord Shiva or to your Ranganathar. May they shower their blessings upon us all…”

“Mother! If you refuse the Emperor’s plea we have no other recourse but the Gods, as we are at the brink of a disaster.”

“What sort of disaster are you talking about and how can Madhuranthakan’s ascension to the throne help avert it?”

“Amma! Today you saw the people of this city enraged and up in arms, in the same manner when the news about Prince Arul Mozhi spreads around, everywhere people will rise up against the Kingdom swearing vengeance. If this were not enough, Kodumbalur Periya Vellar is mustering all the forces in Elangai and is preparing to march towards Thanjavur. When this news reaches Aditya Karikalan, he too will bring his forces to the capital. Pazhuvetarayars and the other lords who support your son’s claim have been busy recruiting an army to match the forces of Karikalan and Kodumbalur Vellar. A fratricidal war is imminent and you will see your kith and kin perish just as Pandavas and Kauravas destroyed each other. Would you watch such a carnage silently?”

“Prime Minister! I have no kith or kin. Adi Sankarar once told –

Matacha Parvati Devi

Pita Devo Maheshwara

Bandva: Shiva Bakthacha

My mother is Parvati Devi, my father is Lord Shiva and all those who worship are my family. I too believe in the same. I have no one else and nor do I need them…”

“Devi! Let me remind you the fourth phrase of the same hymn

Swadesho Buvanathrayam

The same Adi Shankarar also told us that the land of our birth holds more importance than all the three worlds. Will you see your land of your birth and the land where you ruled as a queen, torn apart in strife?”

"The land of my birth is important to me Prime Minister but there are many other places that I would love to visit. I want to go to Kashi, to Kashmir and if God wills I will go to Kailasam. I have been wanting to start on a pilgrimage for a long time, I request you to make arrangements for the same.”

“Mother! Bharatakandam is facing many new threats today. Mughai warriors and Turk warriors are on the look out to capture new lands and their eyes are upon us. A thousand years ago the Yavana warriors (Greek) and in the same manner these warriors too are here to loot our land. They follow a strange religion where they are taught to raze our temples to dust and destroy our Gods. There is no kingdom in the North that is strong enough to fight these hoards. Only we have the strength of arms to go beyond the borders of Ganga and stop these murderous fiends who have come to destroy our faith. This has been my dream for many years now, only you can help me fulfil it. If you agree to the ascension of Madhuranthakan on the Chola throne we can arrive at a compromise and avoid a fratricidal strife and our armies can help uproot the invaders.”

Sembiyanmadevi remained quiet for sometime after hearing this and then she said, “Ayya! I am but a mere woman, how can my decision affect the course of Bharatakandam. If our lands are under such dire threat then I shall pray to my Lord Shiva to avert the danger. That’s about the only thing that I can do. Beyond that, I cannot and will not forget my promise to my Lord Husband just before he died and nor will I act in a manner that would break my word to him.”

“If that is your decision then I believe that it is time that you know the truth.”

Before he could continue, Prince Madhuranthakar burst into the room in a hurry, “Amma! What is this that I hear? Did Arul Mozhi drown in the sea?”

“Amma! Do console your son. I will speak with you again at a later time.” Said the Prime Minister and left the room but not before he heard the Prince’s comment about him, “There… there goes my first enemy. He dares to come here even while I am present in the city to incite you against me.” 

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Chapter 25: Prime Minister Arrives

The city of Pazhaiarai was in turmoil that day. People converged from every corner of the city onto the street that housed all the royal palaces of Kings. Old men and women, children, girls, boys and soldiers everyone was out on the streets that day. Vaishanavaites, Shaivaites, Kalamugars forgot their inherent differences and stood shoulder to shoulder outside the palace demanding to know what happened to their dear prince.

Young men with sticks and sickles stood together banging their weapons angrily while many in the crowd urged them on saying, ‘You should bang the heads of Pazhuvur brothers thus’.

The royal palaces of Pazhaiarai were constructed in vast grounds to resemble the arc of a moon’s crescent. The courtyard in the front was extended and large. A large boundary wall screened the palaces from the public eyes. During festival days, the gates of the wall would remain open for the public to enter and watch the festivities and other days the gates remained shut. Today, however the guards at these gates tried to contain the crowds but they were unstoppable and they burst through the gates to come inside the palace courtyard. The throngs of crowd that entered the palace kept increasing every minute and the palace guards helplessly looked around trying to contain them. As the crowd kept increasing, people started pushing others from the behind and it soon looked as if a stampede was imminent. The cries of thousands of people filled the area and it was this uproar that Dowager Queen Sembiyanmadevi heard while she was speaking to her son Prince Madhuranthakan. The queen immediately bid the Prince to stay inside and stepped outside her chambers into the balcony to see what was happening.

The queen’s placid peaceful face brought a semblance of order among the unruly crowd below. They immediately stopped shouting and stood silently looking at her face and then one of the people from the crowd asked her, “Mother! Where is our Prince? What happened to Ponniyin Selvar? Where is our darling Arul Mozhi?” Following this, many others asked the same question and the uproar began again.

Sembiyanmadevi stood there dazed by their questions. She then knew that something untoward had happened to Arul Mozhi. Her heart was filled with dread and fear and she wondered whether the Pazhuvur brothers had a hand in it. If that were true then they have doomed her and her son to disgrace and infamy.

The royal messengers from Thanjavur now came forward with great difficulty and the guards who came along with them said, “Mother! These messengers have come from Thanjavur and they have brought very important news.”

Sembiyanmadevi appealed to the crowd to keep quiet and asked the messengers, “What news do you bring?”

“Mother! We are the bearers of very unfortunate news. Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar was on his way to Kodi Karai on the orders of Chakravarthy. His ship got stuck in the cyclonic storm that raged in the sea. One of the ships that came along with it broke into pieces due to the storm’s fury. The Prince jumped into the sea to save someone on the other ship and went missing in the sea. Arrangements have been made to search for the Prince all along the coast and in the sea. The Emperor and the Empress are distressed beyond words and they wish that you, Prince Madhuranthakan and Princess Kundavai come to Thanjavur immediately.”

Hearing this Sembiyanmadevi’s eyes was filled with tears and they started flowing copiously. Those who stood near the messengers cried out aloud and the crowd’s uproar started yet again. Those who didn’t hear the messenger’s news were distressed to see the old queen crying and knew that something catastrophic had occurred.

Many in the crowd started shouting then and one of them said, “Mother! You should not go to Thanjavur and nor should Princess Kundavai. The Chakravarthy must come here.”

Yet another shouted, “This news is false. Ponniyin Selvar didn’t drown in the sea. The Pazhuvur brothers have killed him in cold blood.”

“Prince Madhuranthakar should not go back to Thanjavur. He should stay here.”

Few others voices called out, “Where is Princess Kundavai? We wish to see her.”

Hearing this, Sembiyanmadevi bid one of her handmaidens to inform the Princess requesting her to come there. Azhwarkadiyan who was standing in front of the crowd heard this and left the place silently to bring Kundavai. When he entered Kundavai’s garden he found them trying to revive Vanathi who had regained consciousness just as he entered. He informed the Princess about the thronging crowds and their demands. Kundavai entrusted the care of Vanathi to her maidservants and left the palace hurriedly.

Princess Kundavai and Queen Sembiyanmadevi

She went to Sembiyanmadevi’s palace and joined the Dowager Queen in the balcony. The queen’s tears and worry lined face brought tears to the Princess’s eyes. This caused more distress to the crowd who saw this as proof that their Prince was indeed dead.

They shouted, “Ponniyin Selvar didn’t drown in the sea. The Pazhuvur brothers have killed him. We must seek vengeance for their vile act.”

Many others shouted, “They have imprisoned the Emperor in his palace. If the Princess would allow us we will go to Thanjavur and free him from their clutches.”

Kundavai was faced with a dilemma. She didn’t want to reveal to the crowd that Prince Arul Mozhi was alive and safe and yet she needed to somehow placate the crowd and send them back home. She could think of only one idea to get this done and she decided to use it.

Wiping the tears off her eyes, Princess looked down at the courtyard. Azhwarkadiyan and Vandiya Devan were standing in the forefront of the crowd. She signalled them to come upstairs and when Azhwarkadiyan came she whispered something to him.

Azhwarkadiyan stepped forward to the courtyard and signalled for silence and then with a booming voice he said, “Princess Kundavai does not believe that Ponniyin Selvar is dead at the sea. Years ago, Mother Kaveri saved his life and gave him back as a gift and she believes that the God of Sea too would save the Prince’s life and give him back to us. She consulted the Soothsayer and he too says the same thing. The Princess has therefore decided that she would make proper arrangements to search for the Prince. She requests you all to go back home now.”

After hearing this, the crowds cheered wildly and one of them said, “Where is this Soothsayer? We would like to hear this good news from him.”

Hearing this Vandiya Devan stepped forward and said, “It is true that the Prince was in grave danger but the stars foretell that his life is safe. He will be back among us soon.”

Someone from the crowd asked, “How do you know?”

“I am a Soothsayer. I studied the planets and stars and learned about the Prince’s fate.”

“Lies! You are lying. You are not the Soothsayer. You are spy.”

Startled Vandiya Devan looked down the crowd and found that the voice belonged to Pazhaiarai Physician’s son.

“Fool! How dare you call me a spy? Whose spy am I then?”

“You are the spy of Pazhuvur brothers or Pazhuvur Elaya Rani.”

“What did you say?” growled Vandiya Devan.

The balcony where they were standing was at least 12 feet in height and yet that didn’t deter Vandiya Devan from pouncing on the Physician’s son and soon the two were engaged in a fistfight while the rest of the crowd looked on.

Kundavai and the others watched this with trepidation from the balcony and the crowd started shouting yet again.

Just then, they heard the blaring of couches and pipes was heard and a herald announced the arrival. “Make way for Prime Minister Anirudha Brahmarayar” and the crowd parted automatically.

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Chapter 24: She Regained Consciousness

Vanathi fainted yet again and for a while she remained unaware of what was happening around her. Soon, she started to regain her senses and became aware of the fact that she did not marry the Prince of her dreams beneath the seas. She remembered hearing the distressful news about the Prince’s death at the sea and coming to the lake. She remembered fainting and falling into the waters. As soon as she realized this she felt an almost physical pain of a hundred spears searing her heart apart. She tried to open her eyes but they seemed to weigh upon her with a heavy burden and refused to open. She wondered for a while who could have saved her and then remembered seeing Princess Kundavai’s boat in the lake.

Why did she save me? Why didn’t she leave me to my fate?

She wanted to open her eyes and fight with the Princess. ‘Why did you save me? Do you love your brother so little that you would not want me to join him in the afterlife?”

There now, the Princess is talking something. Who is she talking to?

“She is not in her senses. She is talking in her dreams. If our boat were any farther, she would have been dead by now. I shudder to think that we came very close to such a possibility.”

“If she had drowned today, it would have been a sweet end for this girl. You saved her out of the goodness of your heart but unfortunately she will undergo more suffering all through her life.”

“How can you speak such heartless words? You might just prove the fact that all men are beasts with nary a heart within them.”

“Devi! What did I say? How can you call me heartless?”

“You just now said that it would have been good if she had died. Isn’t that enough? I have nurtured and taken care of this girl for so long…”

“Didn’t you hear what she just now said?”

“What did you hear?”

“I thought I heard her talking something about marrying the Prince.”

“Yes. Even while unconscious she did speak something about it. Her love for the Prince is deep and pure…and she dreams of marrying him.”

“I don’t think she should harbour such impossible dreams in her heart. It isn’t good for her. She will only gain disappointment and regrets through such dreams.”

“Why do you say that? What does she lack that makes her so unfit a bride for my brother? Can you find another highborn maiden such as her? Don’t you know that Kodumballur clan is one of the oldest and proudest clans in our Kingdom?”

“I know that but you are not understanding what I am trying to say. No matter how highborn this girl might be, her dream will never be fulfilled.”

“It will be fulfilled. This is not merely her dream but my desire as well and my decision.”

“I regret to say, your decision in this matter will not be fulfilled.”

“Why do you keep saying that? Isn’t the Prince safe at Nagapattinam Choodamani Viharam?”

Aha! What a relief? The Prince is safe and sound. He is in Nagapattinam Choodamani Viharam. How fortunate am I? I will have to thank Princess Kundavai for saving me from drowning after all. I am indebted to the Princess for many things and now I owe my life to her. But why is he saying such things about me? Why do I feel dread and fear even as I hear him speak?

“Devi! The Prince is safe. However that doesn’t mean that he would consent to marry this girl tomorrow. I feel that he wouldn’t marry her…”

“You are free to think whatever you fancy. In this world, there is a man who would listen to me and accede to my decision – that’s my brother Arul Mozhi.”

“Princess! You forget that I too exist in this world just to do your bidding.”

“If that is so, then you are being so pessimistic about everything. Who could possibly throw hurdles in our way? Do you think the Pazhuvur brothers would object…?”

“I do not know that. I do know that the Prince has boundless love for you. He might listen to you in other matters. He has no wish to rule over a kingdom. He refused the throne of Elangai before my very eyes. However if you insist he might even agree to rule the Kingdom but he will not marry this girl…”

“Why would he do that? What possible imperfection does he see in her? What do you think is wrong with her?”

“Devi! I see no fault in this girl and even if I see I would not believe it. In my opinion, the women in your Palace, be it the lowest of the servant or handmaiden would seem like an apsara to my eyes. Those adorable white rabbits in your garden seem like Iravatham (Indra’s white elephant) to my eyes. I don’t think that the Prince sees any imperfection in so fair a maiden but I fear that he might have lost his heart to somebody else…”

Ayyo!  Why is this man hurting me with such words? Doesn’t he know that my heart is already bleeding?

“Vandiya Devarey! I do not understand the meaning of your words. Why are you saying such lies and falsehood about my brother?”

“They are not lies and falsehood if they are true. I am merely stating the fact as I had seen and heard it.”

“Alright. Tell me everything. I think I can bear to hear the worst of what you have to say.”

Poonguzhali

“I told you about the boat girl Poonguzhali didn’t I? It was she who had taken me to Elangai. When the Prince and I were struggling to survive in the storm, it was she who had saved our life. She has now taken the Prince to Choodamani Viharam. I left the Prince in her care because I know for a fact that she would give her life thousand times over before she let any harm befell him.”

“So what? She is still just a boat girl. Would she dare to dream of marrying a Prince who would one day rule the world? Can a little sparrow dream of joining its fate with that of the mighty Garuda?”

“Why do you think it’s not possible? The sparrow can look up the sky and Garuda too can look down and desire the sparrow.”

“If my brother is harbouring such unwanted desires then I will ensure that they are removed from his heart. This cannot happen and nor will I allow it. I have protected my brother and have kept his safe from many dangers. I will bring him out of the seductive net that this boat girl has weaved around him.”

“Do you think so less of a boat girl? Is one’s birth and family so important that it eclipses their own value? Doesn’t the boat girl’s blood run red? Do you think that she suffers any less than a Princess born in a palace? When you come to think of it, one might even say that the Princess’s love for your brother is self-serving. She might want to rule over the Kingdom as a Queen but the boat girl’s love is pure and unsullied with such desires. That’s what the Prince believes. Why should we throw hurdles upon such pure a love? Now… take me for an example. If only I could open my heart and reveal what lies beneath…”

“No. I do wish that you could keep your heart to yourself and guard it safely. That would be most prudent course of action for all concerned. Common people have the freedom to indulge in their desires of heart but those who are born in the royal family should learn to rein in their heart and marry their equals. If they fail to do so, the repercussion of such an action would be catastrophic. There is one such example in my own family. When my father was young, no one thought that he would ascend the throne in the later years. He had met a young woman in the forest and… But why am I telling you all these things. This girl is regaining consciousness. Don’t you have anything else to talk about? You did say that you encountered many other dangers while in Elangai? Tell me more about it.”

“Yes Princess. It happened the night the Prince had refused the throne of Elangai. We were walking by a deserted road in Anuradhapuram that night when a house almost collapsed on us. If we had tarried there a second longer, we would have been buried alive. Thankfully a woman appeared suddenly and called the Prince aside…”

“My God! Another woman! You both seem to need women around you at all times to rescue you from dangers. Who is this woman?”

“I don’t know who she was but the Prince was acquainted with her…Devi! Don’t get so agitated. This woman is older than him.”

“How old?”

“Old enough to be his mother and she is also deaf and mute.”

“Ayya! What are you saying? Did you really see such a woman in Elangai? What else do you know about her? Where is she from?”

“She is from one of the many islands that are near Elangai.”

Kundavai’s excitement reached its peak when she heard this and she asked, “Ayya! Tell me more. How does she look?”

“Devi! Her appearance was a big shock to me and I don’t know how to tell you about it.”

“Please do not hesitate. Tell me. How did she look?”

“She resembled a woman that I had seen in Chola Kingdom. I found no other difference between them except for the fact that she was older than the other. Her attire was simple devoid of any ornaments and her hair was free. Apart from these differences, their faces resemble each other greatly.”

“Who resembles this deaf and mute woman?”

“Devi! Can’t you guess?”

“Is it me or this girl Vanathi or could it perhaps be my mother in Thanjavur?”

“No.”

“Is it Pazhuvur Ellaya Rani Nandini Devi?”

“Yes. It’s Nandini.”

“My God! My suspicions have come true.”

“What did you suspect?”

“The woman who I had often hated as a vile cobra might just turn out to be my own sister. Your news about the deaf and mute woman just confirmed my suspicions. If what I think is true then fate has dealt us a very cruel hand indeed. This proves my point - a royal prince should not marry someone whose birth is inferior to theirs…”

“Devi! I am not so inferior in birth as you seem to think. My forefathers ruled over this land for more than 300 years. They won over Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas and had brought their lands under one rule. Today, I may not have a Kingdom of my own but I do have a sword in my hand, strength in my arms and courage in my heart…”

“Ayya! I will listen to stories of your valour at a later time. There are a few things that I need your help with. I hope you would help me.”

“I would give my life thousand times over for you…”

“Are you perchance this boat girl’s brother to offer thousand lives to me? But let’s not talk about that girl now that Vanathis is waking up.”

Yes. By then Vanathi was fully awake and her body had regained its strength. Many thoughts flew through her mind. She wanted to show the Prince that her love for him was more pure and unsullied with any unwanted desires. She resolved to end her life after proving the same to her Prince. Along with this, she also remembered the scene that had taken place in Thanjavur palace in the King’s bed chamber. After hearing what Vandiya Devan had told about the deaf and mute woman, the king’s words on that occasion started making sense to her.

When she opened her eyes, Kundavai affectionately spoke to her, “My sweet! How are you feeling now?”

“I am fine now Akka. I beg your forgiveness for giving you so much trouble.”

At that time, Azhawarkadiyan Nambi made an entrance suddenly and said, “Devi! I too would like to beg your forgiveness for the trouble but a large crowd has gathered at the gates of the palace. They are distressed over the news that the Prince has disappeared in the sea. If you do not pacify them now they might just destroy this city in anger.”

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Chapter 23: Vanathi

Princess Vanathi

If the poets were asked to describe the beauty of Princess Vanathi, they would surely compare it with the lovely elegance of the dusk. When the sun sets in the evening after a glorious day there is a hint of sadness and a still peace. That’s probably why the Gods of nature lit the skies with the lustrous moon and many millions of stars to compensate for the disappearance of the sun.

While it is true that the lovely lotus flowers close their petals during the dusk, the jasmine blooms and its heady fragrance intoxicates every one around.

The birds return to their nests during the dusk and the world is bereft of their chitter chatter but the bells of the temple tinkle through the space and the heavenly music of the nadaswaram and flute replaces them. The alluring strings of an ancient Yazh and the dainty fingers of the beautiful maiden who plays them are certainly worthy sights to behold during the dusk.

Vanathi’s beauty had the same tinge of sadness and forlorn sorrow mixed with charming elation of innocent joy. Her character too had the same twin characteristic of sorrow and joy in equal measures. Sometimes she would seem as sorrowful as Chandramathi and Savithri (mythological characters) while at other times she would be as joyful as apsaras Urvashi and Rambha in the heavens. When she is sad Sometimes it would be difficult to find this Princess grant even a small pitiful smile to those around her while on some days she would be found laughing gaily immersing those around her in a joyous world.

The origin of these dual characteristics in Vanathi can be traced back to the time of her birth and the circumstances of her upbringing. When she was in her mother’s womb, her father Kodumbalur Siriya Vellar was fighting many terrible wars. The news from the battlefield swung from good to bad everyday, swaying her mother’s anxious heart from joy to sorrow. Weakened in heart, her mother died after giving birth to her and her father took on the responsibility of bringing her up. Unfortunately, this too did not last. Kodumbalur Siriya Vellar was a great warrior he didn’t wish to stay away from wars even for his own daughter. When Veera Pandiyan escaped yet again, he sought the command of the armies that chased him all the way to Elangai and bravely gave his life on the battlefield winning acclaim and glory for eternity.

After her father’s death, Vanathi felt as if all the joy in her life was sucked out. She felt adrift, lonely and lost. No words can describe the sorrow of the child who has lost both the parents and only those who have sadly experienced this can feel the pain of such a situation. Though servants and handmaidens brought up Vanathi lovingly, none could replace her father in her heart of hearts. Many tried to console her in different ways and one of them said, “Don’t grieve child! Your father will be reborn as your child and he will be a great warrior too.”

For some reason, these words stayed with Vanthi, embedded deep within her. She transformed her loneliness and grief into imagination and daydreamed about the son that would be born to her. She would imagine her son to be a great commander who would win countless wars and come back to her unscathed. She would see his battle campaigns through imaginary eyes and cheer for him loudly when he brought back treasures and presented to her. She would see him climb the throne of a great kingdom and watch with pleasure when other kings paid homage to him. She would watch him sail away in thousands of ships and conquer lands far away and when he came back to her he would say, “Mother! You are the reason why I have been so victorious.”

Innocent of the ways of the world, Vanathi would sometimes touch her womb and wonder whether her son was already there. In those days, men and women were taught the great mythological stories of yore like Ramayanam, Mahabharatam and many more. She knew how Kunti Devi conceived the Pandavas by uttering a potent mantra. She wondered whether some God would appear before her and grant her a son who would fulfil all her dreams. Young as she was, she didn’t realize that marrying a husband was a perquisite to have a child in their society. When she came of age, she learned that only her husband could grant her a child but she didn’t think too much about it. All her dreams were focused solely on the wonder child that she would have in the future.

When her uncle sent her to Pazhaiarai as a companion for Princess Kundavai, her life changed for better. Kundavai’s grace, benevolence, wit and intelligence had a huge impact on her. She learned more about the whole wide world at the knees of this princess than anywhere else. Courtly behaviour, scriptures, poetry, mythology, history and yore of lands far away were the many things that Kundavai taught her pupil. Kundavai’s affection for Vanathi was a bone of contention among the other princesses who too had been sent to her as companions. Vanathi was pleasantly surprised and also bemused by the fact that they were jealous of her, as she never thought herself to be special in any way. Vanathi’s sweet nature and innocent charms endeared her to all and Kundavai preferred her company more than anybody else. Amidst all this, she didn’t stop daydreaming about the son that would be born to her.

Prince Arul Mozhi Varmar

One day, she met Ponniyin Selvar and all her dreams shattered. She knew that she had to marry if she wished to give birth to a son but she didn’t think much about the husband in the first place. Unfortunately her heart didn’t listen to the dictates of her mind and she lost hers to the Prince, who was the object of affection of every maiden in the realm. Marrying the Prince seemed like an unattainable dream for her and not could she marry anybody else either. Therefore her dream of a son disappeared like a puff of a smoke.

Disappointment and grief overtook her and she soon forgot to smile. Kundavai who astutely deduced the source of her grief began to counsel her and encouraged her towards her dream by saying that she could dream of marrying her brother. To top this, their visit to Kudanthai Jodhithar resurrected her old daydream of a great warrior son. Whenever she experienced extreme joy or grief her senses overwhelmed her and she fell faint. One can even say that it was nature’s way of saving her life from excess of emotion.

When Vanathi went to Thanjavur along with Kundavai she couldn’t forget the day when she heard the Emperor’s pitiful plea for help and the subsequent scene that she had inadvertently witnessed. She also learned the extent of hate and distrust that existed between her clan and that of the Pazhuvur. She also realized the true state of affairs and the extent of power that the Pazhuvur brothers wielded at the capital. She would often wonder whether the Pazhuvru brothers would allow a Kodumbalur Princess to marry Arul Mozhi Varmar.

If even they didn’t object Nandini might have something to say about it. Whenever she thought about Nandini she was reminded of a beautiful cobra snake – alluring, mesmerizing and dangerous. What if she tried to weave her seductive allure upon the Prince? She also remembered Nandini standing in front of the King, in his bedchamber? Was it really her? Why did the Emperor piteously beg her to leave him alone? Kundavai had not spoken to her about any of these things but she knew that the Princess was terribly worried. That’s why she refuses to speak about certain things to me. Is she perchance worried about the Prince? That’s probably why she is hesitant to talk to me about it.

Kundavai was missing again today. In her absence these girls behave with uncontrollable abandon. They have truly never known any worries, pain or unhappiness.

Vanathi was sick of her companions and just wished to be left alone. The past few days, she had been immersed in sorrow that she found it jarring to hear her friends mock her with jokes and japes. As she searched through the palace for the Princess, her handmaiden told her that she had gone to Sembiyanmadevi’s palace. When she reached the palace, she learnt that Sembiyanmadevi was with her son and that they were not to be disturbed. This news unnerved Vanathi and made her impatient to meet the Princess. In the meanwhile, she also noticed the crowd that had started gathering outside the palace, which seemed ominous. She went back to Kundavai’s palace and learnt that the Princess was meeting with Azhwarkadiyan at the lake. Vanathi hesitated to go there as the Princess often sought the lake only when she wished to be alone. While she stood debating whether to go there or not one of her friends Varini burst into the room running.

“Ponniyin Selvan has gone missing in the sea!” she shouted and started crying. The rest of the women in the room started crying in disbelief and true agony. Vanathi didn’t really feel anything at first. She stood watching the scene with a detachment that was very uncharacteristic of her.

She looked around and found the women watching her and accusing her. It seemed as though they were saying, “Girl! It was your bad luck that drowned our darling Prince in the sea!”

She couldn’t stand them staring at her thus. She turned on her heel and ran towards the lake. As she ran, the news about the Prince sank into her mind and things began to make sense. She had been seeing the Prince’s face as a reflection whenever she was near the lake. When she drew near to touch the water, his face would vanish.

The Prince probably thought about me when he died and he called me to him. The foolish girl that I am, I didn’t heed his summons and stayed on in the banks. I must go to him now. I can’t bear to be here alone when he awaits for me. This lake goes all the way to Arisalaru, which goes to the sea. At the bottom of the sea, my Prince awaits me. Why should I stay here and for whom?

After deciding what to do, a strange peace settled into Vanathi’s heart and she stopped running. She felt strangely light. Her worries and burdens fell away. She came near the lake and climbed down the steps that led them into the water. She looked around the lake and at a distance she spotted a boat. Kundavai was with the warrior who had gone to Elangai taking her message.

That’s probably why the Princess wanted to meet him alone. She wanted to spare me from all the horrific details of the Prince’s tragic death. I need to go to him before she comes back. If she comes back she would try to console me, give me courage and would stop me from joining my beloved prince. But I do wish that I could bid her a last farewell before I leave. I wish I could thank her for all that she had done for me… but no. I can see his visage on the water again. He was calling her again with outstretched arms. ‘Come… we can get married now. There are no more hurdles to cross…” Why should I wait? He is calling me now and I have to go. Why is my head whirling? Am I going to faint? It would be good if I can faint and fell into the water…

Vanathi’s wish came true. She fainted and fell into the water. The cool swirling waters of the lake soothed her heated body and as she floated down she travelled to the magical world that exists beneath the sea. Corals, pearls and many other treasures lay there beckoning her in their midst. She saw palaces of crystal, gold, silver filled with all the treasures of the world.

Next she saw a group of maidens who looked like snake maidens of yore with a serpentine grace and an alluring glance which made her wonder she was in the Kingdom of Nagas.

The maidens took her into a palace and adorned her with all the beautiful ornaments that they could find in their world. A beautiful courtyard was waiting for her decorated with flowers and there stood her Prince with a garland in his hands and a beautiful smile. They got married by exchanging garlands and the heavens burst upon them millions of flowers to celebrate their union. Unable to bear the happiness, Vanathi fainted once again and for a long time she felt as though she was floating until a pair of hands held her. At first she thought that it was Ponniyin Selvan who had taken her in his arms and held her in his lap trying to revive her. However she heard the sound of bangles and the beautiful voice of Princess, “Vanathi! Vanathi! How could you do this to me?” With much effort, Vanathi opened her eyes and saw Kundavai’s worried face and murmured, “Akka! Akka! Did you come for my marriage? I didn’t see you there.”

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