On one of the small islands near the great island of Rameswaram, in an ancient mandapam, Aniruddha Brahmarayar was seated in council. The tools and implements necessary for his ministerial duties surrounded him. Accountants, scribes skilled in writing on palm leaves, and inner circle guards were all stationed at their respective places, ready and attentive.

After Aniruddha had disembarked from the boat and settled himself in the mandapam for a short while, he issued an order to summon those who had come to meet him. Five men entered first. At a glance, they appeared to be wealthy merchants, prosperous and dignified. On a platter, they offered a necklace of nine precious gems as a gift. Aniruddha Brahmarayar accepted it and handed it to the accountant, saying, “Record this as a donation for the temple renovations of Sembiyan Mahadevi.”

Then, turning to the newcomers, he asked, “Who are you?”

(This merchant guild with its long, illustrious name conducted trade with overseas lands under the Chola Empire.)

“We have come as representatives of the Nanadesa Tisai Ayirathu Aindhu Nooruvar,” one of them replied.

“Excellent. Your trade in the Pandya country is flourishing, I trust?”

“It prospers more with each passing day!”

“What do the people of Pandya Nadu say?”

“They say the rule of the Chola dynasty is far superior to that of the Pandya lineage. Above all, they praise the valor and generosity of Prince Arulmozhi Varman. News of all that transpires in Lanka has spread among the people here…”

“How is your maritime trade with the southern countries faring now?”

“Under the reign of Emperor Sundara Chola, there is not the slightest hindrance. All the ships we sent last year have returned safely; not a single one was lost.”

“There has been no trouble from sea pirates?”

“Not in the past year. Ever since the Chola navy destroyed the pirates near the island of Manakkavaram, there has been no fear of plunder in the southern seas.” “Very well; what arrangements have you made regarding the palm-leaf letter we sent?”

“We have done as ordered. We have brought to this Rameswaram island a thousand sacks of rice, five or six sacks of millet, and a hundred sacks of pigeon peas to be sent to the Lankan army. Arrangements must be made to send them across to Lanka.”

“Can you load them onto your own ships and send them?”

“If you command, we will do it. We wish to know when the war in Lanka will end.”

“Ah! Who can say that? Doesn’t your merchant guild have an astrologer? Ask him and let me know as well!”

“Brahma Rajar! Even we cannot believe everything our astrologer says.”

“Oh? What does he say?”

“He says that wherever Prince Arulmozhi Varman goes, only victory follows. He says that under his rule, the Chola navy will cross the seas to distant lands and conquer them. He says the tiger flag will fly in many far-off countries.”

“In that case, your fortunes are cause for celebration!”