Chapter 14 - The Two Full Moons

On that day Tanjore city was in turmoil. If the princess who had not come to the capital for a long time changed her mind and came to Thanjai, why should she listen to the uproar of the people of that town? There is no one in Cholanadu who is not aware of the beauty, wisdom and generosity of Princess Kundavai. There was not a single person who did not mention his name at least once a day. The rumour that the princess would have come to the Thanjai palace for the Navarathiri festival this year had already spread and aroused the curiosity of the people. So, when he came to know that he was coming today, there was a sea of people waiting at the entrance of the Thanjai fort. This ocean of people was shouting eagerly like the ocean of people in anticipation of the rising of the full moon.

Finally, the full moon rose. Why? Two moons rose at the same time. When Kundavai Devi reached the entrance of the Thanjai fort with her entourage, the gates of the fort swung open. The palace entourage came out to welcome Devi from inside. The two Pazhuvertaraiyars were in front of those entourage. Not only that; Behind them came an ivory palanquin studded with pearls. When the silk curtains were removed, the Sundara Mathivadana of Pazhuvur Ilaiyarani Rani Nandhini Devi was seen inside.

Kundavai got down from the elephant and Nandhini got down from the palanquin. Nandhini rushed forward and greeted Kundavai. Kundavai accepted the welcome with a smile.

The enthusiasm of the people who saw those two beauties of Chola Nadu together was overwhelming. Nandhini is golden; Kundavai was red lotus in colour. Nandhini's golden face was round like the full moon; Kundavai's face was a little elongated like a statue made by skilled sculptors. Nandhini's red black eyes were wide like honey bees with spread wings; Kundavai's dark blue eyes were as long as her ears like the petals of Neelodbalam. Nandhini's nose was flat and smooth as if made of ivory. Kundavai's nose was a little longer like the bud of a rose flower. Nandhini's slightly thick lips looked like nectar of coral copper. Kundavai's delicate lips were like honey and pomegranates. Nandhini had tied her hair in a bun and decorated it like a bouquet of flowers. Kundavai's hair resembled a crown of jewels symbolizing that she is the queen of beauty.

It cannot be said that everyone enjoyed comparing the beauty and decoration of the two Vanitha Mani separately. In general, however, it was easy for everyone to perceive that the two were incomparably beautiful, and that they were different in their form and adornment. Till then the people of the city had been somewhat dissatisfied and jealous of Nandhini. Everyone praised Kundavai as their family deity. But now the Pazhuvur Ilaiyarani came to the fort gate and welcomed the junior stateswoman, causing great joy to the people.

While the people were thus engrossed in happiness, the conversation between Nandhini and Kundavai was like a bolt of lightning.

"Devi! Welcome! Welcome! We thought you had completely forgotten us. Today we know that the junior stateswoman's mercy is boundless," said Nandhini.

"How is it, Queen! Does being far away mean you have forgotten? Since you did not come to Pazhaiyarai, can we assume that you have forgotten me?" said Kundavai.

"The bees themselves come to the nectar flower; No call required. Anyone will come to the beautiful Pazhaiyarai. Isn't it the glory of your kindness that you have come to this ugly Thanjai fortress?"

"What did you say? Can we call Tanjore Puri an ugly city? When you are imprisoning Beauty here?," said the junior stateswoman.

"That's what I heard, too, that the emperor is imprisoned here. No worries anymore; You have come to take him away, haven't you?" said Nandhini and a flash of electricity appeared in her eyes and disappeared.

"It's beautiful! Even Indrathi Devas cannot imprison Sundara Chola Chakravarthy. How can little people? I didn't say that. I told you about Nandhini Devi, the goddess of beauty..."

"Say it well, Devi! Say this to his ears. The Pazhuvur king has kept me as if I am in prison. Please recommend me a little..."

"What is my recommendation? Isn't it an ordinary prison to have them? Isn't it the prison of love? And that..."

"Yes, Devi! Especially if the old man's love is a prison, there is no salvation! You say it's an underground prison? At least those who are locked up in it may come out! But..."

"Yes! Queen! Especially if it is an animal we have put on ourselves, if it is a prison we have searched for, it is difficult to get free... Those who descended from Sita, Kannagi, Nalayini and Savitri will not seek liberation... There, why is there so much commotion?" said Kundavai.

Indeed, from the crowd of women not far from the fortress gate came a great uproar. Kundavai and Nandhini went near that place. At first I couldn't understand what was because so many women were screaming at the same time. Then I understood a little. It was evident that they wanted to see the junior stateswoman frequently in the palace and therefore demanded that the restrictions on entering the fort for nine days of Navratri be lifted.

"Queen! Tell your husband or brother-in-law and ask them to fulfill their request. Why is he afraid of these women? What danger will they pose to the Chola empire? Isn't the Pazhuvur brothers' command extending in all four directions to the seashore?" said Kundavai.

"What's that, you stopped at the beach? Their command and authority go beyond the seas. You will get a sign of this soon!" said Nandhini and her smile broke Kundavai's heart. 'What could be the significance of this wretched word?' she thought.

Meanwhile Nandhini called the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar to her side and informed him of the women's request and the junior stateswoman's wish.

"What is the opposite word to the junior stateswoman's words?" asked Pazhuvertaraiyar.

Then they entered the fortress amidst the uproar of the multitude.

From that day onwards the city of Thanjai and its surroundings were filled with unbounded excitement. When Kundavai Devi came to Thanjavur, the Navarathiri festival coincided. Pazhuvertaraiyar also fulfilled his promise. During those ten days he allowed the people to enter and leave the fort without any hindrance. The gates of the fortress were always wide open. There were many festivities in the palaces inside the fort and outside in the villages. Large crowds had gathered to see them. Every now and then two full moons rose together in the midst of the crowds. Seeing that sight, the sea of people rejoiced and cheered. But while there was such festive excitement outside, volcanoes were spewing fiery lava in the hearts of the two full moons. Pazhuvur Ilayarani and Pazhaiyarai junior stateswoman were fighting incessantly. The two beauties were waging a fierce battle with lances and lances that formed their eyes. In that struggle, sparks flew as sharp swords on both sides rubbed against each other. The spears, which had been polished and grinned, struck each other and blew up flames. Two lightning bolts slashed each other in the dark space, and they throbbed together. Two tigresses of ferocious beauty embraced each other and scratched each other with their claws and made them bleed. Two cobras of terrific beauty danced and stretched out their sharp, thin red tongues to devour each other.

They were enthused by this wondrous struggle; They were heartbroken and heartbroken.

There was only one soul that did not share in the enthusiasm of the townspeople and did not understand the struggle of these two Chandramatis. Kodumbalur Princess Vanathi does not get time to talk to the junior stateswoman these days. She went with her sister, but she was not interested in what was going on outside. She created a world of solitude within herself and lived in it.