Kundavai had firmly decided that Vanathi was the most suitable bride for her incomparable younger brother, Arulmozhi Varman. Yet, there was but one flaw in Vanathi—her timid nature. Was it right for a girl destined to marry a hero among heroes, to bear a son who would one day rule the world beneath a single royal umbrella, to be so fearful? Kundavai longed to transform Vanathi’s timid disposition and make her a courageous, valiant maiden. It was for this very purpose that she had devised the game of the puppet crocodile. But in that trial, the princess of Kodumbalur had emerged victorious.

After returning from the house of the Kudanthai astrologer, Kundavai Devi and Vanathi boarded the graceful swan-shaped boat. The boat glided a short distance; as was their custom, they halted it at a secluded spot along the riverbank, shaded thickly by trees on both sides. There, Kundavai and her companions would alight to play in the water. On this day too, they reached that place and stepped out.

No sooner had everyone disembarked than one of the girls cried out, “Oh no! A crocodile!” Pointing to the other side of the large tree beneath which they had just landed, she shrieked, “Crocodile! Crocodile!” Instantly, all the women joined in, wailing, “Oh! A crocodile! How frightening!” and ran away in a flurry.

But Vanathi, usually so timid, did not show the slightest sign of fear at that moment. Even when she suddenly saw the gaping jaws of the fearsome crocodile up close, she did not lose her composure. While all the others, following Kundavai Devi’s instructions, pretended to be terrified, Vanathi alone remained unafraid.

“Sister! A crocodile is powerful only in the water! When it is on land, it cannot do anything. Tell them not to be afraid!” said the princess of Kodumbalur.

“Oh, you clever trickster! It seems you knew beforehand that this was not a real crocodile, but a puppet! Someone must have told you!” teased the other girls.

“Even if it were a real crocodile, I wouldn’t be afraid. It’s only lizards and cockroaches that frighten me!” replied Vanathi.

At that very moment, Vandiyathevan arrived to save those women from the jaws of the fearsome crocodile. Leaping from his horse in a single bound, he rushed forward and hurled his spear.

Standing before the crocodile, the majestic maiden’s words reached Vallavarayan’s ears, sending a shiver through his body. The regret that had plagued him at Kudanthai astrologer’s house—that she had not spoken to him—now vanished. Yet, the crocodile—the terrifying beast with its gaping mouth lying behind her—continued to trouble his mind. Why was she standing in front of the crocodile? What did she mean by saying, “Do not trouble yourself about it”? Why had the crocodile remained in the same spot all this time? What was the meaning behind all this?

The young woman spoke again: “Sir! In Kudanthai, you expressed regret for having hurried into the astrologer’s house. We left without giving you a reply.