About 1020 years ago , King Ko Rajakesari Varmar Paranthaka Sundara Chola was an unparalleled emperor in the South. He ascended the throne twelve years before the time of our story. For the last hundred years the Cholas had been gaining strength day by day. The Chola empire was spreading in all directions. However, by the time Sundara Cholar came to the throne, his enemies in the south and north were strong. Kandarathithar who ruled before Sundara Cholar was famous as 'Sivagnana Kandarathithar' for his devotion to Lord Shiva. He was not very interested in expanding the kingdom. Kandarathithar was succeeded by his brother Arinjaya who was on the throne for only a year. After he was 'Thunjiyil Aatur' in Thondainadu, his son Paranthaka Sundara Cholar ascended the throne of Tanjore.
Emperor Sundara Chola had all the best qualities that an emperor should have. Early in his reign the mighty Sundara Cholar marched southwards. A great battle took place between the Chola army and the Pandya army at Sevur. At that time, the Sinhalese king Mahinda had sent a large army to help Veera Pandyan, the king of Madurai. The mighty Chola army defeated the Pandyan army and the Sinhalese army at Sevur. Veera Pandyan escaped from the battlefield, losing his army, losing his hair, losing his help, saving only his life. He hid in a mountain cave in the middle of a desert and began to spend his time. The Eezham army was almost annihilated in the battle of Sevur. Some of the remaining warriors fled to Eelanadu after shedding their glory and valour on the battlefield.
Thus it had been customary for some time for the Sinhalese kings to intervene in the wars between the Pandyas and the Colas and send reinforcements to the Pandyas. Emperor Sundara Chola wanted to abolish this practice completely. So he thought of sending a Chola army to Sri Lanka to teach the Sinhalese kings. Parantaka of the Kodumbalur chieftain family sent a large army to the Sinhalese under the command of a general named Siriya Velan. Unfortunately, the Chola army did not reach Sinhalese all at once. There are no necessary shipping facilities. The army on its first appearance began to advance without thinking. The Sinhalese army under the command of Mahindarajan's general Sena came unexpectedly and surrounded the Chola army. A terrible battle ensued. In it, Parantakan, the Chola commander and the little farmer established his heroic reputation and gave up his life! Parantaka of Eezham came to be known as 'Siriya Velan' in historical inscriptions.
When this news reached Veera Pandyan who was hiding in a mountain cave in the desert, the king came out again with courage. Again he gathered a large army and fought. This time the Pandya army suffered a defeat and Veera Pandyan had to die. In this battle, Sundara Cholar's eldest son Athitha Karikalar was in the forefront and performed valiant deeds. He also attained the title 'Veera Pandiyan-headed Kopparakesari'.
However, the desire to teach a good lesson to the Sinhalese king Mahinthan was in the hearts of not only Sundara Chola emperor but also the Chola Nadu commanders, samanthakas and army soldiers. A large army was also ready to invade. The question arose as to who would lead it. Sundara Cholar's eldest son – the crown prince Athitha Karikalar had gone to the north at that time. He was making the ancient city of Kanchi his abode after defeating and driving out the Rashtrakutas who had been dominating Tirumunaipadi Nadu and Tondaimandalam for some time. He was also preparing for an expedition to the north.
At this juncture there was a great competition among the other commanders of the Cola country for the command of the Eelam army. Jealousy and backbiting arose from the competition. It is wonderful to see a man in ancient Tamil Nadu who wanted to escape from the war. The competition will be as to who will go to the battlefield. Sometimes jealousy and hostility grow out of it.
At this time a rivalry arose among the leaders of the Cola country as to who would go to Ceylon and avenge Mahinda and establish the heroic glory of the Colas. Arulmozhivarmar, the young son of Sundara Chola came forward to pacify everyone by abolishing this rivalry.
"Daddy! It was enough that I grew up as a pet in Pazhaiyarai palace among aunts and grandmothers for so long. Appoint me as the hero of the southern army. I myself am going to Ilankai to lead the Eelam war," said Elango Arulmozhivarmar.
Arulmozhivarmar was only nineteen years old. He was the youngest son of Sundara Cholar; He was the beloved child of all the queens who lived in the palaces of Pazhaiyarai; He is the pet of Chola Nadu. King Sundara Chola had a handsome appearance. His father Arinjayar married Kalyani, a daughter of the Vaidumparayar dynasty, who was enemies of the Chola tribe, because of her beauty. Paranthakar was the name given to Sundara Cholar by his parents, who was born to Arinjaya and Kalyani. Seeing the beauty of his appearance, the people of the country and the city called him "Sundara Cholar" which became the name given by all.
All the children born to such a person are full of beauty. But Arulmozhivarmar, who was born last, surpassed everyone in beauty. The beauty of his face was not only of humanity; It was divine. When he was a child, the queens of the Chola dynasty used to kiss him and make his cheeks soft. His sister Kundavai was the most fond of him all. Arulmozhi had a similar desire for Kundavai. The brother does not cross the line drawn by him. It is enough for the junior stateswoman to say a word; On the contrary, Arulmozhivarmar would not mind if Brahma, Vishnu and Siva came together. The word of the brother was the word of the god.
She would often stare at her brother's face. Not only when he was awake, but even when he was asleep, she would count the hours. "This child has some divine power! It's up to me to show it and make it shine!" When her brother slept, she would often take his palms and look at them. The lines on those hands appear to her as a conch shell wheel. "Aha! Isn't he born to roam the world under the shade of an umbrella?"
But there was no reason to think that he would ascend the Chola throne. He had two seniors—those who were entitled to the title. Then, where will his kingdom come from? What throne is he going to ascend? How is God's will, who has seen it? The world is vast, and there are so many nations, so many kingdoms on this earth. Haven't we heard in stories and epics about those who went from one country to another and ascended the throne and ruled the kingdom by their might? Didn't the prince who was chased out of Bengal by the Ganges go to Lanka in a boat and rule? Didn't that Sinhala dynasty survive for a thousand years?
Thus Kundavai Pratti pondered incessantly. Finally, when there was a debate about who would be the commander of the army to be sent to Ilankai, she came to the conclusion that Arulmozhi was the one who deserved it.
"Brother, Arulmozhi! How hard it is for me to be away from you for a moment. But the time has come for me to tell you to go myself. You have to go as the leader of the Ilankai army!"
To this the prince gladly assented. Arulmozhivarmar's heart was beating wondering when he would escape from the palace life and the embrace of the harem madarasis. Dear sister, she has asked me to go now! What's the ban now? If Kundavai Devi makes up her mind, nothing will happen in the Chola empire! Emperor Sundara Chola was so fond of his beloved daughter; So much confidence!
Ilango Arulmozhivarmar became the Matanda Nayaka of the southern Chola army. He also went to Ceylon, where he commanded the army and waged war for some time. But the war does not end easily. There was a difference between the way he waged war and that of others. Supplies and ceremonies did not arrive from his homeland exactly as he wanted. So he had come to his homeland once in between. He told his father and made all the arrangements according to his wish. He was ready to go to Eelam again.
Kundavai Devi had arranged auspicious events in the main palace of Pazhaiyarai to send her beloved brother to the battlefield. When Arulmozhi Thevar left, victory drums sounded in the palace courtyard; The associations roared; Small drums sounded; Congratulatory chants filled the air. All the mothers of the Chola tribe blessed the beloved child of the palace, put the enchanted sacred water on their foreheads, sent them on their way after the drishti.
At the entrance of the palace and at the place where Arulmozhivarmar had to descend the street entrance, Kundavai Devi's friends stood with gold plates lit with lamps in their hands. Girlfriends mean commoners? They belonged to the families of famous feudatories in the south. They had considered it a privilege to serve Chempian Madevi in the Pazhaiyarai palace and to be a friend of Kundavai stateswoman. Among them was Vanathi, the daughter of Kodumbalur small Velan. When the girls saw the prince approaching at a distance, they were all excited. As the prince approached, the plates were wrapped around them.
At that time, Vanathi's whole body trembled suddenly. The plate in his hand slipped and fell to the ground, making a 'danar' sound. "Oh no! What a bad omen this is!" thought in everyone's mind. But everyone was relieved to see that the wick was still burning even after the plate had fallen. 'This is a very good omen,' the old men affirmed.
Ilango Arulmozhivarmar smiled at the woman who had slipped the plate without any reason and went upstairs. As soon as he left, Vanathi also fainted and collapsed on the ground. 'Aha! The thought that we have made such a mistake made Vanathi faint like that. On Kundavai's orders, the other women carried her and made her lie on the stage in a room. Without even stopping to watch her brother leave, Kundavai went inside and tried to make Vanathi faint. Standing at the door, Arulmozhivarmar saw Vanathi curled up and asked before he could mount his horse, "How is the woman who fell? Have you fainted?" he sent someone to inquire. Kundavai Devi sent back to the inquirer, "Ask the prince to come here and see for a while!" The prince, who had never heard his word, came back into the palace. The sight of Vanathi resting her sister on her chest and trying to calm her consciousness moved him.
"Sister! Who is this woman? What is her name?" asked Ilango.
"Daughter of Kodumbalur Siriya Velar; Her name is Vanathi; She is a little timid!" said Kundavai.
"Aha! Now she knew the reason for her fainting. Wasn't this girl's father himself who went to Lanka and died on the battlefield without coming back? She seems to have thought of that!" said the prince.
"Maybe, but don't worry about her! I'll take care of it! Go to Ilankai and come back victorious soon! Keep sending me messages often!" said the junior stateswoman.
"So be it; If anything special happens here, send me a message!" said Ilango.
At this time, perhaps due to the glory of the prince's sweet voice, Vanathi fainted and began to remember. Her eyes opened slightly at first. His eyes widened when he saw the prince in front of him; Then his face brightened. Her cheeks drooped at the smile on her coral rosion. She blushed as soon as she came to her senses, and sat up abruptly. She looked back; She was ashamed to know that the junior stateswoman was supporting her, and in a moment she remembered all that had happened.
"Sister! Have I done this?" she said with tears in her eyes.
Before Kundavai could reply, the prince said, "You don't have to worry about that. Vanathi! Failure can happen to anyone. And there is an important reason why this should happen to you; That's what I was telling the junior stateswoman!"
Vanathi had doubts whether what she saw was true or what she heard. Is the prince who is in the habit of not looking at women casually talking to me? Is he comforting me? What shall I call my privilege? Aha! Your body is screaming! I feel like I'm going to faint again...
The prince said, "Sister! The armies are waiting, and I am leaving. When you send me a message, tell me how this girl is. Take good care of this fatherless girl!" and left.
Kundavaidevi's other friends were watching and listening to all this from the balconies through the windows. A fire of jealousy burned in their hearts. From that day onwards Kundavai Pratti started showing special love to Vanathi. She kept it to herself. She taught her the education and arts she had learned. She even took her wherever she went. Kundavai Devi often took Vanathi to the palace garden and spoke to her privately. She told her all the dreams she had had of her younger brother's future greatness; Vanathi listened to all this with interest.
After the above incident, Vanathi lost consciousness four or five more times and fainted. At that time Kundavai Pratti treated her and regained her senses. When Vanathi regained consciousness, she would wake up sobbing.
"What's the matter! Why are you crying like this?" asked Kundavai.
"I don't know, Sister! I'm sorry!" said Vanathi.
Kundavai would hug her and console her. All this made the other women more and more jealous. So, after Kundavai and Vanathi got into the chariot and went to the Kudanthai astrologer's house, wasn't it natural for the women to talk like this?