A sculptor, descended from the great lineage of master artisans of Mamallapuram, now came forward. According to his own creative imagination, he had crafted a small model temple in a new style for constructing black granite sanctums. He now presented this model to the Queen.

The Queen was greatly astonished upon seeing it. Turning to the man standing near Azhwarkadiyan, she said, “Pattar! Have you seen how remarkable this temple design is? My heart overflows with desire to have temples built in this new style at all the important Shiva shrines in Tamil Nadu!”

“Mother! What obstacle stands in the way of your wish being fulfilled? At all the Shiva shrines graced by the hymns of the Tevaram, such sanctums can be constructed. At a mere glance, people will recognize from this temple design that it is a ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’—a shrine celebrated in song!” said Isana Sivapattar.

“Yes, yes! We must collect all the hymns sung by Appar Peruman, Jnanasambandar, and Sundaramurthi. In every shrine sanctified by their feet and made divine by their songs, such sanctums with towering vimana gopurams should be constructed. These are my two heart’s desires. Yet, I often doubt whether they will ever be fulfilled. If only my lord had not gone west and joined the divine feet of the Lord before his time—if only he had lived a little longer—all my dreams would have been realized…”

“What is lacking now, Mother? Has not the Emperor himself issued an order that whatever you wish should be fulfilled as you desire? Both his sons, even before you voice your thoughts, have already guessed your wishes and are eager to see them accomplished. In such a situation…”

“Even so, my heart does not feel the same enthusiasm now. I hear all sorts of things. Some complain that the royal treasury is being emptied by the temple renovations I undertake. They ask, ‘Why so many temples for Shiva?’ I do not care about what others say. Even the prince in Kanchi…”

When the Periya Piratti spoke thus, Azhwarkadiyan stepped forward and said, “Mother! I am one among those who would ask such questions!”

The Maharani looked at him with some surprise. The others stared intently at Azhwarkadiyan, their faces expressing, “What madness is this?”

Azhwarkadiyan continued, his voice trembling with anger, “Mother! My heart boils within me! Is such injustice possible? Can you, who shine as the very incarnation of Dharma Devi, allow such unrighteousness?”

Standing beside Thirumalaiyappan, Isana Sivapattar said, “Maharani! My brother is always prone to such babbling. Suddenly, he is seized by a fit of madness. I beg you to kindly forgive him!”

In those days, Saivites and Vaishnavites had not split into separate castes. In the same family, there would be both ardent devotees of Shiva and fierce Vaishnavites. The same priest would serve in both Shiva and Vishnu temples. Isana Sivapattar was one of such broad-minded men. Thirumalaiyappan was his own younger brother. The two shared deep affection for each other. Therefore, Isana Sivapattar sought forgiveness from the Maharani for his brother’s impassioned words.

The Devi smiled and said, “Thirumalai! Speak a little more calmly! What injustice has occurred now?”

“Mother! How many temples, how many grand towers, how many halls are there for Shiva, who, as Bhikshatana, wanders with a skull in his hand, begging for alms? But for Vishnu, the Lord who protects and preserves the world, is there not even a single temple? Can we not at least renovate an old shrine for him?” Thirumalaiyappan cried out.

“Mother! For the Lord who dances the blissful cosmic dance to redeem the world, there must be halls and stages, golden courts, grand temples, and palatial mansions surrounded by walls. But for Thirumal, who sleeps without end, is not a small place enough? All he needs is a dark room without a lamp! Why does he need grand temples and halls?” said Isana Sivapattar.

“Brother! The Lord who sleeps without end is the very same who measured the worlds! The Lord who pushed Mahabali down to the netherworld!” said Azhwarkadiyan.

“That very Lord, who measured the worlds, dug and dug all the way to the netherworld to behold the lotus feet of our Lord Shiva, but could not find them!” retorted Isana Sivapattar.

“If your Sivan is so great,” said Azhwarkkadiyan, “then why does he need a temple at all? If he were to enter the temple, wouldn’t his head strike the roof and bring the whole place crashing down?”

Mazhavaryar’s daughter laughed at this and said, “Enough of your quarrel for now. Thirumalai, what do you say? Who said that we should not build temples for Perumal? Which town’s Vishnu temple do you wish to renovate? Shouldn’t you explain it properly?”

“Ammani! Your father-in-law is the renowned Paranthaka Chakaravarthi, whose fame fills the three worlds. I had gone to Veeranarayanapuram, the town that bears his name. There, Veeranarayana Perumal stands watchful day and night, never sleeping, never closing his eyes, guarding the vast Veeranarayana lake like a mighty ocean. But the brick walls of that great lord’s temple are crumbling and falling. If the temple collapses, the banks of the lake will break, and hundreds of villages will be laid waste. We must restore Veeranarayana Perumal’s temple and make it strong again!”

“So be it, we shall do it! Tell me the details. Let everyone else leave for now,” said the matriarch of the Chola clan.

Sensing her meaning, everyone, including Isana Sivapattar, withdrew from the room.

Immediately, Sembiyan Madevi lowered her voice and said, “Thirumalai, where all did you travel on your pilgrimage? What did you see? What did you hear? Tell me everything in detail. You have brought some important news, haven’t you? That’s why you interrupted the conversation, isn’t it?”

“Yes, mother! I have indeed brought important news. But I will wait for your command before I speak. Just now, you began to say something about the prince in Kanchi. That is why I interrupted. Of those who