Chereads / Son of Ponni / Chapter 13 - Chapter 13 - The Waxing Moon

Chapter 13 - Chapter 13 - The Waxing Moon

After the princesses' chariot disappeared from sight, the astrologer took Vandhiyathevan inside the house. He sat on his altar. He asked the young man, who was looking around, to sit down; He looked him up and down.

"Brother! Who are you? Where did you come?" asked Vandhiyathevan, laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"No, you are such a famous astrologer and you are questioning me? Can't you see from astrology who I am and why I have come to you?"

"Oh! So what? I'll take care of it. But if I do astrology for myself, I wonder who will give dakshina."

Vandhiyathevan smiled and said, "Astrologer! Have they come here now? Who are they?"

"Oh! Are they? I know who you are talking about. I know, brother, I know! You are talking about the people who were here when you dragged my disciple in, aren't you? Isn't it about the people who got into the chariot and stirred up dust behind them?" asked the Kudanthai astrologer round.

"Yes, yes! I asked about them..."

"Listen well. Who says don't ask? They're two women!"

"I know it myself; Astrologer! I am not blind. I can distinguish between men and women. Even if it were a man disguised as a woman, I would know."

"Then what are you asking?..?"

"If women are women, they are so-and-so, so-and-so."

"Oh! Is that what you're asking? Among women, there are four castes called Padmini, Siddhini, Gandharvi and Vidyadhari. You seem to have some training in Samudrika Lakshana Shastra. Of those four castes, they belong to the Padmini and Gandharvi castes."

"Oh my God..."

"Why? Uncle!"

"When I call out to God, you ask, 'Why?'

"What's wrong with that? Haven't you heard that God is Sarvaantaryami? You don't seem to have much of an adult company! God is what is in me; God is what is within you. God is also the one in my disciple whom you dragged in..."

"Enough, enough, stop."

"It was God who told me to talk for so long; Now God tells you to stop!"

"Astrologer! Who are these women who have just left, what town, what tribe, what name? If you don't say anything.."

"What will you give me if I tell you!"

"I will give you my thanksgiving."

"Keep your regards to yourself. Tell me if you want to donate any gold!"

"Are you sure if you give me gold?"

"I'll only tell you if I can say that! Younger brother! Listen to this. Many people will come to the house with the astrologer. Don't tell someone about the other. I wont tell you about those who are gone. If anyone else asks about you, I won't say a word to them about you."

"Aha! What Azhvarkadiyan Nambi said about you is absolutely true."

"Azhvarkadiar? Who is he, someone like that?"

"Don't you know, do you? He spoke as if he knew you. Haven't you heard of Azhvarkadiyan Nambi?"

"Maybe you know the man; I can't remember the name, tell me a sign, let's see!"

"He's short and short, and he's got a front tuft. He would have tied the dhoti tightly around his thigh. He would have applied sandalwood paste all over his body from bottom to top. If he sees Saivas, he will fight. If he sees an Advaitis, he will raise his stick. Just a while ago, you said, 'You are also God and I am God,' and if Azhvarkadiyan had heard this, he would have said 'God is attacking God!' and would have come to beat him with a stick..."

"Brother! If you add up everything you say, you seem to be talking about Thirumalaiappan.."

"Does he have different names?"

"The brave Vaishnava will give the town a name."

"He will dress up as a man!"

"Aha! He will also dress up for the occasion."

"Is there a little bit of imagination and falsehood in what you say?"

"Three-quarters and a half, there will be lies and imaginings; Maybe it's half true."

"Tell him he is a very wicked man!"

"I can't say that. He is good to the good; Wicked to the wicked."

"There's nothing you can do with him."

"To believe or not to believe depends on what is said..."

"For example, he said that if you go to you and ask for astrology, you will tell you well..."

"I thought there was half truth in what he said, and it added to that half-blow."

"Then give me some astrology and prediction; It's time for me to go, sir!"

"Where do you have to go in such a hurry, Appan!"

"Can't you tell me that from astrology? I have come to ask you about where to go, where not to go, and whether it will be possible if I go."

"You need some proof for astrology and predictions, Appan! Have a horoscope; If there is no horoscope, at least the birthday and star should be known; If you don't know that, you have to tell me the name of the town."

"My name is Vandhiyathevan!"

"Aha! Are you from the Varnar tribe?"

"Yes."

"Is Vallavaraiyan Vandhiyathevan?"

"That's him."

"Say so, brother! Shouldn't I have told you before? I even had your horoscope! If you look for it, you will find it."

"Oho! How's that?"

"What else do astrologers like me do? We will collect all the horoscopes of the children and women born in the big family."

"I'm not born in such a big family..."

"Well said! What a tribe you are! How many poets have sung about the Varnar tribe! Maybe you didn't ask."

"Recite a poem, let's hear it."

The astrologer immediately said the following verse:

"Vaanan praise vaayundo magadarkone

It was evident when he sang that the astrologer was not a poet of music. However, he set the song on the farm and sang it with great detail and passion.

"How's Kavi?" he asked.

"It's good for the poet's ear. But only if I tie my own flag to the horn of some ox. The government will bear my blow only if I stand on the branch of the pipal tree; Even that is doubtful. Even if the branch breaks under the weight and pushes me down, it will push me down!" said Vandhiyathevan.

"Such is your situation to-day; Who knows what tomorrow will be like?" asked the astrologer.

"Didn't I come thinking you would have seen it?" said Vallavarayan.

"What did I see, brother! Am I not a short-lived man like everyone else? But the planets and stars tell future events. I find out a little bit of what they say and tell the listeners, that's it!"

"What do the planets and stars say about me, astrologer?"

"They say you will rise day by day."

"That's right! The height is much higher now. You have to bend when you enter your house! What to do with even higher? Say something specific, not in general."

"If you ask anything specific, I'll be specific."

"Is it possible for me to go to Thanjavur? Tell me."

"If you are going to Thanjavur on your own business, the mission will be accomplished. Now you have the highest number of victories. If it is going to be someone else's business, you should look at the horoscopes of those people and tell them!"

Vandhiyathevan shook his head and put his finger on his nose and said, "Astrologer! I have never seen anyone as clever as you!"

"Don't be flattering, brother!" said the astrologer.

"Let it be. I will clearly hear what needs to be heard. I want to see the emperor in Thanjavur, is that possible?"

"There are two astrologers bigger than me in Thanjavur, you have to ask them."

"Who are they?"

"One of the great Pazhuvertaraiyars; One of the younger Pazhuvertaraiyars."

"They say the emperor's health has deteriorated? Is that true?"

"Someone will say something! What is there to say? Don't believe all that! Don't tell me outside!"

"If something happens to the emperor, can you tell me who will be the next king?"

"The next degree is not for you; Neither do I; Why should we care about that?"

"We survived that much!" said Vandhiyathevan.

"It's true, brother! Inheritance to the title is no ordinary matter; Isn't that dangerous!"

"Astrologer! Prince Athitha Karikalar is currently in Kanji."

"There is. You have come on his behalf!"

"You have found it at last; Happiness, how is his yoga."

"I don't have horoscopes, brother! You have to look at it."

"How is Prince Mathuranthakar's yoga?"

"His is a strange horoscope. Similar to women's horoscopes. Always being dominated by others..."

"Even now they say that there is a female rule in Chola Nadu? They say it's worse than the Alli Kingdom?"

"Where do they say that, brother?"

"North of Kollidam?"

"The elder Pazhuvertaraiyar seems to be talking about the influence of the newly married junior Rani."

"What I've heard is different."

"What did you hear?"

"They say that only the emperor's daughter Kundavai is ruling like that!"

The astrologer stared at Vandhiyathevan's face. He tried to know from his face that it was Kundavai Devi who had just left the house. But there was no sign of it.

"It's wrong, brother! Emperor Sundara Chola is in Thanjai and Kundavai Piratti is in Pazhaiyarai and..."

"What's more? Why did you stop?"

"You have to look at the side during the day; Don't talk about it at night. But it doesn't hurt to tell you. What power does the emperor have now? Aren't the Pazhuvertaraiyars wielding all the powers!"

Having said this, the astrologer looked carefully at Vandhiyathevan's face once again.

"Astrologer! I am not Pazhuvertaraiyar's spy; Don't doubt that. Just now you spoke of the impermanence of kingdoms and dynasties. You gave the example of the Varnar tribe where I was born. Please tell me the truth; What will be the future of the Chola dynasty?"

"To tell you the truth; I say it without a doubt. By the end of the month of June, there will be new floods in Cauvery and its tributaries. Those on the banks of Cauvery know very well that it is a new flood that is going to increase day by day. The floods will continue till Aavani and Purattasi. Floods will start receding during Karthigai and Margazhi. Those on the banks of Cauvery will know that this is a flood. The Chola empire now resembles a new flood that is increasing day by day. It will continue to multiply for hundreds of years. The Chola Empire is now the waxing moon. The full moon is still several days away. Therefore, more and more Chola Maharaja will continue to grow.."

"After talking to you all this time, you have made this one thing clear. Thank you, tell me one more thing if you can. I have been wanting to sail and sail for a long time..."

"That wish will certainly come to pass; You are a coward. You will be spinning incessantly as if you had a wheel on your feet. You will walk; You will ride on horseback; You will go on an elephant; You will go on a ship; You have the yogam of sailing soon."

"Sir! Can you tell us about the commander of the southern army, the prince Arulmozhivarmar who is now waging war in Eelam? What do the planets and stars say about him?"

"Brother! Sailors use a magnetic instrument to find direction. Lighthouses are also used. But do you know what helps sailors in the middle of the ocean? It is the Pole Star on the horizon in the north. All the other stars and planets will continue to move. The Saptarishi Mandala will also travel in a different direction. But the Pole Star remains where it was. Prince Arulmozhivarmar, the youngest son of Sundara Chola emperor is like that pole star. He has a strong will that does not disturb anything. He is as good in sacrifice and discipline as well as in heroism. He is as knowledgeable as he is literate. He is a milky weed-faced man who can be said to be hungry just by looking at him; Son of the Goddess of Fortune. Just as sailors mark the pole star, it would be very beneficial for young men like you who enter the sea of life to aim for Arulmozhivarmar."

"Oh my God! How much do you say about Prince Arulmozhivarmar? Aren't you describing a lover like a lover?"

"Brother! If you ask anyone in Chola Nadu on the banks of Cauvery, he will say the same as me."

"Thank you very much, astrologer! If the time arises, I will do your advice."

"I knew your lucky planet had peaked."

"Goodbye, astrologer. With my sincere thanks I offer a little of the gold I can; Please take it."

Saying this, Vandhiyathevan presented five kalajus of gold coins.

"The generosity of the Varnar tribe is not gone yet!" said the astrologer and took the gold.