“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