The moment Alwarkadiyan heard the groaning sound coming from beneath Sendhan Amudhan’s cot, he exclaimed, “Aha! Is that the news? O peerless devotees of Shiva! Have you begun your mischief, just like the old Paramashiva himself?” Muttering thus, he started to climb up.

Poonguzhali swiftly drew the dagger tucked at her waist and brandished it. “Vaishnavite! You, who have blasphemed Lord Shiva, shall not remain in this world for even a moment longer. If you take one more step upward, you will at once reach Vaikunta!” she threatened.

“Mother! Great Shakti! Is there any reply to your words? Attaining the abode of Vaikunta is no easy feat. If you send me there by your own hand, what greater fortune could I ever hope for?” replied Alwarkadiyan.

At this moment, Sendhan Amudhan rose from his cot and said, “Poonguzhali! Enough! Sheathe your dagger! Lord Shiva will not be diminished in any way by this Vaishnavite’s insults. No good can come from evil means. Neither lies nor wickedness will ever yield benefit. Let us tell the truth to this Vaishnavite and seek his help. Is he not also a friend of Vandiyathevan?”

“Then come, let us go! Can mere devotees of Shiva ever deceive me, a humble servant of Krishna Paramatma, the master of all cunning drama? If one surrenders to the compassionate Sriman Narayana, He will surely grant protection. Was it not our Lord Thirumal who rescued the elephant Gajendra from the jaws of the crocodile when he cried out ‘Adhimoolame’?”

“Yes, yes! But before your Thirumal descends from Vaikunta to help, your friend will have already departed this mortal world!” said Poonguzhali, and hurried toward the cot.

The others followed her. They lifted Vandiyathevan, who had been hidden beneath the cot, concealed by a pile of cloth, and laid him upon the bed.

Vandiyathevan lay unconscious. Yet, from time to time, he groaned in pain. Only by these groans could one discern that life still lingered in his body.

Vaani Amma boiled medicinal herbs, mixed them with turmeric powder, and brought them to bind upon his wounds. Azhwarkkadiyan and Sendhan Amudhan held Vandiyathevan’s arms and legs firmly. Poonguzhali and Vaani Amma pressed the hot, freshly boiled herbs onto his wounds and wrapped them with cloth.

The pain from this treatment made Vandiyathevan open his eyes. The moment he saw Azhwarkkadiyan before him, he muttered, “Vaishnavite! You have deceived me! You called me here, and then sent men behind me to kill me?” With these confused words, he slipped back into unconsciousness.

A look of distress appeared on Azhwarkkadiyan’s face. He feared that Vandiyathevan’s half-conscious words would once again arouse suspicion about him in the minds of Sendhan Amudhan and Poonguzhali, so he glanced at their faces.

The smile blooming on Poonguzhali’s lips gave him some reassurance.

“Vaishnavite! Was it you who sent Vandiyathevan here?” she asked.

“Yes, madam! But I did not send anyone after him to kill him.”

“Let that be. Why did you send him here?”

“I sent