Chapter 13 - The Dark Side
While Vandhiyathevan was descending at the tip of Nagatheevu and heading towards Mathottam – while Anirutha Brahmarayar and Azhvarkadiyan were discussing the state of the empire – Kundavai Devi and Kodumbalur princess Vanathi were approaching Thanjai city on an elephant with a howdah.
The junior stateswoman had been saying that she would not go to Thanjai for some time. There were several reasons for this. There are not enough palaces in Tanjore to accommodate the ladies of the palace separately. All women must remain in the emperors main palace. All the other palaces were occupied by the Pazhuvertaraiyars and the officials of the big ranks. In Pazhaiyarai, the ladies of the palace could be independent. You can go out as you like; Maybe. But if you live in Thanjai, you have to be subject to the restrictions of the Pazhuvertaraiyars. It is not possible to enter and go into the fort and the palace at will. The junior stateswoman does not like such restrictions and compulsions. Moreover, Pazhuvur Ilayarani's arrogance and arrogant behaviour disgusted Kundavai very much. The emperor also wanted the palace ladies to be in Pazhaiyarai. For these reasons, Kundavai lived in Pazhaiyarai. She had restrained her desire to see and nurse her dear father, who was ill.
But since Vandhiyathevan's arrival and departure, there had been a change in the junior stateswoman's mind. When terrible intrigues and conspiracies are going on in the kingdom, is it right for us to spend our time in Pazhaiyarai merrily sailing in the rivers and dancing in the parks? The brother is in the throat country; Thampi is in Eezhanadu; In their absence, shouldn't we take care of the affairs of the kingdom? Isn't his brother Athitha Karikalan asking you to announce the happenings in the capital through personal messengers? If you live in Pazhaiyarai, how will you know what is happening in Thanjai?
The news announced by Vandhiyathevan was terrible. Until now, the junior stateswoman did not like the Pazhuvertaraiyars wielding power beyond their status. Now they have begun to conspire about the throne. Sin! They also caught that great sadhu Mathuranthakan in their net. They captured the petty kings of the Chola country and many of the high ranking officials. I don't know what will happen at any given time. Who knows how far their cunning, deceit and evil will go? Even if Sundara Cholar's life is threatened, they will keep it! How can you say they won't? If something happened to the emperor in the absence of his two sons, wouldn't it be easier to place Mathuranthakan on the throne? They will do whatever they do for this! Even if they don't know the idea, that Rakshasi Nandhini will teach them. Even if they hesitate, she will be reassuring. Therefore, it is better that we stay near our father in Thanjavur. We can see how far the intrigue and conspiracy go. We can also make sure that our dear father is not in danger.
Why are they trying to put the sage Mathuranthakan on the throne? For the sake of justice? Not at all. If they crown Mathuranthakan, they can keep him as a puppet and do everything they want. Then what Nandhini put in place will become the law in the Chola empire! Others must live in fear of her authority. The other ladies of the palace should stand with folded hands. Cheechee! Can such a situation be allowed? It won't happen as long as I'm the only one. Let's see her cleverness!
Being in Thanjavur would be difficult for him in many ways. Mother and father would ask, "Why did you come here, leaving to be happy in Pazhaiyarai?" "There will be no independence. Someone will talk about his marriage. He didn't like to hear it. Sometimes Nandhini will be seen. He could not stand her arrogance of authority. But is it okay to see all this at this time? The kingdom is in great danger. There is also a fear that the father's life may be in danger. Isn't Thanjai the place we should be at such a time?'
Apart from all this, there was another, more important reason. It was a desire to know if there was any news about Vandhiyathevan. Knowing that Vandhiyathevan had gone to Kodikarai, the junior stateswoman heard that the Pazhuvertaraiyars had sent men to capture him. 'Will that young man, who is skilled in cunning, fall into their hands? If they get caught, they will bring it to Thanjavur. Isn't it very necessary for us to be there at that time? They cannot do anything so easily to the messenger sent by Athitha Karikalan. You have to be punished on some charge. That is why they accused Sambuvaraiyar of trying to kill his son by stabbing him in the back. There is no doubt that it is a lie. But it has to be proven false. It may be useful to talk to Kanthamaran and find out his oral responsibility...'
While Kundavai's mind was wandering in big intrigues and complicated affairs, her friend Vanathi, who had come with her on the elephant, was thinking about the same thing with milk purity and crystal clarity. That one thing was about when Prince Arulmozhivarmar would return from Ilankai.
"Sister! Didn't you say that you had sent a letter asking him to leave at once? If he comes, where will he come? Pazhaiyarai? To Thanjavur?" asked Vanathi.
Vanathi is worried about what will happen if the prince comes to Pazhaiyarai when they have gone to Thanjavur.
Kundavai, who was deep in other thoughts, turned to Vanathi and asked, "Who are you asking about? What about Ponniyin Selvan?"
"Yes, Sister! That's about him. You have referred to the prince as 'Ponniyin Selvan' four or five times, but you did not give a reason. You have been evading to tell you later. Tell me now. The Thanjavur fort is still far away. This elephant moves like a tortoise!" said Vanathi.
"If the elephant goes any faster, we won't be able to stay on its back. We must fall down with the howdah! Ahhhhh Do you know what happened in the Battle of Takkolam?"
"Sister! ' Tell me how the name 'Ponniyin Selvan' came about!"
"Hit me! Perhaps you will not forget it; I will tell you, listen!" said Kundavai.
When Sundara Chola emperor came to the throne, his family life was blissful. The emperor used to sit in the palace boat with his family and go for a stroll in the Ponni river. At such times there would be a lot of excitement in the boat. Veena Kanam and songs in the bards will compete with the Cauvery flood and multiply. Every now and then someone would do something funny. Immediately there was a burst of laughter and a rustling in the Kaveri stream.
Sometimes adults enjoy talking among themselves. On one side of the boat there would be children making merriment. Sometimes they all get together and have fun and forget themselves.
One day, when the emperor, queens and children were on a picnic in the Kaveri in a royal boat, he suddenly asked, "Where is the child? Where is baby Arulmozhi?" a voice asked. This voice is Kundavai's. Arulmozhi was five years old at that time. Kundavai is seven years old. Arulmozhi is the sweetest child in everyone's eyes in the palace. But his sister Kundavai was the one who longed for him above all. Kundavai was the first to notice that the child was missing in the boat. Then she shouted. Everyone was shocked. They searched the boat here and there. But where is the place to look more on the palace yacht? They searched around but could not find the child. Kundavai and Adithan screamed. The queens wailed, the friends wailed. Some of the boatmen jumped into the Cauvery flood and searched. Sundara Cholar also jumped in the same way. But where to look for that? Who knew how far the river flood would have swept away the child? Who knows when the child fell into the flood? Those who jumped into the Cauvery without any aim and aim jumped in all directions. The child was not caught. By this time, some of the queens and friends in the boat had fainted and fell. There is no one to look after them. The sad voice of the others who were full of emotion cried 'Alas!' rose above the roar of the river Kaveri. The birds that lived in the trees by the river were astonished and fell silent.
Suddenly there was a wonderful sight. It was visible in the middle of the river at a little distance from the boat. A female figure stood holding a child in both arms. The girl's form was hidden in the water up to her waist. Only the girl's golden face, breasts and uplifted arms were visible. The child was hiding most of them. Like everyone else, Sundara Cholar too saw that scene. He immediately jumped and swam in that direction. He stretched out his arms and took the child. By this time the boat had also gone near him. Those in the boat took the child from Sundara Cholar. The emperor was also taken by the hand. When the emperor got into the boat, he fell unconscious. Everyone was involved in taking care of him and the baby. What happened to Madarasi who saved the child? No one noticed. What did she look like? No one paid attention to the sign. She did not come to ask for the gift, "I am the one who saved the child!" So everyone unanimously concluded that the deity who was the river Kaveri must have saved Prince Arulmozhivarmar. It was also arranged to perform puja to Ponni River on that day every year. Arulmozhivarman, who was the palace rich till then, became 'Ponniyin Selvan' from that day. All the royal family members who came to know about this incident often called Arulmozhivarman as 'Ponniyin Selvan