That day, the city of Thanjavur was in a state of jubilant commotion. Was it any wonder that the people of the capital were so elated to hear that the princess, who had not visited the city for many years, had changed her mind and was coming to Thanjavur? There was not a soul in Chola Nadu who did not know of Princess Kundavai’s beauty, wisdom, and compassion. Nor was there anyone who did not, at least once a day, mention her name in connection with some rumor or another. The gossip that the princess would be present at the palace in Thanjavur for this year’s Navaratri festival had already spread, heightening the people’s anticipation. Therefore, as soon as it was known that she was arriving today, a veritable ocean of people gathered at the gates of Thanjavur fort, waiting in eager expectation. Like the waves of the sea rejoicing at the sight of the full moon rising, this human sea surged with excitement and clamorous joy.

At last, the full moon did rise. No—two moons rose at the same time. When Princess Kundavai arrived at the gates of Thanjavur fort with her retinue, the great doors swung open with a resounding clang. The palace attendants came out to welcome and escort her inside. At the head of these attendants stood the two Pazhuvettaraiyars. Not only that; behind them came a palanquin adorned with ivory and set with pearls. As its silk curtains parted, the radiant, moon-like face of the young queen of Pazhuvoor, Nandini Devi, was revealed.

Kundavai alighted from her elephant, and Nandini descended from her palanquin. Nandini hurried forward and greeted Kundavai with a smile and words of welcome. Kundavai acknowledged the greeting with a gentle smile of her own.

The enthusiasm of the crowd, who beheld together those two peerless beauties of Chola Nadu, overflowed its bounds. Nandini’s complexion was golden; Kundavai’s was the hue of the red lotus. Nandini’s golden face was round and full, like the full moon; Kundavai’s visage, sculpted as if by the hands of a master, was delicately elongated. Nandini’s dark eyes, rimmed with crimson, were wide and restless, like bees with outspread wings; Kundavai’s deep blue eyes were long and radiant, like the petals of the blue lotus. Nandini’s nose was flat and gleaming, as if carved from ivory; Kundavai’s nose was slightly long, like the bud of a paneer flower. Nandini’s lips, a little thick, glowed like coral cups brimming with nectar; Kundavai’s slender lips were like... The pomegranate bud shone, bursting forth in brilliance. Nandini had adorned her hair, coiled into a chignon and decorated like a garland of blossoming flowers. Kundavai’s tresses, on the other hand, were arranged like a jeweled crown, as if to declare, “She is the queen of beauty.”

It cannot be said that everyone there delighted in separately comparing and contrasting the beauty and adornment of those two peerless women. Yet, it was evident to all that both were unparalleled in their loveliness,