When the retinue of Pazhuvettaraiyar and Sambuvaraiyar approached the gates of Thanjai Fort, it was as if the very seas themselves were clashing in turmoil.

“Here arrives the lord of Chola Nadu, the god ordained by fate, the bravest of the brave who has earned sixty-four scars in thirty-six battlefields—the great Pazhuvettaraiyar!” So thundered the heralds, roaring out such titles for each of the minor kings.

In the same manner, titles and honors were proclaimed for the Kodumbalur Velar, the Thirukovalur Malayaman, and others. Drums and conches blared in between. The fortress walls echoed with the sound.

At the fort gate stood the Commander-in-Chief, Periya Velar, Malayaman, the Prime Minister, and others, waiting below. Thus, the Pazhuvettaraiyars and their companions had to dismount from their vehicles. Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar thought that the Commander-in-Chief and the others had stationed themselves at the gate in a gesture of welcome, intending to lead them inside the fort after making them dismount from their chariots. He shared this thought with the others as well. He requested that the Commander-in-Chief himself take on the responsibility of speaking with the assembled group.

Periya Velar and the others expected that they might need to converse with the arriving dignitaries for a while. Therefore, instead of blocking the fort entrance, they stood a little apart in the open ground near the flagpole. When the minor kings approached them after dismounting, the Commander-in-Chief, Periya Velar, called out, “Welcome! Welcome, O minor kings, who are like the eight elephants supporting the eight directions of the Chola realm! Welcome! May your arrival bring prosperity to the Chola kingdom and the Chola clan!”

Immediately, Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar replied, “Yes, sir! May our arrival bring good fortune to the Chola kingdom! And likewise, may your departure also yield auspicious results!” At these words, Periya Velar’s eyes reddened.

“Sir! For the prosperity of the Chola kingdom and the glory of the Chola clan, it is the tradition of the Kodumbalur Velar lineage to journey to all directions. The whole world knows that my dear brother, Paranthakan Chinna Velar, gave his life on the battlefield of Eezham. I myself was in Eezham until just a few days ago. The art of riding a horse with a spear in hand is well known to our clan. To remain safely within fortress walls, tending to palace inner chambers and treasuries…” “We are well aware of the customs that safeguard the royal chambers and the traditions that are upheld. If it is certain that the Chola clan will benefit from your arrival and my departure, then I shall not remain here for even a moment longer!” thundered Periya Velar.

At this moment, the Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar intervened, saying, “Scions of the royal house! What doubt can there be that the coming together of all of you will bring good to the Chola kingdom? Each one of you has, for generations, toiled for the glory of the Chola realm. In every one of your lineages, there are those who have