First swept away by the river’s flood, and then by the breach’s torrent, the great Pazhuvetarayar, exhausted beyond measure, lay for a long time unconscious, senseless, sleeping like a log. After he had slept enough, faint memories and dreams began to stir within him. At one moment, Durga Parameswari herself stepped down from the temple idol, took four steps, and came near him. Her divine mouth blossomed as she fixed him with eyes blazing like fire.

“Ah, Pazhuvetaraya! You and your clan have belonged to me for generations. Therefore, I warn you. That Nandini whom you have brought into your palace—she is a demoness in the form of a human woman! She has come to uproot and destroy your lineage and the Chola dynasty. She is waiting for the right moment. Cast her out from your palace, cast her out from your heart, and then attend to other matters! If not, an everlasting disgrace will befall you and your clan…”

Thus warning him, the goddess turned and merged back into the idol…

Pazhuvetarayar started up in alarm. His body was trembling all over. It was difficult for him to believe that what he had seen was merely a dream. Yet, he resolved that it must be so.

Dawn had broken fully. The fury of the storm had abated. The rain had ceased. Only the sound of “sho” could be heard. He walked to the edge of the temple’s outer hall and looked around. The sight that met his eyes was not encouraging.

The breach in the Kollidam had grown much larger by now. Nearly half the river’s flood seemed to be pouring through the gap with a deep, gurgling roar. To the east and south, there was nothing but a vast expanse of floodwater. Only to the west, for a short distance beside the temple, the waters whirled and leapt, rushing away. Beyond that, dense groves of small trees and thickets stretched far into the distance. He guessed that must be the forest adjoining the village of Thiruppurambiyam, and somewhere within that forest, in its midst, must stand the ancient Pallipadai temple where King Prithiveepathi of the Ganga dynasty was commemorated with a hero stone.

In that ruined mandapam, memories of the great battle that had taken place there a hundred years ago came flooding back to him. He recalled the heroic deeds performed by his ancestors in that war, acts of valor that had aided the Chola dynasty. Would it be possible that such a calamity could truly befall his ancient, illustrious lineage because of this Nandini? Was there some truth, after all, in what Durga Parameswari had revealed to him in his dream?

Whatever the case, he must henceforth be on his utmost guard. He must discover the true nature of Nandini’s intentions. Only after leaving this place could he attend to other matters. If he could reach the village of Thirupurambiyam, perhaps he could find help there. If anyone else had survived the capsized boat, they too