Outside the Choodamani Vihara, the sound of the sea swelling and roaring was echoed by the rising murmur of the crowd. For a while, both the Acharya Bhikshu and Arulmozhi Varman listened to that tumultuous noise.

The prince was deeply troubled, thinking of how the Buddhist monastery and its monks had been drawn into this great predicament because of him.

“Swami, I am sorry that I have brought this trouble upon you,” he said.

“Prince! Even if a hundred times this trouble came upon us because of you, we would not mind. Would this ever be enough to repay the help you and your family have given us?” replied the Bhikshu.

“It is not just that. I have never liked conducting affairs in such secrecy and concealment. Why should I remain here and say ‘no’ to those who seek me? Why should I involve you in an act that goes against the truth? Thanks to your devoted care, my health has recovered well. I will leave at once, go outside, and reveal myself to the people. I will announce to them that you sheltered me, treated me, and saved my life. No disgrace must ever come to this Choodamani Vihara because of me,” said the prince.

“Sir! There is nothing here that goes against the truth. Your enemies are trying to discover your whereabouts. That is certain from the rumors they have spread in Nagapattinam these past two days. In such a situation, what is wrong in keeping your presence here a secret? It is sometimes necessary for royalty to remain hidden for a while. Did not the Pandavas spend a year in incognito exile? Can anyone say that Dharmaputra acted against righteousness then?” asked the Bhikshu.

“Gurudeva! I know well your wisdom and your skill in debate. I cannot win an argument with you. Yet, let me say this: the Pandavas were compelled to hide because of the wager they had accepted. I have no such compulsion. You speak of my enemies. Who are such enemies to me? Why should they—” “Must I become an enemy? I have not the slightest desire to rule a kingdom. I have declared this openly, and even if I do have enemies, I will win them over and make them friends. I will ensure that I cause you no trouble. If the people find some satisfaction in knowing that I am alive, let them have it. Who stands to lose anything by that?”

“Prince! All that you say is true. In your position, I too would think and act the same. But what stands in the way is the promise we have given to your noble sister, Princess Kundavai. You yourself have often declared that never has a woman of such wisdom been born in the Chola lineage as the Younger Princess of Pazhayarai. In my opinion, none such has been born in any royal family. She left strict instructions that we must keep you here and protect you until she sends word.