Kundavai took the letter held out by Vandhiyathevan and read it. Her face, which until then had been wrinkled with knitted eyebrows, now beamed and shone brightly.
Looking up at Vallavaraiyan he said, "You have given the letter. What do you intend to do now?" asked Kundavai Devi.
"I handed over the letter to you and my work was over. Now I have to go back to town."
"Your work is not done; It's just begun!"
"I don't understand what you are saying, My Lady!"
"Isn't it written that the prince can entrust you with any confidential work? Aren't you going to act accordingly?"
"I confessed so to the prince. But don't trust me with any important work. I beg of you very much."
"I don't understand your request. Is it the tradition of the Varnar tribe to retreat after agreeing to something?"
"It is not the tradition of the Varnar tribe to boast of the past; It is not the tradition of the Varnar tribe to agree and retreat."
"Then, why the hesitation? Hatred of women? Or do you not like me?" said the princess, smiling.
Aha! What is this question? Will the sea not like the moon? If it doesn't like it, why does it stretch out its thousand waves and try to leap to the full moon? Who will say that the blue sky does not like Mother Earth? If you don't like it, why are you staring at the earth with a thousand starry eyes all night? Does a cloud not like lightning? If it doesn't like it, why does it embrace the lightning that is tearing it apart and hugging it to its bosom? Is it possible that a beetle does not like flowers? If so, why does it constantly circle around the flower and fall into a trance? Who would believe it if the moth didn't like the lamp? If so, why does it die in the light of that lamp? Goddess! You asked a good question! If I don't like you, why does your sideways glance surprise me? Why does the smile at the corner of your lips make me so paranoid.... All these thoughts came to Vandhiyathevan's mind. But he couldn't say it with his tongue.
"Sir! You didn't answer my question? Is the brave man born in the Varnar tribe hesitating whether to do the bidding of a woman? When the prince handed you this letter, didn't he tell you about what was written in it?" the princess asked again.
"Devi! I left knowing the prince's wishes. But fortunately, I did not begin my pilgrimage. So I made enemies all along the way. I have made a friend an enemy. Enemies are looking for me on all sides, how can I promise to carry out your task? This is why I hesitate. Shouldn't I spoil your work?" said Vallavarayan.
"Who are those enemies? Can you inform me?" asked Kundavai in a worried voice.
"The Pazhuvertaraiyars have sent men from all sides to hunt me down. My best friend Kanthamaran thinks that I tried to kill him by stabbing him in the back. A brave Vaishnava disguised person named Azhvarkadiyan is following me. Pazhavoor Ilaiyarani Nandhini Devi has unleashed a magician on me. I don't know who I will be caught with at any moment..."
Vandhiyathevan remembered his experience with the magician the night he escaped from the flood. He spent his time in the bamboo groves and banana groves, thinking of the danger of travelling during the day. He walked along the riverbank at night. Tired of walking a long way, he reached a dilapidated old hall in the third watch of the night. Outside, the moon shone like daylight at noon. The moonlight was shining in the hall for some distance as well. Vandhiyathevan went past the bright area to the dark area and lay down. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard the awkward voice of an owl from very nearby. When Latha was talking to Pazhuvur Ilayarani in the hall, he remembered hearing the voice of an owl and woke up with a start. Two tiny dots of light peered at him from the dark inside.
He walked two steps, intending to go outside. There was the sound of footsteps coming in from outside. He clung to a rugged pillar and stood under its cover. The face of the outsider was a little visible in the moonlight.
He came to know that he was the magician who had come to see Pazhuvur Rani. The magician came towards the pillar. Vandhiyathevan thought that he did not know that he was hiding there and that he would go into the hall without noticing him. But the magician, who had been walking like a cat until he came near the pillar, suddenly made a cry in a horrible voice and grabbed Vandhiyathevan's neck with one hand and strangled him. "Take it! Give me that palm leaf ring! If you don't, I will strangle you to death!" he shouted.
It was as if Vandhiyathevan's neck would be broken; His eyes seemed to pop out. He gasped. But he made up his mind. He pressed the old pillar with one hand, lifted one leg and kicked it with all his might. The magician screamed and fell to the ground. At the same time, the old pillar collapsed. Stones fell from the roof above. A bat flapped its wings and went out. Following that, Vandhiyathevan also left. The runner did not look back for a short distance. He stopped when he was sure that no one was following him. Vandhiyathevan's whole body trembled even now when he thought of that night's experience.
In the midst of those horrible memories, he said, "Sir! How long has it been since you left Kanchi?" he heard Kundavai and gave him clarity.
"A week and a day have passed, My Lady!" he said.
"It is strange that you have made so many enemies by now. How did you accomplish such a wonderful thing?"
"That's a long story, Devi!"
"It doesn't matter. Let's say. Only after knowing those details can, I assign you the task I have to assign you."
Saying this, the princess called Eesana Sivapattar to her side and asked, "What kind of a boatman is that?"
"Both ears are good deaf; Even if there is thunder, you will not hear, madam!"
"Very good. Lets get into the boat and go a little way down the stream. I want to hear his whole story!"
Vallavaraiyan was delighted. Is it easy to get the privilege of travelling in the same boat with the Chola tribe Thirumagal? Shouldn't he have done penance for seven births to get it? After getting into the boat, the story should be told as far as possible! Don't end it in a nutshell! What's the hurry? Can a rare privilege be easily let slip away?
Vandhiyathevan is in no hurry. But the moment the boat moved down the stream and he started telling what had happened in Kadampoor Sambuvaraiyar's palace, Kundavai's urgency and excitement increased minute by minute. "What's up there?" "What then?" she asked. Vandhiyathevan enriched the story as far as possible according to his decision. No matter how long the story is, there must be an end. When the story was over, the boat came back to the stream pier.
When they got out of the boat and entered the park, the sound of musical instruments and cymbals indicated that there was still a chord going on in the palace. The following Silappathikaara lyrics were also heard:-
"The whole world is big
In the shade of the banyan tree, he stands, With eyes that gleam like stars in distant lands. Hands adorned with symbols divine, Crafting marvels, in lines, they shine.
O eyes that fail to witness his grace, What treasure lies within your sightless space? Unveil the glory, let your vision soar, Behold the wonder that awaits before.
In the depths of the heart, whispers weave, Tales of the past, where truths believe. Amidst the gathering, where echoes dance, Oh, what tales lie beyond your glance?
Oh Narayana, in your name we sing, In your essence, our souls take wing. Guide our eyes to see the unseen, In every moment, let your presence gleam."
Hearing this, Vallavaraiyan said, "Kanjanar may be very deceitful! But he helped me a lot yesterday!"
"What's that? What help could Kansa have done for you?" asked the junior stateswoman.
"It was Kansa who helped me enter this city!" said Vandhiyathevan. Then he told me the history of the help.
Vandhiyathevan had guessed that Pazhuvertaraiyar's men would have arrived before he reached Pazhaiyarai. They will be waiting at every entrance to the city. If there is any doubt, they will be caught. How to enter Pazhaiyarai town without getting caught by them? — With this concern, while Vandhiyathevan was standing on the banks of the Arisilaru, a little distance from the main entrance of the city, a drama troupe arrived. Kannan, Baladevan, Kansa and other hypocrites came. Only Kansa wore a wooden face. Vandhiyathevan had an idea. He talked to the theatre troupe. He said that the dancing skills of the man disguised as Kansa were not enough. The Kamsa hypocrite came to fight with him. Will Vallavaraiyan give up the fight easily? "I'll play better than you. Do you see?" he said, pulling off his mask and dancing. Those who saw him admired his excitement. They said it was the way he danced. The Kamsa hypocrite got angry and went away. "Let him go; I myself will come into the city and dance with you," agreed Vandhiyathevan. The troupe gladly took him with them.
After all the dancing in the streets of Pazhaiyarai was over, Vandhiyathevan went to the Vadamattruli temple as instructed by Athitha Karikalar and met Eesana Pattar. He made him sit on the Jain knee around the temple, informed Princess Kundavai in front of the princess and brought him through the stream.
Hearing these details, the princess looked at Vandhiyathevan with eyes full of surprise and said, "The mercy of Kotravai, the god of victory, is perfect for this Chola tribe. That is why Devi has sent you to help me in this difficult situation!"
"Queen! You haven't given me any work yet? The time has not yet come to show my full potential!" said Vallavarayan.
"Don't worry about it. I am going to give you a job that is so dangerous that you can say that all the dangers that have befallen you so far are nothing!"
Vandhiyathevan stood with joy in his heart. He wished to cross the seven seas for the purpose of the female queen, to fight unarmed with a thousand lions, and to climb to the top of Mount Meru and pluck the stars with his hand.
In the middle of the palace garden was a spring hall made of marble. Kundavai walked towards it. Pattar and Vandhiyathevan followed the princess.
Kundavai took out a small piece of palm leaf and a pencil with a gold handle from a bell tower in the hall. She wrote the following in a scrap:
"Ponniyin Selva! As soon as you see this letter, leave immediately. The details will be told by the one who brings it. He can be trusted completely."
Thus written, she drew a small picture at the bottom, like a fig leaf. Holding out the letter to Vandhiyathevan, he said, "You should take this letter without any delay and go to Eezha Nadu. Give it to Prince Arulmozhivarmar and bring him with you!"
Vandhiyathevan was torn by the waves of joy. One of his longcherished wishes had been fulfilled. I have met the junior stateswoman, the lamp of the Chola clan. It is through him that the second wish is also going to be fulfilled. I am going to have the good fortune to meet Prince Arulmozhivarmar.
"Devi! You give me a job that suits my heart. I will take the letter and leave right now!" he said and stretched out his right hand to receive the letter.
When Kundavai handed over the letter to him, her fingers like a Kandhal flower touched Vandhiyathevan's lucky hand. His soul was thrilled; My chest felt like it would burst. Ten thousand silk moths flew before him, flapping their wings. Ten thousand cuckoos sang together. Mountains and mountains of colorful flowers fell on him and scattered on all sides.
At this stage Vandhiyathevan raised his head and looked at Kundavai Devi. He wanted to say something. But what is the power of mere inanimate words to say it?
His eyes said everything that needed to be said. If Kalidasan did not compose love poems similar to those of Vandhiyathevan's eyes at that time, nor did the ancient Tamil poets who composed 'Muthollayiram,' what else is there to say?
Somewhere outside the spring hall, some distance away, dried leaves rustled and rustled. Eesana Sivapattar lowered his voice.
Vandhiyathevan has come into this world!