The Killer Sword Ponniyin Selvan - Part 3

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The Killer Sword

Ponniyin Selvan - Part 3

Author - Kalki

Translated by - C.V.Karthik Narayanan

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Table Of Contents

The Story So Far

1. At Kodikarai

2. The Web of Desire

3. The Owl Hoots

4. The Thazhambu Bushes

5. Rakkammal

6. Poonkuzhali's Fear

7. The Song That Came From the Forest

8. Aiyo! A Ghost

9. Three in a Boat

10. The Choodamani Viharam

11. The Blacksmith's Forge

12. Push Him into the Fire!

13. The Poisonous Weapon

14. The Flying Horse

15. The Kalamuhars

16. Maduranthaka Thevar

17. Thirunaraiyur Nambi

18. The Soothsayer

19. A Timely Rescue

20. Mother and Son

21. You Call Yourself a Mother?

22. What's That Noise?

23. Vanathi

24. Consciousness Returns

25. The Prime Minister Arrives

26. Anirudhar's Appeal

27. Kundavai is Bewildered

28. One Spy to Spy on Another

29. A Change in Vanathi

30. Two Prisons

31. A Green Silk Garment

32. Brahma's Head

33. Vanathi's Plea for Help

34. The Palm-Leaf Torch Goes Out!

35. The Time is Near

36. A Shape in the Darkness

37. Unmasked

38. What Happened to Vanathi?

39. Gajendra Moksham – Gajendra's Salvation

40. Anaimangalam

41. Maduranthakan's Gratitude

42. The Fever Subsides

43. The Nandi Mandapam

44. The Nandi Grows

45. Vanathi in Danger

46. Vanathi Laughs

Glossary

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 light house 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 volumes The First Floods and The Cyclone. The synopsis Kalki prepared has been translated below and provides a brief summary for the reader's convenience and enhanced enjoyment.

*****

One thousand one hundred years ago, Vijayalaya Chozhan who ruled over a small portion of the Chozha country, captured Thanjavur from the Mutharayars and laid the foundation of the Chozha empire. Many warrior kings succeeded Vijayalaya Chozhan in the dynasty established by him. Emperor Paranthakar the first, who laid the roof of the Chidambaram temple with gold, was victorious in annexing Pandya territory and a major portion of Eezham. His empire extended upto the Vada Pennai in the north. During his last days, a big army of Rashtrakutas invaded the Chozha country from the north. Paranthakar's eldest son Rajadithar fought that huge army at Thakkolam near Arakonam and died after a heroic struggle. Since he died seated on an elephant he attained fame as the Lord who slept on an elephant. Even though he died the Rashtrakuta invasion was stopped.

After Emperor Paranthakar, his son Kandaradithar ascended the throne. Since he had no issue at that time, he annointed Sundara Chozhar, the son of his brother Arinjaya Chozhar as Crown Prince.

Kandaradithar was a devotee of Siva. In his old age he married the daughter of Mazhavarayar. This great lady, Sembiyanmadevi, was reknowned for her devotion to Siva. During the last years of Kandaradhithar's life, a son was born to Sembiyanmadevi. They named him Maduranthakan.

According to the old arrangement, Arinjaya Chozhar ascended the throne, succeeding Kandaradithar who died within a year of his ascension. Sundara Chozhar succeeded him. During Sundara Chozhar's time, the Chozha empire started expanding again.

Sundara Chozhar married Vanamadevi, the daughter of Thirukoilur Malayaman. Two sons Aditha Karikalan and Arulmozhivarman and a daughter Kundavai were born to them.

Even in his youth Aditha Karikalan was famed as a warrior. He also obtained the title The beheader of Veerapandyan after killing him in battle. After this, he began living in Kanchi as Crown Prince. He built a golden palace there. Through a brave youngster Vandiyathevan he sent a scroll to his father Sundara Chozhar, requesting him to stay with him for some time in the golden palace in Kanchi.

At that time Sundara Chozhar was bedridden in the Thanjavur palace afflicted by paralysis. The two brothers Periya Pazhuvettarayar and Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, the princes of the Pazhuvoor territory wielded enormous influence in Thanjavur. No one was permitted to visit Sundara Chozhar without their approval.

After his sixtieth year Periya Pazhuvettarayar had married a girl called Nandini. He grew confused and his devotion to the royal family diminished as a result of this shocking event. There were secret reasons for Nandini to hate the Chozha clan. Her hatred was fanned by Kundavai Piratti's open contempt for her. From that was hatched a conspiracy in the Chozha empire. Important dignitaries like the Pazhuvettarayars, Kadambur Sambuvaraiyar and others were involved in this. They decided to deprive Sundara Chozhar's progeny of the throne and crown Kandaradithar's son Maduranthakan.

In this situation, a band of assassins under the leadership of the magician Ravidasan was working to annihilate the Sundara Chozhar clan. The Pazhuvoor Rani helped them secretly with money.

On his way from Kanchi, Vandiyathevan halted for a night at the Kadambur palace where he learnt about the Pazhuvettarayar conspiracy. Near Thanjavur, by chance he met the Pazhuvoor Rani Nandini. With her help he entered the Thanjavur fort, met Sundara Chozhar and submitted the scroll. As he was trying to warn him about the danger surrounding him, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, the Commandant of the Thanjavur fort seized him. After that, Vandiyathevan escaped from the Thanjavur fort through the subterranean tunnel under the treasury and proceeded to Pazhayarai. There he told Kundavai Devi everything. Kundavai Devi's beloved younger brother Arulmozhivarman, who in later life attained historical fame as Rajarajan was then conducting a war in Lanka. Addressing him as Ponniyin Selva, Kundavai sent him a scroll through Vandiyathevan requesting him to come back immediately.

When the child Arulmozhivarman was once on a pleasure cruise on the Kaveri, he leaned over to pick a flower from the river and fell overboard. A woman rescued him from drowning and disappeared immediately. Many believed that it was the Goddess Kaveri herself who appeared in human form and rescued the child. Hence the name Ponniyin Selvan.

After reaching Kodikarai, Vandiyathevan went to Eezham with the help of a boat girl, Poonkuzhali. He met Ponniyin Selvan and gave him the scroll. As soon as they met, they became inseparable friends.

During his few days in Eezham, Vandiyathevan learnt about some startling happenings.

Before his coronation, Sundara Chozhar had spent some time in Bhootha Theevu which was near Lanka. A girl, born deaf and dumb rescued him from an attacking bear. Sundara Chozhar fell in love with her. However, he had to part company with her soon.

It was this mute woman, who later rescued Arulmozhivarman from the Kaveri. The same lady rescued Arulmozhivarman from many dangers, when he was with the Chozha forces in Lanka. From some of her drawings, Ponniyin Selvar realized that she was his stepmother. He also drew some inferences about the twins who were born to her. Therefore he was keen to meet his father and tell him all these details.

At the same time that Vandiyathevan had come to take Ponniyin Selvar to Pazhayarai, Parthibendran, the confidant of Adithan and a leader of his troops, was also there. Parthibendran insisted that it would be dangerous to go to either Thanjavur or Pazhayarai and the Prince should accompany him to Kanchi.

While the Prince was debating with himself, unable to decide where to go, the girl Poonkuzhali brought strange news. She announced that following the orders of Sundara Chozhar many Pazhuvettarayar men had come in two ships to arrest the Prince and take him back to Thanjavur.

Immediately, the Prince came to a decision. He volunteered to surrender. The elder Kodumbalur Velar, General Poodhi Vikrama Kesari and Parthibendran tried to prevent him, but did not succeed. The Prince was adamant about leaving. He took Poonkuzhali with him to show him the way.

Before they could reach the spot, one of the ships ran aground. The other ship was captured by some Arabs. Thinking that the Prince was in that ship, Vandiyathevan boarded it in haste. The Arabs caught him and tied him up. The magician Ravidasan and his comrade, who were on the same ship killed the Arabs and leaving Vandiyathevan alone, they rowed away in a boat. Just then, a fierce cyclone hit the ship.

Discovering that Vandiyathevan was on that ship, Ponniyin Selvar boarded Parthibendran's ship and followed it. This ship was also caught in the cyclone and struggled perilously. But it was steered well by skilled sailors.

Lightning struck the ship on which Vandiyathevan was standing all alone and it caught fire. Having seen him in the blaze, Ponniyin Selvar lowered a boat into the sea and went to his rescue. Battling the mountainous waves, he saved him. But a sail from the sinking ship hit their boat and broke it. Both of them grabbed that sail and floated on the sea near Bhootha Theevu. Poonkuzhali rowed her boat towards them and rescued them.

CHAPTER 1

At Kodikarai

Roaring in from the sea, the cyclone made its way swiftly along the shore. Signs of destruction were strewn along its entire path. The handiwork of Vayu, the God of the Wind, was apparent all the way from Kodikarai to Kaveripoompattinam. Innumerable trees lay uprooted, their branches broken. Roofs had been lifted off, shattered to Smithereens and scattered wide. Huts had been reduced to mere walls. The area around Kodikarai had become a sea. It was as if the sea had risen and entered the earth everywhere. All that remained was a stretch of white sandy beach, where water had seeped in at the spots where there were quicksands. Were man or beast to enter these areas, they would be buried alive! The quicksands would swallow and digest even elephants!

Two days after the cyclone, Periya Pazhuvettarayar and his entourage arrived in Kodikarai. The palanquin followed, but this time it was the Ilaya Rani Nandini herself who was in it. It was not necessary to transport Maduranthaka Thevar in secret this time. Indeed, Nandini herself had suggested that Pazhuvettarayar take her along with him occasionally so that her palanquin could be used for Maduranthaka Thevar if the need arose. Pazhuvettarayar had accepted this suggestion enthusiastically. Was it not natural for an old man, drowned in passion, to be eager to take a beautiful woman with him?

Before the cyclone struck, they had gone to Nagaipattinam, where the Chancellor completed his work.

In those days, Nagaipattinam was one of Tamil Nadu's leading ports. Huge ships carrying commodities from other lands landed continuously at this port and thousands of small boats transported the goods to the shore. Goods were taken to the ships from the shore as barter. Many officials had been appointed to levy on these goods. It was the responsibility of the Pazhuvettarayar, the Chancellor of the Chozha empire, to overview their work, wasn't it?

When Periya Pazhuvettarayar had completed his work, he visited the famous Choodamani Buddha Viharam at Nagapattinam, where the bhikshus received him with due respect and honour. He asked the bhikshus if they needed anything and whether they had any complaints. They replied in the negative to both questions and expressed their gratitude to the Emperor, Sundara Chozhar.

A few days earlier two bhikshus of the viharam had gone to Tanjavur to meet the Emperor. On behalf of the Buddhist Sangam, they expressed the hope that the Emperor would soon recover from his illness. They praised Arulmozhi Varmar's service in Lanka and said that the orders the Prince had given for the ruined Buddha viharas to be renovated were being carried out

Emperor! We also heard another bit of happy news. A large majority of the bhikshus feel that your younger son should be crowned king. They have been discussing this among themselves. What further proof do we need of our Prince's greatness?

As he listened to this, a strange thought occurred to Periya Pazhuvettarayar, which he confided to the Emperor after the -bhikshus left.

Lord of the three worlds! he said. Your authority is well established and has spread in all eight directions. There is not a single person in this vast universe who is not subject to your orders. However, your two beloved sons are exceptions to this. There are people in powerful positions in the Chozha empire who feed them evil ideas. Aditha Karikalar refuses to come here at your behest and sends you palm-leaf scrolls asking you to go to Kanchipuram. The person who gives him these ideas is none other than your father-in-law, Thirukoilur Malayaman. Similarly, you asked several times that your younger son be brought here from Eezham. I am tired of sending messenger after messenger. Kodumbalur Velan sees to it that our envoys do not meet the Prince nor our scrolls reach him. Otherwise, would your dear son, knowing your wishes, delay his return so long? Considering all this, I've thought of something. Do I have your permission to tell you?

On receiving the Emperor's consent, the Chancellor said, We'll order the arrest of Prince Arulmozhi, accusing him of conspiring to capture the throne of Lanka and be crowned King. Poodhi Vikrama Kesari cannot obstruct such an order. If we make sure the order is delivered in person to the Prince, he will definitely come back. .

The Emperor smiled. It was a strange suggestion, he thought, but why not try it? He realized his end was drawing near and the desire to see Ponniyin Selvan was growing within him. He wanted to confide his decision about the Empire to his beloved younger son. If Arulmozhivarman knew that he wished to give the kingdom of Thanjavur to Maduranthakan, he would agree unquestioningly. He could then use Arulmozhi to influence Aditha Karikalan to change his mind.

He therefore agreed to the Chancellor's suggestion and the order to arrest Arulmozhivarman was despatched. The ship's captain had strict instructions not to allow any harm to come to the Prince.

When two ships had left for Eezham with these orders, Periya Pazhuvettarayar began to feel rather worried . If anything were to happen to the Prince, he would be held responsible. He therefore decided to go to Nagaipattinam port himself, receive the Prince with due honours and bring him back to Thanjavur.

There were other reasons for this decision. The Prince could not be permitted to meet the Ilaya Piratti or the Periya Piratti before he arrived in Thanjavur to meet the Emperor. Both women wielded tremendous influence over the Prince and both hated the Pazhuvettarayars. They would be sure to tell him things that would corrupt his mind. Something unexpected could happen before the opportune moment arrived — that is, before Sundara Chozhar died — and ruin everything.

Moreover, ever since the guard in the treasury had been stabbed in the back, all sorts of doubts had arisen in Pazhuvettarayar's mind. Was someone hiding in the treasury? If so, who could it be? Could it be the Vana warrior, who had escaped from the Thanjavur fort without being caught by the guards? If it was him, would he not have discovered many more secrets?

Could the magician who often visited Nandini be connected with this, as Chinna Pazhuvettarayar claimed? He had to find out that as well.

The news that it was the Ilaya Piratti who had sent a scroll to Prince Arulmozhivarman through Vandiyathevan had upset the Chancellor's peace of mind. What could her message be? Could that she-serpent have got news of the decision that Sambuvaraiyar, he and others had taken about the succession to the Chozha throne? Could she have written about that?

Whatever it was, it would be best if he himself were to meet the Prince the minute he stepped on Chozha soil. Since the orders were to imprison Vandiyathevan as well, he had to see him too before anyone else did and find out how much he knew.

Because of all this, Periya Pazhuvettarayar decided to go to Nagaipattinam and wait there. Nandini Devi had even stronger reasons to be there. She was anxious to meet Vandiyathevan again and find out what message Kundavai had sent through him. She was also eager to find out how far Ravidasan, the magician, had succeeded in his mission. So she said that she too wished to go to Nagaipattinam. Does one have to be paid to eat sugar cane? The old man accepted with alacrity. He began to dream of a pleasant cruise with Nandini along the seashore. He hoped he would find an opportunity to appease the passion that consumed him, body and mind.

The cyclone struck while Pazhuvettarayar and Nandini were in Nagaipattinam. Nandini enjoyed the wind's cruel antics and delighted in watching the towering waves rise as high as the coconut trees. But Pazhuvettarayar's desire to go on a pleasure trip along the seashore remained unfulfilled.

When the cyclone had wrought its havoc and abated, Pazhuvettarayar made enquiries about the damage it had caused to the ships and boats at sea. He was told that since people had been warned about the cyclone, there had not been much damage. However, some fishermen who had gone out in catamarans said they had seen two ships being tossed around in the sea between Kodikarai and Eezham and that one of them had caught fire and sunk. This threw Pazhuvettarayar into a frenzy of worry. Had they been the ships sent to take the Prince captive? In that case, what had the Prince's fate been? If anything happened to the Prince, he, Pazhuvettarayar, would be blamed for it. For wasn't Arulmozhi Varmar greatly loved by the Chozha people? What would he tell the people about the Prince? How would he console the Emperor? He was very anxious to gather some news. Perhaps he would get some information if he went to Kodikarai. Maybe there were people who had actually seen the ship sinking, or survivors who had managed to get home. Yes, he had to go to Kodikarai at Once.

When he spoke of his plans to Nandini, she accepted them eagerly. I've never seen Kodikarai. I've heard the region is very beautiful. This is an occasion to see it, she said.

There were two routes to Kodikarai from Nagaipattinam. They could go by boat through the long channel that ran along the seashore or they could go by road. Since the Pazhuvettarayar entourage was a big one, they went by road. Besides, Nandini did not want to go by boat, fearing that Pazhuvettarayar would start to declare his love for her. And then, if they went by road, it would be easier to question those who came ashore from the catamarans and the boats.

But the enquiries they made on the way revealed nothing new. A few more people said they had seen a ship burning in the middle of the sea during the cyclone.

When they arrived in Kodikarai, the lighthouse keeper, Thyaga Vidangar, offered the Pazhuvettarayar couple his simple dwelling. He begged them to move into it. There were no palaces in Kodikarai for them to stay in. But Nandini refused, and said she wanted a tent pitched near the lighthouse.

Accordingly, tents were pitched for them, and, a short distance from them, for their entourage.

Just as the tents were put up, a big ship came into view. It stopped as close as it could to the shore and laid anchor.

Pazhuvettarayar was very excited to see it. One glance at its sails was enough to confirm that the ship had weathered a cyclone. Who, he wondered, were its occupants? The Prince, perhaps? It was no surprise that the tiger standard was not visible. It must have been torn to shreds by the storm.

Pazhuvettarayar dispatched a boat to gather information from the ship. It seemed as if the people in the ship had been waiting for the boat because, as soon as it neared, two of them lowered themselves. One of them was Parthibendra Pallavan.

Prince Arulmozhivarman had left the ship in a boat to rescue Vandiyathevan and had not returned. Parthibendran had therefore become very worried. When the wind died down and day broke, he steered his ship hither and thither, searching desperately. He had found someone who was half dead, who had described the fate of the boat after the Prince had valorously rescued Vandiyathevan. Parthibendran's sorrow had deepened and he kept hoping the Prince had been washed ashore alive near Kodikarai.

He had therefore decided to come to Kodikarai and make enquiries there and had come ashore with this purpose. To his great irritation, he learnt that Periya Pazhuvettarayar was there with the Ilaya Rani.

He remembered what Aditha Karikalar had told him about the Pazhavoor Ilaya Rani, Nandini. A small temptation came alive in a corner of his heart to see that charmer who had stolen the great warrior's heart and made him lose his head. As time passed, this desire grew more intense and became a flame that consumed him. He was worried that he might never get to see her at all.

However, this fear was not long-lived. As soon as the boat touched land, Parthibendran was taken to a tent. Pazhuvettarayar stood at the entrance, a picture of dignity. Parthibendran realized how wrong he had been to think of this majestic person as old. Compared to many young men, in both appearance and strength of mind, he was a lion.

A woman emerged from the tent, like lightning from behind the clouds, a golden flower that blinded him with her lustre. Next to Pazhuvettarayar, she looked like a beautiful vine entwining a tall teak tree. Parthibendran was transfixed by the enchantress. Riveting her spear-like eyes on him, she asked, My heart, who is this brave warrior? I've not seen him before. Her sweet voice intoxicated Parthibendran as if he had drunk potent liquor from a golden cup.

CHAPTER 2

The Web of Desire

Old men who marry young women inhabit an illusory world of suspicion and have a natural aversion to strangers. Pazhuvettarayar had ample reason to feel annoyed. He was not at all pleased at the way Nandini had spoken in his presence but he found it difficult to admonish her.

So all he said was: Rani! The world is full of people we do not know. It's not possible to meet everyone or get to know them. Nor do we lose anything because of that.

Parthibendran said: Ayya! The Chozha Chancelloros consort loses nothing if she does not know me. I am the loser. Let me introduce myself. Ammani! I am known as Parthibendra Pallavan.

Oh! Is that so? I've heard your name somewhere, said Nandini.

Parthibendra! Why did you leave out your titles and mention only your name? Since when have you become so modest and self-effacing? Nandini! He is not just Parthibendran, he is the Parthibendra Pallavan who conquered Vengi and Kalingam and took Veerapandyan's head! exclaimed Pazhuvettarayar.

For a moment Nandini's face darkened like a threatening sky. Two flashes of lightning shot from her eyes, lit up her face and disappeared at once. The next moment she laughed heartily.

Ayya! Has a count been made of the many people who have claimed the proud title of having beheaded Veerapandiyar? she asked.

Ammani! The Chancellor said that only out of affection for me. Actually, I am not entitled to that honour. Aditha Karikalar is the only person who can rightfully claim the credit of having beheaded Veerapandyan.

Why, Appane? Why do you say that? Didn't you too have a share in killing that dead snake? Pazhuvettarayar's tone was derisive. He laughed mischievously.

"No, Prince, no! Aditha Karikalar did not kill a dead snake. When he swung his sword, Veerapandyan was a snake that was fully alive. A woman as beautiful as a divine Mohini[14] came forward and, with folded hands, asked that his life be spared. Had I been there with a drawn sword, I would have flung it far away and Veerapandyan would have escaped with his life," said Parthibendran to Pazhuvettarayar, his eyes fixed intently on Nandini's face.

Realizing that the conversation was becoming dangerous, Nandini looked at Pazhuvettarayar and said, My heart! Why rake up an old story? Let's find out why he's here.

Pazhuvettarayar said at once: "Yes! Thambi! There's no point talking about the past! Tell us your story. When did you leave Kanchi? Where were you going? Why have you come here?'

Parthibendran, who had been mesmerized by Nandini suddenly remembered his mission.

Ayya! Forgive me! I digressed. I have come with very important news, news that can plunge the Chozha kingdom into a sea of sorrow. Prince Arulmozhivarmar, who came with me from Lanka in my ship, jumped into the sea during the cyclone. We do not know what happened to him. I came to find out whether he has found shelter here, said Parthibendran.

Before he could finish, Pazhuvettarayar screamed. Aaah! What did you say? and collapsed like a tree uprooted by a cyclone.

Parthibendran rushed forward to catch him, but Nandini blocked him, gripped his outstretched hand and pushed it aside. Placing Pazhuvettarayar's head on her lap, she shouted, Water! Water!

A maid fetched water from the tent. A few soldiers and the lighthouse keeper and his family came running up. With great dignity, Nandini ordered them to stand aside. She sprinkled water on Pazhuvettarayar's face and murmured. My heart! My heart! In a few minutes, the old man regained consciousness, opened his eyes and suddenly sat up.

"Nandini! Is it true, what I heard? What did this Pallavan say? That the sea took Ponniyin Selvan away? When that brave young man was a little child, I used to love picking him up with these hands and placing him on my shoulders. With the same hands, I set the seal on the orders to have him arrested