Kundavai Piratti pondered how she might console Manimekalai. Her heart, overwhelmed by unbearable sorrow and anxiety, was so troubled that no comforting thought would come to her. At that moment, a great commotion arose at the palace entrance. “Vanathi! Look and see what it is! These people have forgotten even the Emperor’s state of mind and health! How can they make such a clamor?” she exclaimed. Vanathi hurried to the palace front, peered out, and immediately returned in haste. With great excitement, she said, “Akka! He is coming!” “Who do you mean by ‘he’?” Kundavai asked with a smile. “It is him, Akka! Your younger brother!” At once Kundavai said, “Very well, then. Take this girl a little aside for now.” Seeing Vanathi hesitate, the young princess added, “Go quickly! He will not leave without seeing you. I will send for you myself.” Once Vanathi took Manimekalai by the hand and led her away, Ponniyin Selvan arrived at that spot. “My brother! I hear that wherever you go, crowds gather and raise a tumult. Now you have brought them right to the palace gates! If the Emperor, whose heart is wounded and sunk in sorrow, were to hear this uproar, how much pain it would cause him!” she said. “What can I do, Akka! Am I alone free from anguish? Even before Karikalan’s heroic body was reduced to ashes, these people have begun to shout, ‘Crown Arulmozhi!’ This clamor is harsh to my ears. Every moment, I feel like running away without telling anyone. But if I do so, the confusion will only grow greater…” “There is always a lingering fear—will they let me go? If Madurantakan and the petty kings plot together and kill me, the people will believe it without question. The thought of the calamities that might arise from such a belief makes my heart tremble with dread.”

“Yes, yes! Never do such a thing! Cast away even the thought! Let the people think what they may. But the Emperor’s heart would surely break. It is enough that he is already tormented by memories of Mandakini Devi and Karikalan!” said the Younger Princess.

“That is why I hesitate to flee. Somehow, I wish to speak good words to the people and the warriors, and try to win their consent to crown Madurantakan. Whenever I speak, the people listen with careful attention. But the moment I turn away, they resume their old shouts. I come away thinking I have changed their minds, but immediately, the elder of Thirukovalur and the Velar of Kodumbalur go and sway the minds of the soldiers! Akka! It is about them that I came to speak to you. You must summon Malayaman and the Velar and speak to them. No matter what I say, they do not heed me. If you speak, perhaps they will listen…”

“I too have tried to persuade them in every way, Thambi! But I have not been able to change their stubbornness. We must look for some other