Vandiyathevan’s mind was in turmoil, wondering how that valiant Vaishnavite had arrived there and for what purpose. Yet, he did not let any of this show outwardly.

“What a marvel to speak of! Just a moment ago, I was thinking about you. I look up, and there you are, leaping over the wall. They say, ‘When the giving god bestows, he even pierces the roof to deliver it’—how true that is!” he said.

“Dear boy! You were thinking about me just now? Why should you think about this mere mortal? Even if you had thought of Lord Rama himself, it would have been worthwhile…”

“Your lips deserve only sugar, Swami. First, I did think of Lord Rama. As I came this way, I saw the towering spires of Rameswaram on the far side of the sea. I thought of how Rama worshipped Shiva there to absolve the sin of slaying Ravana…”

“Stop, my boy! Stop!”

“I cannot stop, Swami! Truly, I cannot stop. My legs are weary from walking and standing without rest. Have mercy and sit down with me. After that, shall I tell you whether I thought of Rama? The moment I thought of him, the image of his great devotee Hanuman came to mind. And as soon as I thought of Hanuman, I remembered you. And lo! There you were, appearing before me. Did you leap over the wall alone, or did you, like Hanuman, leap across the very sea to come here?”

“Brother, where is Hanuman, the crown jewel of devotees, and where am I? Hanuman came to Lanka and laid waste to Akshaya Kumara and other demons. I, on the other hand, cannot even chase away a mere cat. Look here! See how a cat has scratched my legs and left them bleeding!” said Azhwarkkadiyan, pointing to the wounds on his legs.

“Alas! Did it come to this? But what was the reason for your battle with a mere cat…?”

“I did not go looking for a fight. It was the cat that picked a quarrel with me…” “How is that possible, Swamiji!”

“I came here searching for you. I deceived the guards at the gate and climbed over the outer wall, leaping down into the courtyard. At the very spot where I placed my foot, that cat had deliberately stretched out its tail. My foot only brushed its tail lightly. Even so, that wicked cat began to attack me with its claws. Brother! Listen to what I say! One may fight with a tiger, one may even fight with an elephant, but never, ever fight with a cat!”

“Swamiji! That secret is now clear to me…”

“What secret?”

“That cat came here to my room. It brushed my forehead with its tail. It played with me, purring affectionately. It did not scratch me with its claws. It attacked and scratched only you! What could be the reason? It must be a fierce Shaivite cat that cannot stand the sight of Vaishnavites!…”

“Oh ho! Is that so? How did such a thought not occur to me? If I had known it was a fierce Shaivite cat, I would have given it four sacred blows with my staff!”

“It is good that you did not have your staff in hand. Because, ever since I entered this holy place, even my own body has begun to boil with Shaivite blood. The dagger in my belt cries out, ‘I want fierce Vaishnavite blood!’ I have restrained it only in gratitude for the great help you have done me!”

“My boy! I have not done you any help at all!”

“Vaishnavite! Did you not tell me about your sister, the younger queen of Pazhuvoor?”

“Yes, I told you.”

“When the younger queen of Pazhuvoor was traveling in a closed palanquin near Kadambur, the curtain was drawn aside, and at that moment you pointed her out to me, did you not?”

“Yes, yes, I did. What of it?”

“I shall tell you. That same palanquin, as it was passing near the Thanjai fort, I saw it again. The palanquin bearers deliberately came and struck against my horse. To seek justice, I drew aside the palanquin’s curtain and looked inside…”

“Who was inside?”

“The younger queen of Pazhuvoor is none other than Nandini Devi herself!”

“Oh ho! You are a fortunate man. No matter how much I tried, I could never catch a glimpse of Nandini. But you have managed it!”

“When fortune comes, it arrives of its own accord!”

“And then?”

“I mentioned your name. I told the Devi that you had sent me with an important message…”

“Even if I tried, I could never match you. Nowhere in this universe have I seen anyone who can lie so shamelessly as you do…”

“Vaishnavite! My ancestors had a great fondness for poets. They themselves composed many poems…”

“So what?”

“The blood of that poetic lineage runs in my veins as well. That’s why, at times, my imagination overflows. Common folk like you might call it lying…”

“Very well; what happened next?”

“Amazed by my imagination, Nandini Devi gave me the Pazhuvoor signet ring. She told me to come and see her at the palace.”

“Did you go?”

“Of course, how could I not? I went at once. Nandini Devi, who learned of my valorous exploits from my own lips, entrusted me with an important task.”

“What task was that?”

“It seems that in Lanka, the Pandya dynasty’s crown of Madurai and the Indra-mala are hidden. The royal family of Lanka has concealed them in the hill country. She sent me, saying, ‘Somehow, find those jewels and bring them back!’ I set out, not knowing how difficult this task would be…”

“They say the jewels in the great Pazhuvettaraiyar’s treasury weigh a thousand donkey-loads. Even all that is not enough for the younger queen, it seems. Well, what did she promise to give you if you brought them back?”

“He promised to wrest the guardianship of the Thanjai fort from the