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. She would not have said so without grave reason. It is being spoken all over the land that several minor kings of Chola Nadu are plotting against the family of Emperor Sundara Chola. On the other hand, there are rumors that some from the Pandya country are secretly conspiring as well. The people have gathered at our gates, suspecting that we, who dwell in this Buddhist vihara, are aiding those conspirators. In such a situation, is it wise for you to go out and reveal yourself before the people? Think on it! If, in our efforts to protect you, we must face some hardship, so be it. We shall never retreat from that duty!”

As the chief monk was speaking thus, another young ascetic hurried in, agitation written on his face.

“Swami! The situation has gotten out of hand. Thousands of people have surrounded us, shouting that they must see the Prince. No matter how much we insist that the Prince is not here, it is of no use. They are clamoring that they themselves must come inside the vihara and search. If we do not give them some answer, it seems they will force their way in!”

“What answer can we give them? Only if Lord Buddha shows us a way to change their minds is there any hope,” said the chief monk.

At that moment, the Prince spoke: “Gurudeva! I have thought of a way. I beg you to listen with compassion. Your disciples have told the people that I am not here. If I now go and stand before the people—”

“It will make liars of your disciples’ words. That is why the fury of the people may become even greater,” he said.

“It will certainly happen. And we are the ones who must bear the consequences,” said the Bikshu.

“Instead of that, I will make your disciples’ words come true…”

“Prince! Even you cannot accomplish that, I think. What has been said has been said—how can it be made true now?”

“There is a way. Before the people break into this vihara, I can leave from here, can I not?”

“Ah! To save us, must we commit such a sinful act? Must we send you away?”

“Gurudeva! There is neither sin nor blame in this. Not half a mile from here, at Anaimangalam, is the Chola palace. Just as I went to see my sister the other day, now too I can slip away along the canal and reach there. Later, when the time is right, I can return. That will suffice!” said the prince.

It seemed that the Acharya Bikshu was pleased with the prince’s suggestion.

“Yes, yes! If you do so, there will be no need to reveal yourself at once. Your sister’s wishes too will be fulfilled. But at the place where the canal leaves the vihara, might not the people be standing? They may see you leaving by boat,” he said.

“Gurudeva! There is a way around that too. Let us tell