“Sir, why are you so angry with me? What wrong have I done to you?” The plaintive voice of the Kodumbalur princess melted Vandiyathevan’s heart. He wondered, in truth, what reason he had to be angry with this girl. For a moment, Poonkuzhali’s face flashed before his mind’s eye and vanished. What justice was there in being angry with this maiden for the sake of another?

“Lady! Forgive me. I did not mean to say anything of the sort. I only said I would wait outside until you finished speaking with the astrologer. I am in no hurry. Even now…”

“There is no need for you to leave. I am glad to know you are not in a hurry. In truth, I did not come here to see the astrologer. I have lost all faith in his predictions…”

“Devi! Your will is my fortune! One day, you will realize that my predictions are not false. When that day comes, you will praise this poor man!” said the astrologer.

“We shall see about that then!” said Vanathi, turning to Vandiyathevan. “Sir! I came here only to see you. I saw you riding by on horseback along the way. I thought you would stop and inquire. But you passed by indifferently! I was not greatly surprised by it. Why should you care so much for this orphaned girl?”

Vandiyathevan felt as if tears would spring to his eyes.

“Devi, what words are these? Who would call you an orphan? You are the cherished daughter of Parantaka Chinna Velar of Kodumbalur, the foster child of the southern commander Boothi Vikrama Kesari, the intimate companion of the young princess of Pazhayarai—who would dare call such as you an orphan? I merely passed by because I thought it would be disrespectful to stop and question you on the road. That is all. If there is anything I can do for you…”

“Yes, sir! There is indeed something you must do. I came into this house only to ask you for an important favor…”

“Tell me; if it is within my power…” “Is it possible that there is something even you cannot accomplish? I have heard, at least in part, of all that befell you during your journey to Lanka. Can you first promise that you will grant the help I seek?”

With hesitation, Vandiyathevan replied, “Devi! It would be better if you told me what kind of help you seek.”

“Yes; I must not obtain a promise from you by deceiving you. Therefore, I will tell you the matter plainly. The astrologer may also hear it; there is no harm in that. I have resolved to embrace the Buddhist faith and become a bhikshuni—a Buddhist nun…”

“What? What did you say?”

“What are these words?”

“That must not be!”

“The world will not tolerate it!”

“An impossible deed!”

Thus, the astrologer and Vandiyathevan, taking turns, exclaimed in shock. Listening to all this, Vanathi said, “Yes; I have decided to become a Buddhist nun. Why do you object so much to it? What is wrong in it? Have not many women in ancient Tamil lands embraced renunciation? Did not Manimekalai, the daughter of Madhavi, pursue the ascetic path and attain divinity? Do we not even today venerate her as ‘Manimekalai Devi’? I do not harbor such lofty ambitions. I only tried to end this useless life of mine. I failed in that attempt. It seems the will of God is that I must live on for some more time. I wish to spend that time in a Buddhist monastery, serving the cause of compassion. Surely, you will not hesitate to help me in this?”

A small doubt arose in Vandiyathevan’s mind. It startled him.

“Devi! Though your decision is not just, I have no right to question it. The elders of your family should advise you on such matters. I have heard that your noble father, Commander-in-Chief Boothi Vikrama Kesari, is soon to return…”

“Sir! I am not going to wait for anyone; nor will I heed anyone’s counsel. I have made my decision, once and for all. I seek your help…”

“How can I be of assistance in this matter, Devi?”

“I shall tell you. I have set out to go to the Choodamani Vihara in Nagapattinam. I left with the intention of meeting the Buddhist monks there and receiving initiation. I ask only that you accompany me as far as Nagapattinam. That is the help I seek from you!”

Vandiyathevan was taken aback. The princess of Kodumbalur was no simple maiden. It seemed she had overheard the conversation between himself and the younger princess, at least in part. Now she was trying to learn the whole truth from him. She had set out for the Choodamani Vihara in Nagapattinam, but her true purpose was to meet the prince there! He could not be a party to this, not even for a single day.

“Ammani! You must forgive me. The help you seek is beyond my power.”

“What is this wonder? The hero who went to Eezhanaadu and accomplished so many marvels now finds it impossible to escort this orphaned girl to Nagapattinam?”

“Devi! Nothing is impossible. But at this moment, I cannot undertake it. The Prime Minister and the younger princess have both commanded me to go to Kanchipuram at once. I am carrying their written orders. That is why I said I could not do it. If it were another occasion…”

“Yes, yes! If you do not wish to help, there are a thousand reasons you could give. It does not matter. I had already set out with the intention of traveling alone. Only, when I saw groups of Kalamukhas along the way, a little fear did arise. But there is a God whose duty it is to protect all living beings. I entrust my burden to Him and set forth. What can anyone do to a foolish woman who has resolved to renounce the world and become a sannyasini? I shall go.