The Pinnacle of Sacrifice - Volume 2 - Ponniyin Selvan - Part 5

By C.V.Karthik Narayanan

An engineer by profession, Karthik Narayanan (1938) was born in Calcutta and had his early education in Tuticorin. He is an industrialist and heads companies that manufacture automobile components. He has occupied a number of important positions like the President of the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, President of the Automobile Research Association of India, Chairman of the Southern Region of the Association of Indian Engineering Industry, Member of the Senate of the Annamalai University.

Steeped in South Indian history, its arts and culture, KN is an avid reader of all the novels “Kalki” wrote, and is an accomplished player o of the percussion instrument the mridangam. KN is also an enthusiastic traveller, trekking in Himalayas being a favourite hobby.

Married to Uma who is an accomplished translator of French and Tamil books and Managing Trustee of the SOS Children's Villages of India-Chatnath Homes and the Karna Prayag Trust, KN has a son Ramgopal, daughter Gayathri and a granddaughter Niveditha.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: May 26, 2017
• ISBN: 6580510302261

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The Pinnacle of Sacrifice - Volume 2 Ponniyin Selvan - Part 5

Author:

Kalki

Translated By:

C.V.Karthik Narayanan

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Table of Contents

43. On the Banks of the Kollidam Again

44. In the Mountain Cape

45. Give Me Leave To Go!

46. Danger to Azhwarkadiyan

47. Nandini Disappears

48. You Are Not My Son!

49. The Unfortunate One

50. Kundavai's Anxiety

51. Manimekalai Craves a Boon

52. The Release is Prevented

53. Vanathi's Idea

54. Pinakapani's Task

55. The Madman

56. The Saviour Who Arrived in Time

57. Freedom

58. Karuthiruman's Story

59. An Inauspicious Omen

60. Amudhan's Problem

61. The Engagement

62. The Spear Strikes!

63. Pinakapani’s Treachery

64. Speak the Truth!

65. Aiyo! A Ghost!

66. Maduranthakan disappears

67. It Is Not A Worldly Kingdom That I Crave

68. Prince For a Day

69. A Sword for a Sword

70. The Command of the Fort

71. The Thevar Born of the Revered Womb

72. A Competition to Renounce the Throne

73. Vanathi's Stealth

74. Only I Must Be Crowned!

75. Disastrous Consequences

76. The Vadavar Flows Back

77. A Full-Grown Tree Falls Down

78. The Friends Part

79. A Meeting on the Roadside

80. The Lover of the Earth-Maiden

81. The Cat and the Parrot

82. Chinese Merchants

83. The Scene Which Appar Saw

84. Gifts for the Coronation

85. The Inner Meaning of a Sculpture

86. Reality or Dream?

87. The Poet is Shocked

88. The Coronation

89. Spring Arrives

90. Golden Showers

91. A Flower Droops and Falls

Conclusion

Characters

Emperor Kandaradithar: the late monarch of the Chozha empire.

Sembianmadevi: dowager queen, widow of Emperor Kandaradithar.

Maduranthaka Thevar: their son, a prince raised as a renunciate.

Emperor Paranthaka Sundara Chozhar: reigning monarch.

Empress Vanamadevi: Sundara Chozhar's queen, daughter of Thirukkoilur Malayaman.

Aditha Karikalar (Crown Prince), Arulmozhivarmar (Ponniyin Selvan): Sundara Chozhar’s sons.

Kundavai Devi (Ilaya Piratti): Sundara Chozhar's daughter.

Anirudha Brahmarayar: Sundara Chozhar's prime minister,

* * * * *

Periya Pazhuvettarayar: Lord of Pazhuvoor, Keeper of the Treasury, Chancellor of Sundara Chozhar's court.

Nandini Devi: his queen, the Pazhuvoor Rani.

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar: his brother, Kalanthaka Kandar, the Commandant of the Thanjavur fort.

* * * * *

Ravidasan (a magician), Soman Sambhavan, Idumbankari, Devaralan: Pandya conspirators.

* * * * *

Sengannan Sambuvaraiyar: Lord of Kadambur.

Kandan Maran: his son.

Manimekalai: his daughter.

* * * * *

Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan: a warrior of the royal but impoverished Vana clan, friend and emissary of the Crown Prince.

Thirukkoilur Malayaman: a princely chieftain and grandfather of Aditha Karikalan also known as Miladudaiyar.

Parthibendran: a Pallava prince, confidant of Aditha Karikalan.

Eesana Bhattar: a Saivite priest.

Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, also known as Thirumalai: a Vaishnavite, Aniruddha Brahmayar's spy.

Kudandhai josier: an astrologer.

Sendhan Amudhan: a young man in charge of the temple garden.

His mother: a mute, skilled in traditional medicine.

* * * * *

Poonkuzhali: a boat girl who rows Vandiyathevan across to Eezham.

Thyaga Vidanga Karaiyar: her father, the keeper of the lighthouse at Kodikarai.

His son: the boatman who rows the Pandya conspirators across.

Rakkammal: his wife, an avaricious woman.

Kodumbalur Poodhi Vikrama Kesari: the elder Kodumbalur chieftain the general of the Chozha forces in Eezham.

Mandakini: a Karaiyar woman (a deaf mute) whom Sundara Chozhar fell in love with when young; the person who rescued Ponniyin Selvan from the Kaveri.

Kalapathi: the captain of the Chozha ship.

Kinship terms/forms of address

anna: elder brother.

appane: an affectionate way of addressing an equal.

akka: elder sister.

thambi: younger brother.

thaaye: mother/a senior or important lady swami/sami: respectful term of address.

chithappa: father's younger brother,

The story so far

We hope that whoever reads this book will also have read the previous four volumes - The First Floods, The Cyclone, The Killer Sword and The Crown. The synopsis Kalki prepared has been translated below and provides a brief summary for the reader's convenience and enhanced enjoyment.

* * * * *

Ponniyin Selvan was convalescing at the Choodamani Viharam awaiting word from his elder sister Kundavai. He spent the time conversing with the Acharya Bhikshu who had travelled far and wide in the southern seas visiting various countries where Buddhism had taken root. One day, while they were talking thus, a young bhikshu interrupts them saying that somehow a rumour had spread in the city of Nagaipattinam that Ponniyin Selvar was in the viharam and the Buddhist Bhikshus were trying to convert him to Buddhism. According to the bhikshu, the rumour was spread by Rakkammal, the wife of the boatman Murugayyan. An angry crowd was shouting demanding to see Ponniyin Selvan or otherwise they would demolish the viharam.

After debating the various implications, it was decided that while the Acharya Bhikshu will go outside to appease the crowd the younger bhikshu will request Murugayyan who was loyal to Ponniyin Selvan to come into the viharam on behalf of the crowd and verify Ponniyin Selvan’s presence.

While the Acharya Bhikshu is talking to the angry crowd, a cyclone hits Nagaipattinam and the surging seas enters the viharam. The crowd flees from the viharam. Ponniyin Selvan is rowed by Murugayyan to the Chozha palace at Anaimangalam. On the way they rescue the Acharya Bhikshu from drowning. After reaching the palace, while they arc discussing about relief work Murugayyan meets Ponniyin Selvan and tells him about Mandakini's abduction. An enraged Ponniyin Selvan decides to leave Anaimangalam immediately, disguised as a trader with Murugayyan accompanying him.

As they are walking through the flooded streets of Nagaipattinam, Rakkammal emerges from hiding and reveals the true identity of Ponniyin Selvan to people. Led by the civic leaders of Nagaipattinam, the populace entreats Ponniyin Selvan to partake of their hospitality and after the festivities accompany him to Thiruvarur. At Thiruvarur, Ponniyin Selvan offers worship at the Thyagaraja temple and returns to the palace after giving orders that the elephant on which he rode and the mahout should be ready next morning.

Late in the evening, Murugayyan meets him and tells him how the real mahout has been abducted with the help of his wife Rakkammal. Sensing that danger is looming from the Pandya conspirators a forewarned Ponniyin Selvan prepares himself for any eventuality. He goes to the elephant the next morning and strokes it kindly and asks Murugayyan to fetch the mahout. Revadasan Kiramavithan, one of the Pandya conspirators rushes forward in the guise of a mahout. The elephant goes mad on seeing him and curling him in its trunk, throws him far away. Making use of the prevailing confusion, Ponniyin Selvan climbs on top of the elephant using Murugayyan's shoulder and commands it to run, the way he did earlier in Eezham. By the time the panic stricken crowd comes under control, Murugayyan explains to them the attempt on Ponnyin Selvan's life. Enraged, the crowd sets forth in the direction of Thanjavur suspecting that the Pazhuvettarayars were behind this plot.

Steering his elephant through the fields and cross country paths, Ponniyin Selvan rescues Poonkuzhali and Vanathi from the flooded Kaveri and learns from them that all the rivers in the Chozha country are in spate. Poonkuzhali conveys a message from Mandakini that she may not live much longer and wants to see him before she dies. They decide to proceed immediately to Thanjavur.

Pazhuvettarayar who was proceeding from Kadambur to Thanjavur also gets caught in the flooded Kollidam. His boat hits a floating tree and he is thrown into the gushing waters. He miraculously survives and overhears the conversation between the two Pandya conspirators Ravidasan and Parameswaran about the plot to assassinate the Emperor and his two sons the same day. He also learns about Nandini's role. Full of remorse and anger as how he had been manipulated all along by Nandini he confronts the conspirators but is over powered by them. Somehow managing to recover, he proceeds to Kudandhai where he accidentally meets Kundavai and tells her about the plot, before going to Kadambur.

Appraised by Vanathi about this, Ponniyin Selvan comes to Thanjavur. Meanwhile the Kodumbalur Velar brings all his forces to Thanjavur, surrounds the fort and while having a strategy session about the next course of action is told about the elephant approaching the fort carrying Vanathi and Poonkuzhali demanding that they be let inside, since Vanathi was carrying an important message from Periya Pazhuvettarayar to Chinna Pazhuvettarayar. Without revealing anything to him about Ponniyin Selvan, Vanathi enters the fort, where Chinna Pazhuvettarayar greets her with contempt.

His contempt turns to concern on hearing the warning given by his brother about the hidden assassin. He asks Vanathi to go immediately to the Emperor's presence. Seeing the mahout following them he grips him firmly only to be humbled when he discovers the true identity of the mahout. Ponniyin Selvan goes to meet his father while Poonkuzhali stays back to allay Chinna Pazhuvettarayar's suspicions. While doing so, she hears a scream from the anthappuram and rushes in. As she enters she sees a spear flying towards her mute aunt. Before she could reach her, the spear pierces Mandakini who collapses on the spot. In the confusion the assassin escapes.

Miraculously, the Emperor regains the power of his legs and holds Mandakini's head in his lap as her life ebbs away. Ponniyin Selvan consoles his weeping father.

In the meanwhile, Aditha Karikalan has violent mood swings in Kadambur. He taunts the old Sambuvaraiyar about the conspiracy. Suspecting everybody around him he even turns on his confidant Vandiyathevan banishing him from his sight. A dejected Vandiyathevan meets Manimekalai in the garden and learns from her that Nandini wants to meet him to find out about Periya Pazhuvettarayar. Suspecting that something is a foot, Vandiyathevan persuades Manimekalai to take him to Nandini's anthappuram through a secret passage leading to the hall of stuffed animals. They discover that the conspirators are hidden there. In the ensuing scuffle, Vandiyathevan overpowers the conspirators. Nandini intervenes, takes them both inside the anthappuram where she reveals to Manimekalai her true intentions. She requests Vandiyathevan to leave immediately for the sake of the love which Manimekalai bears for him. Vandiyathevan tries to persuade her to give up her idea of assassinating the Crown Prince and also tells her that he knew how she frightened the Emperor impersonating her mother. He agrees to leave provided she gives him the Pandya sword, which she is keeping with her, Persuaded by him, Nandini hands him over the sword. Unfortunately, it slips and falls on the ground with a clanging noise.

Just then foot steps are heard and realizing that Aditha Karikalan is coming to visit her, Nandini asks Vandiyathevan to hide in the hall of musical instruments and Manimekalai behind the curtain. Aditha Karikalan enters the room, secs the sword and picks it up. A heated exchange follows and roaring Where is that betrayer Vandiyathevan? Adithan slices the curtain, only to discover Manimekalai behind it. He asks Kandan Maran, who had accompanied him to take her to the anthappuram after which he and Nandini have an emotional exchange with tempers rising on both sides. Nandini reiterates her love for Aditha Karikalan, at the same time denying that there is any blood relationship between them. Pressed by Aditha Karikalan, who expresses his sorrow at the injustice he did her by beheading Veerapandyan she reveals to him who her real father is. Vandiyathevan, who was listening to their conversation, hoping to intervene even risking his life in order to prevent disaster, steps forward on hearing Adithan's emotional outburst full of remorse, but is prevented from doing so by a Kalamuhan who strangles him. Before falling down Vandiyathevan see the Kalamuhan entering the anthappuram, sword in hand and shouting at Nandini. He also sees Ravidasan coming from the opposite side pushing a stuffed tiger. In the ensuing confusion, the lights go out and Aditha Karikalan is murdered.

When Vandiyathevan recovers he gropes around and touches a body. Realizing it is the corpse of the murdered Aditha Karikalan, he is filled with grief and frustration at not having fulfilled the task given to him by Kundavai, that of sticking close to the Prince and avert danger to him. Just then Kandan Maran and Sambuvaraiyar enter the anthappuram. Kandan Maran accuses Vandiyathevan of having murdered the Prince. He refuses to accept Vandiyathevan's denial. Manimekalai intervenes claiming that it was she who killed the Prince. Sambuvaraiyar orders that she be taken to the anthappuram immediately and after preventing Kandan Maran from killing Vandiyathevan on the spot, directs his soldiers to tie Vandiyathevan to a cot. He goes out and after asking Kandan Maran to leave Kadambur immediately and appraise the Pazhuvettarayars and other allies about the death of the Prince and to take suitable steps to crown Maduranthakan, sets fire to the Kadambur Palace.

Meanwhile Thirukkoilur Malayaman, who was camping nearby receives word that the Prince's life was in danger. He attacks the fort. As the flames engulf the fort, Vandiyathevan somehow manages to free himself and carrying the dcad body of Aditha Karikalan and a screw knife found near the corpse walks to the courtyard as Malayaman and Parthibendran are questioning Sambuvaraiyar about the Prince. He places the dead body of the Prince at Malayaman's feet and collapses.

Lamenting the death of his beloved grandson, a furious Malayaman arrest Sambuvaraiyar and decided to take him and Vandiyathevan along with the dead body of the Prince to enable the Emperor to perform the last rites and also to mete out justice to the perpetrators of the crime.

CHAPTER 43

On the Banks of the Kollidam Again

There was the matam of a Saivite elder called Nambiyandar Nambi in a village called Thirunaraiyur on the northern bank of the Kollidam. A palanquin, its bearers and guards stood at its entrance. A crowd of village folk had gathered at some distance from them. It looked as though a heated debate was going on between two people in the centre which the rest were watching enthusiastically.

If we were to part the crowd slightly and peer in, we would discover that the two people who were arguing fiercely are already familiar to us. One of them is Thirumalai, also known as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi. The other is the Veera Saivite who had been arguing with him in the boat at the beginning of our story; also the chief of the Nambiyandar Nambi's matam.

The Veera Saivite had come out of the matam as soon as hic realised that Sembiyanmadevi had come thicre to speak to Nambiyandar Nambi privately. He was very angry when he caught sight of Azhwarkadiyan-naturally, since Azhwarkadiyan had defeated him in an argument on an earlier occasion.

Ade! You masquerader, wearing a namam to deceive people. How did you get here? Why don't you go to some place where you can eat Vishnu's prasadam-pongal and tamarind rice? he asked.

I ate enough pongal and tamarind rice before I came here. I heard that all of you in this Saivite matam have swollen bodies eating Siva's prasadam, holy ash. You poor folk! What can you do? Your Sivaperuman had to eat poison because He couldn't get any rice! What would have been your Siva's fate if Parvathi, our Narayanamoorthy's sister, had not squeezed His neck to stop the poison going down? asked Azhwarkadiyan.

Ade! Veera Vaishnavite! Enough of your stories! Don't boast like that. Your Perumal boasted a great deal but he couldn't find Siva's head when he looked for it, could he?

Ayya, what story is that? When our Mahavishnu took on the form of the dwarf, Vamana, in one of his incarnations and measured the earth with one foot and the skies with the other, your Siva's head must have been under his foot! said Azhwarkadiyan.

Doesn't the fact that Mahavishnu had ten incarnations make it clear that he indulged in all kinds of escapades? And what incarnations at that! A fish, a tortoise! teased the Saivite.

"That's all you know! Why was God born as a fish? In order to retrieve the four Vedas which were submerged in the sea! That's why our Azhwars sang:

Let nоt my penance

Deliver me

To an earthly kingdom

With a bevy of beauties

And wealth untold

For what I seek

Is a fish's life

In a stream at Thiruvenkatam

Amidst a scented garden

Appane! You have only twelve Azhwars. We have sixty three Nayanmars! Remember that.

Oho! You're proud of that, are you? The Pancha Pandavas were only five in number. Would you boast about the Kauravas because there were a hundred of them?

You impertinent chap, comparing our Nayanmars with the Kauravas. Among you Azhwars you have Peyazhwar, the ghost and Bhoothathazhwar, the monster!

Your Siva's cohorts are bhoothas, monsters, anyway. Perhaps you've forgotten that?

As this battle of words took place between the Saivite and the Vaishnavite, those of their audience who were interested cheered them. Suddenly, the crowd saw Sembiyanmadevi, the queen of the Saivite devotee Kandaradithar, appear with Nambiyandar Nambi, who had come out to see her off, and fell silent.

As Mazhavarayar's daughter took leave of Nambiyandar, she saw Azhwarkadiyan and asked, Thirumalai! So you're here, quarelling as usual?

No, Devi. We're not fighting with our fists, only with words. It's this great Veera Saivite who began the quarrel. The people gathered here have been taking a deep interest in our battle of words, that's why they didn't come into the matam, said Azhwarkadiyan.

Appane! You should not argue about the superiority or inferiority of the gods even in jest. It will only confuse the ordinary man. My father-in-law Paranthakar laid a roof of gold over the Chidambaram temple. He also renovated the Anandeeswara temple near Veeranarayanapuram and gave it gifts of money. We must all follow the path he showed us, said Sembiyanmadevi.

The Devi then climbed into the palanquin, which proceeded west. There were guards ahead and behind it. Azhwarkadiyan walked by the side of the palanquin. When the palanquin had gone some distance, Azhwarkadiyan asked the Periya Piratti, Devi! You came to see Nambiyandar Nambi about something important-what happencd?

My mind is clear of all confusion now, Thirumalai. Nambiyandar Nambi said that if the only way to prevent Maduranthakan from ascending the throne is to tell the world the truth, it will have to be done. I’ve accepted that wholeheartedly and feel at peace now, Sembiyanmadevi replied.

The Prime Minister expected Nambiyandar Nambi to say that. In a way, it’s a good thing you came. Thaaye! A matter of great urgency has come up and you have to take a decision quickly. There is frightening news from Kadambur. No one in this town knows it yet. If they had known, there would have been no one here. Everyone would have gone to witness the Prince's last journey, said Azhwarkadiyan.

Thirumalai! What are you saying? What fearful words! Which Prince? What last journey?

Forgive me, Thaaye. Such a catastrophe has never taken place in the Chozha clan. Aditha Karikalar died in the Kadambur palace. They say he died an unnatural death. No one knows what the cause was or how it happened. People have been saying all kinds of things. It seems the Kadambur palace was burnt down after Aditha Karikalar died. They say the Prince's body is being brought in a procession to Thanjavur. I believe Thirukkoilur Malayaman has arrested Sambuvaraiyar and his family and is bringing them along. More than a lakh of people are on their way there. We must cross the Kollidam before they reach its banks.

Thirumalai. This is truly horrible news! This is the calamity people feared would happen when the comet appeared. Aha! Should the life of that incomparable warrior have ended like this Aiyo! How deeply the Emperor Sundara Chozhar will grieve when he hears of it! I'm anxious that nothing should happen to him as a consequence. Only, Siva, the Ocean of Love, can protect the Chozha clan now, said Mazhavarayar's daughter.

Thaaye. On the one hand there's danger to the Chozha clan and on the other, I'm afraid this unfortunate incident will shatter the Chozha kingdom to bits.

Why do you say that, Thirumalai?

A terrible war could break out among the Princes who are the Chozha leaders. While a river of blood flows here because of the internal strife among the Chozhas, enemies from outside might be emboldened to launch an attack. Do I have to describe the consequences, Thaaye?

Thirumalai! Why do you think there will be internal conflict among the Chozha princes?

You know the reason, Thaaye! Some of them may want your revered son, Maduranthakan, to ascend the throne while others may say that Arulmozhi Varman should. Already, the Kodumbalur forces have camped all around the Thanjavur fort. Malayaman is going towards Thanjavur with the Prince's body. The princes on Pazhuvettarayar's side are already mustering their forces. As a result, Chozha soldiers in Thanjai and around will kill each other, causing the river of blood to swell. Blood will flow instead of water in the Kaveri and the five rivers. Even the great, intelligent Prime Minister Aniruddhar, is disturbed. He fears that this mighty Chozha kingdom that Vijayalayar, Adithar, Paranthakar and your revered husband Kandaradithar consolidated and ruled over, will be destroyed in our lifetime. Even Aniruddhar cannot think of a way to stop this happening, said Azhwarkadiyan.

Thirumalai! By the grace of God, I'll make sure no such catastrophe befalls this great empire. I’ll find a way. I came to Nambiyandar Nambi to be reassured. You think there will be strife in the country only if Arulmozhi Varman and Maduranthakan contest the throne, isn't that so?

Yes, Thaaye! How can you avoid such a conflict? We've been saying till now that Aditha Karikalar is older than either of them. But he is no more now. Arulmozhi Varmar is younger than your revered son, but Malayaman, Velar and the people of the Chozha country will insist that he be crowned. And the Pazhuvettarayars will never agree to that.

Thirumalai. Whether people agree or not, I will make sure Maduranthakan does not ascend the throne. I will see that the wishes of that great man, my husband, are fulfilled. Once it is decided that Maduranthakan will not have the throne, there will be no civil war. Isn’t that so?

Yes, Thaaye! Only you can save the Chozha kingdom from total destruction now. No one else can, Azhwarkadiyan said.

There's nothing more I can do. I pray that Maheswaran, one half of whom is the divine mother, the Madhorubhagan, will give me the strength I need, said Periya Piratti.

Neither of them spoke for a while. Then they caught sight of the Kollidam wharf a short distance away.

Thirumalai. A little while ago, you gave me frightening news. You said that Aditha Karikalan is dead. It's really a catastrophe that the one who was destined to rule the three worlds is no more. You told me he died under tragic circumstances. How did it happen? Did he take his own life? Or are they saying that somcone murdered him? asked the Periya Piratti,

Devi! There are all sorts of rumours. Since it happened in Sambuvaraiyar’s palace, suspicion has fallen on him. Malayaman has arrested him and the members of his family. Only his son Kandan Maran seems to have escaped.

I honestly don't believe Sambuvaraiyar would have done this. However deep the enmity between them was, would he have had the heart to kill the Emperor's son while he was in his house as a guest? Sambuvaraiyar would not have done that. What does he say? How does he think it happened?

Devi! Do you remember the Vana warrior who visited Pazhayarai? The one Kundavai Piratti sent to Eezham with a palm leaf scroll?

Yes, yes, I remember. What about him?

It seems that youngster was found beside the Prince's lifeless body. So Sambuvaraiyar says he must have killed him.

Thirumalai! That's impossible. I remember seeing him.

I too think it's impossible, Thaaye. But the circumstances, the evidence are all against Vandiyathevan.

Aiyo! What a pity! Ilaya Piratti had so much faith in that youngster. When she hears this, she will be devastated!

Thaaye! I wanted to tell you-it would be a good thing if you could meet the Ilaya Piratti at Kudandhai and take her with you to Thanjavur.

That's what I intend to do. The Ilaya Piratti is waiting for me there.

It will be better if you tell her the news before she hears it from others.

Does this mean you're not coming with me, Thirumalai?

Devi! If you will permit me, I would like to take leave of you on the southern bank of the Kollidam.

Where are you going?

There's some mystery about the death of Prince Karikalar. I want to go and find out what it is.

How will you find out?

Devi! I told you once about the Pandya conspirators. I saw one of them on the southern bank of the Kollidam while I was coming here, said Thirumalai.

Why didn't you follow him at that time?

It was only after I reached the northern bank that I heard the news of Karikalar's death. Rani! Give me leave to go. I know where the conspirators meet for their discussions.

Yes, you may go. What shall I tell Kundavai? I feel very anxious when I think of her.

Tell her not to worry if they accuse Vandiyathevan of the crime. Tell her I will somehow find out who the true culprit is.

The great devotee of Siva, gave him her blessing: By the grace of God, may your mission be successful!

By this time, they had reached the banks of Kollidam. Boats were waiting for Sembiyanmadevi and her entourage.

Azhwarkadiyan found a small boat and told the boatman to go as fast as he could.

CHAPTER 44

In the Mountain Cape

When he came to the southern bank of the Kollidam, Azhwarkadiyan started to walk in a westerly direction. He saw that the whole area was covered by a sheet of water because of the breach in the Kollidam. As the water level in the Kollidam went down, the water that had flowed in because of the breach began to drain away quickly.

Eventually, Azhwarkadiyan reached Thirupurambayam. He was surprised to find that this village had not been greatly affected by the floods. He remembered the legend: that at the beginning of time, during the pralayam, when there was a great flood, Thirupurambayam had been the only place that had not been submerged. Perhaps the story was true, he thought. He reached the forest where the cenotaph was. Many trees had been uprooted by the storm but even so, the undergrowth was dense and there was enough place for him to hide. He noticed three men and a woman talking at the entrance to the cenotaph. Looking closely at them, he realised he knew all three. The three men had been present when the conspirators had met earlier in the same cenotaph. One was Soman Sambhavan, the second was Kiramavithan and the third man was Idumbankari. The woman was the boatman Murugayyan's wife. Idumbankari was telling the others something that seemed to delight them. Azhwarkadiyan heard Soman Sambhavan say: In that case, let's go to the foothills, to Pachaimalai. It'll take us two days to reach there.

Azhwarkadiyan turned, thinking he would leave the place before they did. He was startled to see a small knife pointed at his chest. However, he realised with relief that the hand holding the knife was Poonkuzhali's. Surprised, they smiled as they recognised each other. Through signs, they agreed to keep quiet.

When they were sure the conspirators had left, Azhwarkadiyan asked, Poonkuzhali! How did you get here from Thanjavur? And, why have you come?

I came to avenge a crime, Poonkuzhali answered.

What kind of crime? For what?

One of these sinners killed my aunt and ran away. I followed him closely till he came here. Three other conspirators were here before him. I was taken aback to see my elder brother's wife with them! You arrived and came in the way. What shall we do now? If you help me, I’ll pursue them and kill my aunt's murderer, she said.

Aiyo! You poor thing! Mandakini, the mute queen, was your aunt, isn't she? Why did they kill her? asked Azhwarkadiyan.

The murderer didn't kill her intentionally. He actually threw a spear at the Emperor. My aunt intervened and tried to save him and was killed.

Oho! Is that so? So the mute queen sacrificed her life to save the Emperor? How did all this happen? Tell me, I want to hear.

Is this the time to tell you all that? They’ll escape meanwhile.

Poonkuzhali! I know where they are going. I know whom they’re going to meet and why. We'd better not intercept them on the way. Let's follow them. Once I've found out what I want to know, you can avenge you aunt's death, said Azhwarkadiyan.

Let’s go then! I'll tell you what happened in Thanjavur as we go.

* * * * *

They crossed the Kollidam by boat, proceeding in a northwesterly direction. After three days and three nights, they reached the foothills of Pachaimalai. The region was so densely wooded, they could not trace the people they were in search of. They were dejected, they felt that all their efforts might prove futile.

Suddenly they heard an owl hoot and another hoot in response. Azhwarkadiyan's face brightened and he signaled to Poonkuzhali to follow him. The hoot had come from a clearing. Seven or eight people were gathered there. Some of them were cooking over a fire as the others talked. It was obvious that those who had just arrived had brought some exciting news and were sharing it with the others.

Among those who had come earlier was Ravidasan. Pointing at a cave in the mountain in the distance, he was saying something to those who had just arrived. Azhwarkadiyan listened carefully as Ravidasan spoke in a low voice: Poonkuzhali! The people I’m looking for, must be inside the cave. I’ll go in slowly. If anyone approaches, give a shout.

"I can't hoot like an owl. But I'll coo like a koel, Poonkuzhali replied.

There were huge openings in the cave to let in air and light, so it was quite bright inside.

Azhwarkadiyan saw a very strange sight there-Periya Pazhuvettarayar wearing a tiger skin, like a Kalamuhah samiyar. A garland of skulls lay next to him. His face was very pale, as if he had lost a lot of blood. It seemed as if he had been lying unconscious and was just recovering and trying to sit up. He looked as if he had woken up from a terrible dream. His eyes stared vacantly around.

Nandini was beside him. Though she had taken off all her ornaments and her hair lay loose, she seemed more captivatingly beautiful than ever before. She said in a voice filled with respect, love and sympathy: Ayya! Drink this kanji, holding out a clay pot.

Pazhuvettarayar turned and looked at her. For a moment a smile of infinite joy illumined his face.

Nandini! My queen! Was it you who spoke to me now? Was it really your voice? Where are we? Were you the one who brought me back as I went towards death? Have you done for me what Savithri did for Sathyavan? When I regained consciousness, I felt your flower-soft touch on my chest. Was it real? You've refused to touch me the last three years, have you changed your mind now? Give me, give me the kanji. Kanji from your hand will taste like nectar from the gods.

But as he took the clay pot from her, his look suddenly changed. In a different and very harsh voice, he shouted, You sinner! You devil! Is it you? How dare you touch me! Did you try to stab me with a knife just as I was waking up? Is it really kanji in this pot, or poison to kill me? Even if it is nectar, it will be poison to me! He flung the pot at the wall and it crashed into pieces.

CHAPTER 45

Give Me Leave To Go!

Periya Pazhuvettarayar's furious outburst was no surprise to Nandini. She had been manipulating the grand old warrior like a puppet for more than three years, tugging the strings as she willed. For the first time the strings had snapped. The puppet had at last come alive and was able to think for itself. Nandini seemed to have expected this. Anyway, she had no further use for the puppet.

Displaying no agitation, she got up and prostrated herself before Pazhuvettarayar. In a voice choked with emotion, she said.

"Swami You've told me so many times that my words were sweeter than honey and nectar. But today, like the kanji I gave you,