Kodumbalur’s Periya Velar, the Commander-in-Chief Boothi Vikrama Kesari, was a man seasoned by age and experience; a veteran who had braved many battlefields and earned his scars. He was bound to the Chola dynasty by deep friendship and kinship. His younger brother, the Chinna Velar of Kodumbalur, had attained a hero’s heaven on the battlefield of Lanka a few years earlier. The army that had accompanied him had also suffered defeat and was forced to return. Boothi Vikrama Kesari was deeply aggrieved by this stain upon their honor and was determined to erase it, to restore the valorous reputation of Kodumbalur. That was why, despite his advancing years, he had come to Lanka to lead the army himself.

We have already seen how the machinations of the Pazhuvettaraiyars had hindered the proper conduct of the Lankan war. The long-standing rivalry and enmity between those two minor royal houses had now grown even more intense because of these events. Therefore, it was inevitable that Vandiyathevan, who had been apprehended with the Pazhuvur signet, would face difficulties with the Periya Velar, the Commander-in-Chief.

Fortunately, Aniruddha Brahmarayar had occasion to mention this matter to him. Having learned the truth about Vandiyathevan from Alwarkadiyan, Aniruddha had immediately sent him to Commander Boothi Vikrama Kesari to reveal the facts.

The Commander-in-Chief, Boothi Vikrama Kesari, scrutinized the young warrior of the Vanar clan from head to toe and must have formed a favorable impression of him. In a kindly tone, he asked, “Young man! Were you properly looked after here? Did you have a place to stay, and was your food adequate?”

“Yes, Commander! They took care of me without any shortcoming. There were always five or six attendants at the door, ready to carry out any order. Accommodation was plentiful. For dinner, they even sent me a cat. Just as I was about to eat it, I saw this brave Vaishnavite and became angry. The cat, scratched by his nails, ran away!” replied Vandiyathevan.

The Commander laughed. “Oh ho! This boy seems to be quite a jester! Thirumalai, is what he says true?”

“Commander! His ancestors were poets. So, he has a vivid imagination. But apart from that, what he says is true. When I went to see him, a cat did scratch my hands and legs!” said Alwarkadiyan. Looking at the bloodied wounds on his body, Commander-in-Chief Boothi Vikrama Kesari burst into laughter again and again.

“A mere cat has caused you all this trouble! Fortunate indeed! At least you had this brave man as your guide on the forest path…”

“Commander! I do not need a guide. My walking stick is sufficient for me. It was only because I left it behind to go see him that I landed in this predicament…”

“In that case, you be his guide! Before you set out, make sure he is given a proper meal, and only then depart! Young man! At present, food is rather scarce in Lanka. All the tanks and lakes here have had