Madurantaka, known as Sendhan Amudhan, turned to his mother, the venerable Sembiyan Maadevi, and said, “Mother! In this world, there are countless people who wander about, possessed by the madness of war. To them, any day without battle seems a day wasted. My friend Vandiyathevan and Ponniyin Selvan both belong to that group. But you—if there is a day when you do not speak of the Lord, you consider it a day not lived at all! It is truly astonishing to hear you speak in support of the profession of war!”

At this, Sembiyan Maadevi replied, “My beloved son! Let anyone else speak ill of the profession of arms, but not you. Nor should Poonguzhali. Is it not because the kings of our lineage are skilled in the art of war that you are alive today, singing hymns of praise to the Lord that melt both my heart and body?”

“Mother! Let it be that I saved your precious son’s life. But I can never forget that both he and your daughter-in-law, whom he took by the hand, saved my life as well. Is it not Poonguzhali Ammaiyar’s martial spirit that is the reason I am alive today?” said Vandiyathevan.

“Parameswaran and Durga Parameswari are the ones who protect us all! Without their grace, how could we protect one another?” said Madurantaka.

“Child! Even Lord Shiva, who is the very embodiment of compassion, has had to wage war many times. Durga Parameswari, the Mother of the Universe, who is the form of love, grace, and peace, too, has found it necessary to fight. In this sacred place, the Goddess presides in the temple as the Lady who fosters righteousness. Yet, have you not noticed that in the temple’s circumambulatory path, she also appears as Mahishasuramardhini, the Slayer of the Buffalo Demon?”

“Yes, Mother! I noticed and marveled at it. I wondered why the Mother, who gave birth to and protects all the worlds, stands upon the head of a buffalo and reveals herself thus!” said Madurantaka.

“Yes, yes! In this temple, the Goddess has already slain Mahishasura. That is why, in the face of the Goddess standing on the buffalo’s head, we see love and grace shining forth. In the cave sculptures at Mamallapuram, there is a depiction of the Goddess battling Mahishasura. There, Durga Parameswari appears as the fierce, terrifying, warlike Kali. As the Mother of all worlds—” Why, O Durga Parameswari, must there be such a commotion over a mere quarrel with a buffalo? To the onlooker, it may seem excessive to make such a spectacle of it. My dear prince, every event that dawns in the hearts of our elders holds a deeper meaning. To understand them, one needs maturity. One must also possess the earnestness to seek that understanding!”

“Devi! Whether we possess such maturity, I do not know. But earnestness, we surely have. We listen with utmost attention to every word that blossoms from your sacred lips! Why, even the ever-restless eyes of our Vallathu