Didn’t someone say that Aditya Karikalan had gone hunting long ago and might have even forgotten the art of archery? But those who witnessed him hunting in the forests along the banks of the Veeranarayana Lake that day did not think so. Countless wild beasts fell prey to the arrows that flew from his bow that day. Hares, deer, bears, and leopards fell dead at his feet. When no animal appeared before his eyes, his arrows soared at the birds flying in the sky. Hawks and peafowls shrieked and tumbled to the ground. Karikalan’s bloodlust only grew fiercer as time passed.

Those who accompanied him had little to do. The noise of the horses and men moving in a group startled the wild animals, causing them to scatter and flee from their hiding places. That was the extent of the others’ contribution to the hunt. Karikalan would not even allow them to shoot arrows or throw spears at the beasts that charged at him. Once, Kandanmaran shot an arrow at a bear that lunged at Karikalan. Karikalan turned to him and asked, “Kandanmara! Did you try to kill the bear? Or did you try to kill me?” Mockery and scorn flashed across Kandanmaran’s face. After that, he did not bend his bow again.

By the time the sun reached its zenith, everyone was exhausted. The thought of resting a while and then returning home arose in everyone’s mind. But Karikalan, instead, drove his weary horse deeper into the forest paths.

All morning, Kandanmaran had been riding close to Karikalan. But after Karikalan asked him, “Did you try to kill me?” Kandanmaran fell back and joined Parthibendran. He began to complain to him about the prince’s rough manner and harsh words. Parthibendran tried to pacify him.

At this moment, Vandiyathevan approached Karikalan. The two of them rode ahead together. Vandiyathevan had not brought a bow or arrows. He was not much practiced in archery. He carried only a spear in his hand. Therefore, in Karikalan’s hunt... Without interruption, Vandiyathevan proceeded cautiously. He was ever prepared to use his sword should any danger arise along the way. Yet, until midday, there was no need for such measures.

Kandamaran said to Parthibendran, “Isn’t today’s hunt enough? It seems as though he intends to wipe out every beast in this forest in a single day. To quench his hunting frenzy, we must take him to the Kolli Hills! Please, tell him, ‘Enough for today; let us return home!’”

To this, Parthibendra Pallavan replied, “Brother! There is a storm raging in the prince’s heart. Is it an easy thing to relinquish a vast empire? He is venting all that fury in the hunt. For now, that is well and good. Otherwise, he may turn that wrath upon you and me. Let him tire of it and declare, ‘Enough.’ We need not interfere.”

At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed through the forest, making the wilderness tremble. A sign of fear appeared on Kandamaran’s face.

“Alas!