The next morning, as the Sun God rose and bathed the world in light, his crimson rays fell upon the golden domes of the palaces of Pazhaiyarai, making them gleam and shimmer. In front of Princess Kundavai’s palace, a grand elephant, adorned and caparisoned, stood waiting with an ambari mounted upon its back. Kundavai and Vanathi emerged from within the palace, ascended the steps of the portico, and mounted the elephant. The mighty beast set off, its tread shaking the earth, making its way toward the Paranthaka Chola Hospital, which stood amidst the soldiers’ quarters.

The mahout walked beside the elephant, restraining its pace and guiding it gently. Hearing the sound of the elephant’s bells, the townspeople hurried out from their homes to see what was happening. When they saw the two royal women, their faces blossomed with joy; they stood with folded hands and bowed in respect.

Passing through various streets, the elephant entered the part of the city where the soldiers’ quarters were located. The appearance of these streets was quite unique. Plump red roosters wandered about, searching for rivals to fight. Rams with twisted, curling horns stood here and there, looking around as if challenging anyone to battle. Fierce hunting dogs, whether with leather leashes or bejeweled ropes, were tied to the pillars at the thresholds of houses. Little children, holding bamboo sticks in their hands, played mock duels with one another, the sticks clashing with sharp ‘clack-clack’ and ‘thud-thud’ sounds.

On the walls of the verandas, various scenes were painted with saffron-colored chalk. Most depicted the divine exploits of Lord Muruga and the historical deeds of the Chola kings. Scenes of war were especially prominent. There were vivid images of Lord Muruga striking down the heads of the demon Surapadman as they sprouted anew, and of Goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura—both rendered with terrifying intensity. The walls also portrayed, in lifelike detail, the wondrous feats of valor performed by Chola warriors in battlefields such as Thellaru, Thanjai, Kudamooku, Arisilaru, Thiruppurambayam, Vellur, Thakkolam, and Sevur.

As the elephant bearing the princesses entered these soldiers’ quarters, the entire street was thrown into a flurry of excitement. The roosters flapped their wings noisily and flew up to perch on rooftops, crowing loudly. The children shouted to one another, calling out in excitement… They ran. Knocking on the doors of their houses, they informed those inside of the news.

As the elephant made its way through the streets lined with soldiers’ homes, women, children, and elders stood at every threshold, joyfully hailing, “Long live the young princess Kundavai Devi!” “Long live the cherished daughter of Sundara Chozhar!” Some among them even began to follow the elephant. The crowd grew larger and larger. Through a chorus of varied blessings, they expressed their happiness as they went along.

It has already been mentioned that in those soldier’s quarters lived the wives, children, and parents of warriors who had gone to wage war in Lanka. For their welfare, Kundavai had established a hospital using the income from her own land grants. The Chola clan was renowned for their tradition of honoring their ancestors. Among Kundavai’s forebears, her grandfather’s father, the first Paranthaka Chakravarthi, was especially famous. To keep his name alive, Kundavai Devi had founded and managed this ‘Paranthakar Hospital.’ It was her custom to visit the hospital often, using that opportunity to inquire about the well-being of the families of the warriors.

As they neared the hospital, the elephant came to a halt. First folding its front legs, then its hind legs, it knelt down and settled on the ground. The two princesses descended from the elephant to the earth.

Once the elephant moved aside, the crowd—mainly women and children—pressed in, surrounding the princesses.

“The hospital has been useful to all of you, hasn’t it? The physicians come every day and give medicine to those in need, do they not?” the princess asked.

“Yes, Mother! Yes!” came the reply from many voices.

“For three months, I suffered from a cough. After taking medicine from the physician for a week, I was cured!” said one woman.

“Amma! My son climbed a tree and fell, breaking his leg. The physician set the bone and gave him medicine for fifteen days. He is well now. He runs and plays, and has even started climbing trees again!” said another woman.

“My mother’s eyesight had been failing for some time. For a month, she came to this infirmary to receive treatment. Now, her vision is clear once again!” said a young woman.

“Did you hear that, Vanathi? What remarkable people our ancestors of Tamilagam must have been! How did they discover which herb could cure which disease? It is a wonder!” exclaimed Princess Kundavai.

“They must have possessed the eye of wisdom to discover such miraculous medicines. How else could it be possible?” replied Vanathi.

“It is true—they discovered so many wondrous remedies. Yet, for those who suffer from maladies of the mind, like you, no medicine has been found! What can be done?” said Kundavai, her voice tinged with gentle teasing.

“Akka! I have no such affliction of the mind. Please, do not say such things with such compassion again and again! My friends never cease to tease me and torment my very soul!” protested Vanathi.

“You deserve it! My brother, who lived his life without a care in the world, now finds his heart troubled because of you. Every time someone comes from Lanka, he sends word asking after your health!” said the young princess with a mischievous smile.

At that moment, a cry arose: “Make way for the physician! Make way for the physician!” The guards parted the crowd that had gathered there. The aged chief physician of the infirmary approached and respectfully greeted the princesses.

“Physician! Did you not say that there are rare herbs in the forests near Kodikkarai? I sent a young warrior there to fetch them. Has he returned?” Kundavai inquired.

“Yes, my lady! That energetic young man