At that moment, no one had expected that the Princess of Kodumbalur would make such a vow. All who heard it were struck with astonishment.

The young princess, her voice rising with a mingling of anger and pity, said, “Girl! What is this vow? Why did you take it? Is there such foolishness in the world? You speak as if you are possessed by some madness!”

“No, Akka! No! I am not mad. My mind is clear. What I have just spoken aloud for all to hear is a decision I have long pondered and resolved within myself,” replied Vanathi.

Before Kundavai could respond, Poonguzhali’s laughter caught her attention. It seemed, for a moment, as if that girl truly had been seized by madness. First, she laughed out loud, a bubbling, ringing laughter. Then, covering her face with her hands, she began to sob, her shoulders shaking. Suddenly, she stopped her weeping and, in a soft voice, began to sing:

“When the sea’s waves are stilled, Why does the ocean within surge and swell?”

Kundavai turned to Alwarkadiyan and said, “It seems these two girls together will drive me mad as well. Thirumalai! You set out to meet the prince—why have you brought her back here with you?”

“Devi! I did set out to meet Ponniyin Selvan. But the roads were flooded everywhere—I could not go further. I saw that she, too, was stranded, unable to proceed. She said that if I could arrange a boat, she would row herself to Thiruvarur. For that reason, I returned to the astrologer. When I saw your chariot-boat near the temple, I was delighted. I thought I could ask you for the boat and take her across. But the Pazhuvettaraiyar has taken both the chariot and the boat!” said Alwarkadiyan.

“What do you propose now? You heard everything the Pazhuvettaraiyar said, did you not?” asked Kundavai. “Yes, Mother! After hearing that, every minute wasted here feels like an age. From what this woman says, it seems the Emperor truly faces a terrible danger. Even the Prime Minister may not know of it. Therefore, you must take the Princess of Kodumbalur and go to Thanjavur at once. If the Kodumbalur forces have perhaps besieged the fort, none but you could get past their lines. If Vanathi Devi comes with you, it will be even easier. I will calm this boatwoman and bring her along, find a boat, and go to Ponniyin Selvan. I have already sent the astrologer’s disciple to fetch a boat!” said Azhwarkkadiyan.

Vanathi, startled, sprang up and glared at him. “No! No! I will go only to Ponniyin Selvan! Even if I must die, I will die at his feet!” she declared.

Hearing this, Poonguzhali cried out in a shrill voice, “Vaishnavite! I cannot come with you! My lovers are calling me on the Kodi shore! In the dead of night, my fire-breathing lovers are calling me! The Princess sent a palm-leaf letter, and even to that valiant Vanar clan warrior I showed my lovers. I must go to them!” she shouted.

Until now, the astrologer had listened to all their conversation in astonishment, without joining in. Now he interrupted. “Mother! Mother! All of you, please be silent for a moment!” he pleaded, raising his voice.

For a minute, all conversation ceased. Then, another sound arose—a tremendous, awe-inspiring roar, like the tumult of waves in a storm-tossed sea.

“Ladies! You have come to this sinner’s hut at such a time! I am the one who foretells the future for the whole land. Yet I failed to warn you and send you away!” the astrologer lamented.

“Sir! What is this? What new danger is coming for us?” Kundavai asked.

“Mother! My disciple told me this morning that the flood in the royal canal is rising and may break the northern bank. If the canal bursts, all that water will pour into the Kaveri. If the Kaveri overflows, this poor man’s house will be completely submerged. This house stands very close to the river. Come! Come! Come outside!” cried the astrologer, running out of the house in terror.

Everyone followed him outside. With a face full of dread, the astrologer pointed and exclaimed, “Look!” In the southwest direction he indicated, an extraordinary sight appeared. A lush green wall, as tall as half a coconut tree—an expansive wall, long and slightly curved—was seen advancing towards the house with a rumbling noise. In a single instant, everyone present realized that the banks of the Kaveri had burst, and the floodwaters were surging forward like that wall.

“Amma! Come! Everyone, run this way! We can climb up onto the Amman temple mandapam and stand there! There’s no other way to escape! It was indeed wise that I sent my disciple Thirumalai to fetch a boat! Hurry, come!” cried the astrologer, leading the way.

The others followed him. All of Poonguzhali’s wildness had now vanished. “Devi! You need not fear at all. I have faced floods far greater than this!” she said as she ran. She reached the temple mandapam ahead of everyone and leapt up onto it.

By then, the flood had surrounded the temple as well. The water had risen up to the knees of those still standing below. The astrologer and Azhwarkadiyan scrambled and stumbled up onto the mandapam. Only Kundavai and Vanathi remained below. Both tried to climb up; Poonguzhali, who was already above, grasped the hands of the princess and lifted her up. Only Vanathi was left standing below. She tried twice to climb, but both times her hands slipped.

The two women above tried to pull her up into the mandapam. Poonguzhali grabbed one of her hands, and the young princess Kundavai seized the other. Vanathi suddenly looked up. She saw that Poonguzhali was holding one of her hands. Instantly, she shook it off, freeing herself from Poonguzhali’s grasp.

In that swift motion, Kundavai’s hold also slipped. Vanathi fell with a splash—she fell into the water. By then, the water had