The army of Velakara warriors went through the big bazaar. Some of the soldiers at the end of the troopers played a few games in the bazaar. A man entered a food stall and brought a basket full of rice and distributed it to the other soldiers, and when he dropped the empty basket on the shopkeeper's head, the soldiers and passers-by laughed loudly, 'Hahahaha'. Another soldier snatched a basket of flowers from the hand of an old woman he met on the way. Scattering all the flowers, he said, "It is raining flowers!" The soldiers jumped and laughed as they tried to catch the flowers he thrown. A bullock cart was stopped by another soldier, unlocked, and chased away. The ox got frightened and ran through the crowd and pushed some people; Again there was laughter!
Vandhiyathevan, who was watching all this, said, "Aha! They are playing like Pazhuvertaraiyar's soldiers. Their game is a reward for others. Thankfully, we did not catch their gaze on us. Otherwise there would have been a fight. It must have been ruined," he thought.
But there was only one difference. The people here did not hate the games of the Velakara soldiers. The people laughed and rejoiced in their laughter! When he turned around to ask about this, Vandhiyathevan did not see the boy standing with the flower pots. The young man had gone somewhere in the crowd and in the commotion. Maybe he went to see his work.
Vandhiyathevan learned that after the Velakara army left the fort in the evening, they would not let anyone else in. Only members of the royal family, ministers and dandanayakas had the right to enter the fort at any time of the day or night. Vandhiyathevan knew that the Pazhuvertaraiyars' family also had that right. So he had changed his mind to go into the fort at night. Vandhiyathevan did not want to test his seal with the ring he had. It is better to stay outside the fort for the night and explore the city and then go inside the fort after sunrise tomorrow. Even if you enter the fort at night, isn't it impossible to visit the king and give him a letter?
Vandhiyathevan walked slowly through the streets around the fort wall, watching. His horse was tired after a long journey that day. It will soon have to be put to rest. Otherwise this horse will be useless tomorrow when the need arises! We must soon find a comfortable place to stay! Tanjore was then a newly expanding city. It was evening; Hundreds of street lamps had been lit and began to glow.
The streets were crowded with 'Hurrah, Hurrah'. People who had come from other places on various business were moving hither and thither. Among them were those who came from the towns and villages of Chola Nadu. There were also people who came from the countries that were newly under the Chola empire. Many people had come to the capital from countries extending from the Poruna river to the banks of the Palar river, from the eastern coast to the west coast. People from the north of the Vindhyas and even from overseas countries appeared in the streets of the city.
In the shops selling appam, athirasam and other snacks, people were swarming like flies and buying them. Mountains of bananas and other fruits were piled up. Not to mention flower shops. Jasmine, Jasmine, Thiruaathi and Shenbagam looked like Pushpak hills. Women buzzed like beetles around the hills of flowers.
When he went near the flower shops, Vandhiyathevan thought of the young florist. How convenient it would be if I could see him again! Why don't you ask him for a comfortable place to stay in the city?... While he was thinking like this, Vandhiyathevan saw the young man approaching at a distance. He dismounted and approached him.
"Brother! I don't see any of the flowers." Where are all the flowers? Has it been sold?"
"I didn't bring flowers to sell. I brought flowers for the temple puja; The flower has been given; I'm going back home."
"To which temple are you doing this Pushpak Kainkariyam?"
"Have you ever heard of the temple of Thalikulathar?"
"Oh! I have heard that Thanjai Thalikulathaar. That temple seems to be the big one, is it?"
"No; For some time, the Durga Amman temple in Thanjavur has been in great glory. Pooja, Pongal and Bali festival demonstrations are more there. The royal family and the Pazhuvertaraiyars go to the Durga Amman temple more. The Thalikulathar temple is not so glorious; People don't come so much for darshan..."
"Are you doing this Pushpak Kainkariyam? Is there any reward for this?"
"Our family has a subsidy for this. From the time of my grandfather there is a relief from the emperor Kandarathitha. Right now, my mother and I are doing this work."
"Is the Thalikulathar temple a brick renovation? Or have they done granite work?" asked Vallavarayan.
He asked this because he had seen many brick temples being renovated with granite on his way.
"It's a brick temple now; It is heard that the granite renovation work will start soon. The great stateswoman of Pazhaiyar wants this renovation work to be carried out immediately, but.." – the young man hesitated and stopped.
"But what?..?"
"What's the use of telling you all that's been heard? I have heard it said, Look at the side during the day and don't talk at night. This is the meeting place of the quadrangle; People all around us..."
"You can stand in a place like this and talk about any secret. No one will hear us in this great crowd and noise."
"What secret is there to speak?" asked the young man, looking at Vandhiyathevan a little suspiciously.
Aha! This child is very clever! It is worth making friends with him! You can learn a lot of things! But don't create unnecessary doubts in his mind – Vandhiyathevan thought thus, "Yes; What's the secret? Nothing. Let it go, brother! I must sleep peacefully somewhere at night. I have travelled a long way and am very tired. Where to stay? Can you help me with a guide to a good hotel?"
"What's short of places to stay in this city? There are so many inns; There are also royal lodges for visitors from abroad. But if you like..."
"Brother! What is your name?" asked Vandhiyathevan.
"Amuthan; Senthan Amuthan."
"Oh no! How good a name? When I hear it, my tongue is soaking... Didn't you start saying that I could come and stay in your house if I liked?"
"Yes, how did you know that?"
"I have magic; So I know where your house is?"
"Our garden is within calling distance of the city limits; Our house is also inside the garden," said Amuthan.
"Aha! Then Ill come to your house. I cant spend the night in the hustle and bustle of the city. And I wish to see Uttami who has begotten a noble son like you."
"The mother who gave birth to me is Uttami; But unlucky..."
"Oh no! Why do you say that?"
"Maybe your father..."
"My father is dead; But that's not all, my mother was born unlucky. You'll find out if you see it, let's go."
Half an hour later, they came to the flower garden across the town. The sweet fragrance of the flowers blooming at night made Vandhiyathevan feel strangely happy. There was not much noise and noise in the streets of the city. There was a tiled house in the middle of the garden. There were two huts nearby, occupied by two families who had helped in gardening. Amuthan called one of them and told him to feed Vandhiyathevan's horse and tie it under the tree.
Then he took her into the house. When Vandhiyathevan saw Amuthan's mother, he knew that her misfortune was such. It turned out that the old woman was dumb and deaf. But Vandhiyathevan saw that the queen's face was full of compassion and love. The light of sharp intellect also radiated from his face. Isn't it one of the peculiarities of creation that people who are generally handicapped in one part or the other are otherwise highly intelligent?
When Amuthan gave a few signals, the old woman came to know that the visitor was a guest from a foreign country. She expressed her sympathy and welcome with her facial expression. In a little while the woman served the food with leaves. First came Idiyappam and sweet coconut milk. Vandhiyathevan had never drunk such a sweet dish in his life. He ate ten to twelve idiyappam and half a cup of coconut milk. Then came the tamarind and cornstarch; He saw them with one hand. Even so, his hunger was not satisfied; Finally, he ate a quarter of rice and half a cup of curd! Then he got up from the leaf.
While eating, he asked Amuthan a few things. He inquired who was in the Thanjai fortress at that time apart from Sundara Chola emperor and his palace entourage, who was more important. The palaces and retinue of the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar and the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar were there. Since both his treasure and grain were in the fort, there were officers and accountants in charge of them. Anirutha Brahmarayar, a minister and Thirumanthiram Olainayakar who enjoyed Sundara Cholar's personal trust and admiration, lived inside the fort. And the soldiers who guarded the Thanjai fortress under the leadership of the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar and their families stayed there. Gold and silver jewellers, jewellers and jewellers and ponnacharis were given space in the fort. There were hundreds of tax officials under the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar. The Durga temple was in a corner of the fort. The temple priests, servants and Kanikaiyar lived near the temple.
After knowing all this, Vandhiyathevan asked, "Are all the ministers in the fort now?"
"How is everybody? Anirutha Brahmarayar has not been in the city for some time. I hear he has gone to the country to join. The elder Pazhuvertaraiyar went out four days ago. It is heard that he went north of Kollidam to Nadunadu."
"Maybe the one who left has come back? You don't know!"
"Pazhuvur Ilayarani's palanquin arrived this evening. I saw myself at the castle gate; But Pazhuvertaraiyar did not come. Maybe we'll stop somewhere along the way and come back tomorrow."
"Brother! Isn't Prince Mathuranthaka Thevar also staying inside the fort?"
"Yes; Mathuranthakar's palace is near Pazhuvertaraiyar's palace. Isn't he the son-in-law who married the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar's daughter?"
"Oho! Is that the case? I don't know yet?"
'Not many people know that the wedding was not held because of the emperor's ill health.'
"Good; Isn't Mathuranthaka Thevar inside the fort now?"
"It must be inside the castle; But Mathuranthaka Thevar does not come out normally. People can't even see him. It is heard that he spends most of his time in yoga, meditation and puja engaged in Shiva bhakti."
"But he's getting married after so long?"
"Yes; It was a little surprising. It is also said that the bridegroom's mind has changed after the wedding; What do we have to do with it? It is better not to talk in a big place..."
Vandhiyathevan was curious to know more from Senthan Amuthan. But he did not want to arouse suspicion by asking too much. The friendship of such a gentleman would be of great help to him. He was lucky to find such a house in Thanjai. Why spoil all that? Moreover, the fatigue of the long journey was added to the awakening of the night before. He rolled his eyes and fell asleep. Senthan Amuthan came to know of his condition and soon made the bed.
In his sleepy stupor, the face of Pazhuvur Ilayarani finally came to Vandhiyathevan's mind. Oh my gosh! How beautiful! What a sparkle! When he suddenly saw the magical form, he was completely paralyzed and stunned, reminding him of another experience.
Once, when he was a child, he was walking through a forest when he was suddenly confronted by a snake that had danced and danced. Its beauty is beauty! Sexy is sexy! Vandhiyathevan could not take his eyes off the picture of the snake; I couldn't even blink. He saw, he saw, and stood; The snake was dancing too! When the snake danced, his body shook accordingly – I don't know what the outcome would have been. Suddenly a mongoose came and pounced on the snake. The two began to fight. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Vandhiyathevan ran away....
Cheechee! What an example! Is this Bhuvana Mohini Sundarangi to be compared to the snake that took the picture? Even a glance at her milky face would satisfy your hunger?... We shall see her again tomorrow! What sweetness was in her voice! She is a rare beauty. But the other woman I saw in the house of the Kudanthai astrologer and on the banks of the Arisilaru?... Her face lit up too! Beauty is gone... Though the two faces are beautiful, what a difference there is between them! There is majesty and generosity in it; It's fascinating and glamorous.. While his mind was thus comparing the faces of the two women, another woman interrupted him. Nithiradevi, the dictatorial and tyrannical queen, completely possessed Vandhiyathevan.