If poets were asked to describe the beauty of the Princess of Kodumbalur, they would compare that maiden’s loveliness to the charm of twilight. When the day fades and dusk descends, a gentle melancholy settles upon the heart; yet, along with it, a serene delight also arises. After the sun’s final rays have waned and disappeared, the darkness of night gathers all around. To dispel the weariness that this brings to the mind, it is enough to gaze at the sky—how much joy is bestowed by the countless radiant lamps that Queen of the Heavens kindles in the blink of an eye! Unlike the blazing brilliance of the sun, they do not dazzle the eyes; one may gaze upon them and delight in their beauty. And if the moon has risen, nothing more need be said. The world is filled with the pearly glow of the full moon; heart and body are both suffused with its light. It is true that, at dusk, the lotuses close their petals. Yet, as if to rival the stars, jasmine buds burst open and bloom, and their fragrance intoxicates both earth and sky.

It is true that, once the sun has set, the joyous songs of birds fall silent. But listen! How sweet now are the deep notes of the temple’s bell and the melodious strains of the nadaswaram! From the tops of the palace towers, slender fingers pluck the veena and the yāzh, conjuring forth songs of exquisite delight!

In the beauty of Princess Vanathi of Kodumbalur, the hues of sorrow and the polish of joy were blended so subtly that they could not be distinguished. Her nature, too, was twofold, in keeping with her beauty. At times, she would appear as gentle and sorrowful as Chandramathi or Savitri, whose hearts were steeped in grief. At other times, she would shine as a living statue of joy, like an apsara or an urvashi, reveling in love and song in the celestial realms. Sometimes, she seemed the very image of Kannagi, mourning the loss of her beloved husband. At other times, she appeared like Valli, her heart entwined in longing for Lord Murugan. And again, she would glow with bliss, as if she were Deivayanai herself, garlanding Karthikeya while all the heavens rejoiced and danced in celebration.

For several days together, not even the faintest smile could be seen on Vanathi’s face. On other days, she would laugh without pause, her laughter scattering into the air in a million tiny droplets, mingling with the wind and filling the whole world… Such rapture, such ecstasy!

One might guess that the reason for Vanathi’s dual nature lay in the time and circumstances of her birth and upbringing. While she was yet in her mother’s womb, the young Velar of Kodumbalur was engaged in fierce wars. News of victory and defeat alternated, arriving one after another. These tidings brought joy and sorrow in turn to her mother’s heart. Not long after Vanathi was born, her mother passed