After witnessing Kundavai’s tears, Vanathi too began to sob uncontrollably. Even the iron heart of Aniruddha Brahmarayar, who had seen countless joys and sorrows in this world, softened at the sight.

“Mother! The one truly responsible for all the hardships the Emperor now endures is this sinner before you. I do not know what penance I must perform to atone for my sins!” he said.

“Sir! There is nothing you do not know. Yet, let me tell you what I know. That Karaiyar’s daughter is not dead. She is alive. If you inform my father of this, his suffering will end and peace will return to his heart. I came to you for this very reason—to ask you to arrange, by any means, to bring my elder sister here. But you have already taken steps towards this!” said the young princess.

“Yes, child! I too had come to the same conclusion. I have decided to inform the Emperor that Mandakini Devi is alive. But if I simply tell him, he will not believe me. How can I convince him that what I said before was a lie, and what I say now is the truth? That is why I thought to bring that lady here first, and then reveal the truth. If he sees her with his own eyes, he will have no choice but to believe. For this very reason, I traveled to the island of Lanka. But the Pazhuvettaraiyars have told the Emperor that I went to Eezha Nadu to conspire with your brother and Periya Velar. To prove that this is not the case, I am determined to bring Mandakini Devi before your father,” said Aniruddhar.

“Sir! If you suddenly bring her before him like that, it might cause harm to my father. He must be informed beforehand, and only then should he be allowed to see her!” said the young princess.

“Yes, yes, that is exactly what I intend to do. I thought I would inform him once Mandakini Devi arrived at this house. I had planned to go to the palace this morning. But before I could, the daughter of Thyagavidangar interfered and caused me disappointment. One day, I will mete out fitting punishment to that wicked woman!” declared the Chief Minister. “Ayyo! Please, do not do anything like that. I do not know whether she is a good woman or a wicked one. But wasn’t it Poonguzhali who saved Arulmozhi from drowning in the sea?”

“Say that God saved him, Mother! The Lord who reclines upon the ocean of milk protected him. Without His grace, what could this young woman have done? If astrology is true, if the effects of the planets and the movements of the stars are real, then neither sea nor fire nor storm nor earthquake can harm the prince…”

“Nothing happens without the Lord’s grace, that is true. But does not the Lord’s power work through human beings? I have decided to send Poonguzhali back to Nagapattinam, sir! Or, if