The people of Thanjavur had a special affection for the Pazhuvur brothers. Weren't it the Pazhuvertaraiyars who gave new glory and influence to that old city?
If he rode with elephants, horses and camels, he delighted to entertain the people on any given day. Especially whether the treasurer went out of Thanjai or went out and entered the fort, people would gather on both sides of the road and watch. They will cheer; Congratulations; Flowers and showers will be showered.
Ordinarily, if the elder brother went out, the younger one would stop at the fort gate to receive him.
The sight of brother and brother embracing each other is like embracing the Nilgiris and Pothigai hills.
If they were to ride side by side on two elephants or horses, it would take ten thousand eyes to see the scene.
Some people compare the Pazhuvur brothers to Hiraniyan and Hiranyatchan. Others say 'Sunthopa Sundars'. There are some who say that they are as dear brothers as Rama and Bharata, and as heroic brothers as Veema and Arjuna.
But today, when the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar entered the Thanjai fortress, there was no cheering in the streets, even though the entourage that accompanied him made the usual slogans. There was not much crowd either. The younger Pazhuvertaraiyar did not wait to welcome his brother at the fort entrance.
But the treasurer ignored this and went straight to his brother's palace. The younger must be engaged in something important, he thought. Perhaps the emperor's health has deteriorated, or... Or, there was a suspicion that the 'big thing' had happened. Therefore, his retinue proceeded faster than usual and reached the palace of the fortress commander the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar.
The commander who had come to receive his brother at the palace gate had a look of excitement and worry on his face. He saluted his brother and then embraced him to his bosom. The two of them went into the palace. They went straight into the private council hall.
Both of them said privately, "Brother! Kalanthaka! What kind of a thing are you? Is there anything special? Is the emperor well?" asked his brother.
The younger Pazhuvertaraiyar Kalanthaka Kandar said, "The emperor is as usual. There is no development in his health; There is no deterioration!"
"Then why is your face so sad? Why didn't you come to the castle gate? The town has become less bustling!" asked the old man.
"Brother! A small incident has happened. Nothing fantastic. Ill tell you about that later. How did all the things you go for?" asked Kalanthaka Kandar.
"What I went on was a complete success. All those who had invited had come to Kadampoor. Everyone unanimously agreed that your son-in-law Mathuranthakan would be the next heir. They nodded enthusiastically. If justice is not obeyed, they are willing to take up the sword and fight and assert their rights. If Kolli Mazhavan and Vanangamudi Muniyaraiyan also agree, what is the obstacle to the fulfillment of our purpose? Sambuvaraiyar is ready to deploy his fortress, fortress, army and wealth. His son Kanthamaran is very serious. I don't care about Nadunadu and Thirumunaipadi Nadu. Chola Desam is always in our hands. What other idea? Thirukovalur Malaiamman, Pallavan Parthipenthiran and Kodumbalur Velan are the three who may oppose. Kodumbaluran is not here among them; He is in Sri Lanka. What could the other two do? We should tell the emperor as soon as possible and decide immediately!" said the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar.
"You are right about the leaders; People? What if people object?" asked Kalanthaka Kandar.
"Aha! Who's going to listen to the people? Do the affairs of the kingdom take place by listening to the people? If people dare to object, they should be prevented from entering into such things again. I don't think such a thing will happen. If it is the emperor's wish, they will keep quiet. Also, Arulmozhivarman is fortunately in Ilankai. Even if he is, perhaps people will try to show their blind pride. People did not have much love for Athitha Karikalan. It is easy to turn their admiration for Mathuranthakan. He has already earned a reputation as a 'Shiva devotee' and 'one with noble qualities'. Don't you know that your son-in-law's face has more weeds than Sundara Cholar's two sons? It would be surprising if the foolish people who think that 'the beauty of the inner self is visible in the face' do not chant 'Long live the emperor Mathuranthaka'. Anyway, what do you care when I'm the only one...?"
"But there is the Velakara army! How do we deal with them?"
"The Velakara soldiers took the vow of sacrifice for Sundara Cholar and not for his children, right? And even if they did, where did your garrison go? Shouldn't we catch all of them in an hour and throw them in the dungeon?"
"Brother! The main opposition will come from Pazhaiyarai. I don't know what the old woman and Kumari will play together. That's the main thing to look at..."
"Brother! Kalanthaka! Are you asking me to be afraid of two daughters? I have an alternative to all their tricks. Don't worry!"
"The emperor has ordered that you send an invitation to the two children to come to Thanjai..."
"Athitha Karikalan will not come. Perhaps Arulmozhi will come as per his father's orders. If he comes, he must be stopped! Both of them can come only after Mathuranthakan has been crowned prince and placed on the throne with all powers. Don't come before that. Leave this to me! Otherwise, you said something small happened here, what is it?"
"A young man came from Kanchi. He brought one for the emperor and another for Kundavai..."
"What did you do to him? Didn't you imprison him by snatching away the leaves?"
"No, brother! He said that he had seen you in Kadampoor and asked him to give it to the emperor in person. Is that true?"
"Aha! Just a lie! An uninvited young man had come to Kadampoor claiming to be Kanthamaran's friend. But you didn't tell me that you had brought the letter! I was suspicious when I saw his face. Have you deceived him?"
"Yes, brother! I was deceived. I was fooled by your name!"
"Oh my gosh! What did you do? Have you handed over the letter to the emperor? Don't you even see it?"
"I saw. There's nothing in it. It was written to come to Kanchi Golden Palace. After handing over the letter, the young man was saying something 'dangerous' ..."
"Then, didn't you suspect and imprison him?"
"I doubted; But not imprisoned!"
"Then, what did you do?"
"I want to see the town. I sent the two men behind me to see it. He deceived them and disappeared. I was making arrangements to look for him. That's why I didn't even come to the castle gate! I have warned the people of the city..."
"Oh! Are you a man too? Did you cheat on a little boy who didn't grow a moustache? I named you Kalanthaka Kandan, and you should curse me for my foolishness. Didnt I make you the commander of the fort? I deserve this! Aren't you ashamed to say that a scoundrel has deceived you in my name?"
"It's not just saying your name. He also showed me your seal ring. Did you give it to him?"
"Not at all! Am I as foolish as you are?"
"It is true that he had a seal ring. He showed it to me too. He showed it to the guards at the fort gate and went inside. If you hadn't, there was only one more place he could have gotten it."
"Who do you mean?"
"Can't you guess? I am talking about Ilayarani ..."
"! Beware! I will cut off my tongue!"
"Even if you cut off your tongue, cut it off; Even if you cut off the head, cut it off. Now I will say what I have wanted to say for a long time. You keep a poisonous snake at home thinking it is beautiful. It's going to bite one day. It's going to ruin us all! Do not! Chase her away and do the next thing!"
"Kaalantakakanda! Today I will tell you something I have long wanted to tell you. You are free to express your opinion on any other matter. If you don't like what I do, you can boldly rebuke me. But if I ever say a word less about the woman I have married by the hand; I will kill you with the same hand that brought you up. I taught you how to wield a knife and I will snatch your knife and cut you to death! Beware!"
The angry war between the two brothers was like a lion and a lion fighting. Their voices resounded like the roar of a lion. Though they were speaking in the private council hall, their voices sounded like thunder to those who were waiting outside, unaware of the details. Everyone was shaking 'what the hell is going on?'