The celestial Kalpaga tree showered its blossoms of color upon Poonguzhali. The kinnari harps of the heavenly realm poured forth melodies of bliss. Why? For the very nerves of Poonguzhali’s body had become the strings of a divine veena, playing godly music. The prince’s words, sweet and gentle, had intoxicated her so.

“Prince! I am no maiden of the heavens; I am but a poor boatwoman. What you drank was not the nectar of the gods, but the milk elixir from the Kuzhagar temple!” she said.

“If you are not a maiden of the heavens, am I to believe it? Are you not the blessed daughter of Varuna? O Princess of the Ocean! How many times have you given me life? What can I ever give you in return?” the prince replied.

“Sir! Grant this poor girl just one more day and night in your company,” pleaded Poonguzhali.

“How can that be? I must depart for Pazhaiyarai at once,” said the prince.

“No, a message has come, summoning you to Nagapattinam.”

“From whom?”

“From the young princess herself!”

“Who is that there, another man? The one pulling the boat with Vandiyathevan?”

“That is my cousin, Sendhan Amudhan. The young princess sent the message through him, asking that you be taken to the Choodamani Vihara in Nagapattinam.”

“Ah! Has my sister’s mind changed? Has my desire for the crown faded away? For a long time, I have wished to join the Buddhist order. I will become a monk, travel to distant lands—Java, Kadaram, Mayirudingam, Mapappalam, China! Ah, what a fortune is mine, Poonguzhali! Come, let us go!” So saying, the prince rose to his feet.

Poonguzhali wondered if he was still not fully in his senses, for he spoke in a feverish haste.

At that very moment, a wailing voice was heard in the distance.

The prince stood startled, “Poonguzhali! What is that?” he asked.

“It’s an owl screeching, my lord!” she replied.

“No! That is a human voice! It is the cry of someone caught in great danger! Let us save him before we go. Before joining the Buddhist monastery, let us perform one good deed!” So saying, the prince tried to leap forward and run. In that attempt, he suddenly fell down. Poonguzhali caught him and supported him.

The two who had brought the boat to the shore came running. The prince, who had once again lost consciousness, was gently lifted by them, carried to the boat, and laid down safely.

The boat began to move along the canal. Except for the prince, the other three sat crowded together in the small space.

Vandiyathevan said, “Poonguzhali! It’s difficult for this boat to bear the weight of four people. In any case, I must take my leave of you here. I’ll get off right now. It is your responsibility to take the prince safely to his destination. There is nothing more I need to say to you!”

His voice trembled. When the moonlight fell upon his face, pearls of tears shone in his eyes.

“Can’t you get off after we cross the Kodikkarai forest? I’ve left my horse there. You remember the place, don’t you?” said Sendhan Amudhan.

“No. I’ll get off here itself. I’ll lie down and sleep for a while in the cloister of the Kuzhagar temple, and before dawn I’ll set out again. Otherwise, I won’t be able to travel tomorrow! There are so many obstacles along the way!” said Vandiyathevan.

Poonguzhali, who had all this while kept the small food bundle safe in her lap, took it and handed it to him. “Here! Kuzhagar temple prasadam. Eat this and sleep!” she said.

“You haven’t eaten anything either. Don’t you want some?”

“After we pass a little way down the canal from Kodikkarai, there are many villages. Either Sendhan or I will go and find some food. But your situation is different. You must reach Pazhayarai without being seen by anyone, isn’t that so?”

“You must not forget that the prince is in the boat as well.”

“Who would believe that the prince is in this boat? Don’t worry about that! That’s our responsibility. No one will pay any attention to this leaky boat.”

“Very well, in that case, I’ll get down here.”

At that moment, once again, that eerie wailing voice was heard. “Ah! What is that?” the prince asked, and then once more lost consciousness.

Poonguzhali stood up.

“I cannot; I cannot do it. If the prince finds out, he will never forgive me. Stay in the boat for a little while longer. I’ll go and rescue that sorcerer from the mud and return. The place is quite close from here!” she said, and as she spoke, she leapt from the boat onto the canal bank.

“In that case, I’ll come with you. I won’t let you go alone to that criminal,” said Sendhan Amudhan.

“No, Amudha! You stay in the boat! Watch over the prince carefully. I’ll go with Poonguzhali and return. I, too, have something to settle with that sorcerer!” said Vandiyathevan, and hurried after Poonguzhali.

In Poonguzhali’s mind’s eye, she saw the terrifying vision of the sorcerer sunk up to his chest in the mud, surrounded by jackals waiting to tear him apart. Amidst that, she also saw the prince turning to her and accusing, “Woman, you are a murderess!” These visions lent great speed to her feet. She reached the muddy pit where the sorcerer had been submerged with astonishing swiftness. But there, she was bitterly disappointed to find the sorcerer gone.

Vandiyathevan, who had followed her, came close and learned the reason for her hesitation.

“It must be another muddy pit. Aren’t there countless such pits along the Kodi shore? You must have forgotten!” he said.

Poonguzhali pointed to a cloth belonging to Sendhan Amudhan, which had been caught on a bush. Poor girl! She could not speak.

“Do you think he’s sunk in the mud? No, no! Can Ravidasan be killed so easily? He has a hundred lives! He