The others in the boat could not sense the anguish that had taken root in Pazhuvetarayar’s heart. They thought he was so troubled only because the boat had been caught in the storm. The elder Pazhuvetarayar was famed for his unparalleled courage of mind. Seeing even him so shaken, fear began to creep into the hearts of the others as well. All of them, wondering at what moment the boat might capsize, started thinking about ways to save themselves.

At last, after the boat had struggled and floundered for a long time, it drifted half a league east of the landing place where they were supposed to disembark, and drew near the shore. “Now there is nothing to worry about,” everyone breathed a sigh of relief. At that very moment, one of the trees on the riverbank, which had been dancing like a ghost in the gale, snapped with a thunderous crack and fell. The wind lifted the broken tree and hurled it into the water near the boat. The oarsmen tried valiantly to turn the boat away and steer it clear. It was no use. The tree, moving with great speed, crashed into the boat. With a resounding ‘thadaal’, the boat overturned. In the next instant, everyone in the boat was flung into the water.

Since all the others had already been thinking about how to save themselves if the boat capsized, when it actually happened, they were somewhat prepared to face the danger. As the boat had drawn close to the shore, some swam to land. Some clung to the branches of trees. Others grabbed whatever they could and floated in the water.

But Pazhuvetarayar, absorbed in other thoughts, had not anticipated the disaster that befell the boat. When it capsized, he was plunged into the water. The force of the current carried him far away. He swallowed water several times; water entered his nose and ears; he struggled and floundered, but at last, somehow managed to steady himself and rise above the current. He could see neither the boat nor any of its passengers.

At once, the old warrior’s ancient resolve sprang up in his heart. The great hero who had fought and triumphed in many battles under the most perilous circumstances now resolved to fight and conquer the flood of the Kollidam as well. He looked all around. He reached out and caught hold of a log that was floating nearby. Fixing his gaze on the shore, he began to swim. Against the force of the flood, against the fury of the storm— With great speed, and all the while fighting against the current, he swam onward. When his arms grew weary, he floated for a while, letting the water bear his weight. Several times he tried to climb up the riverbank, but the rain had turned the shore to slippery mud, and each time it pushed him back into the river. Immediately, he leapt and caught hold of the drifting log he had let go.