Part Five – The Pinnacle of Sacrifice

Vandiyathevan took the palm-leaf letter and looked at Vanathi. “Princess! Do you remember me at all? I was beginning to think you had completely forgotten me.”

“Sir! How could I ever forget you? How could my husband and I ever forget the help you have rendered us?” replied Vanathi.

“That must be why you waited for a time when I was away to conduct your wedding!” he said.

With a mischievous smile, Vanathi replied, “Yes; if you had been present, perhaps the wedding would have taken place with all the grandeur of Ponniyin Selvan’s coronation! Who knows what schemes you might have devised? Who can say?”

“Was it I who prevented Ponniyin Selvan’s coronation? Was it not the vow you made, in rivalry with Poonguzhali, that you would never ascend the throne? The fortune fell to the boat-girl! What use is it to blame me?” said Vandiyathevan.

“Let her enjoy that fortune! I bear no grudge against her for that, nor do I bear any against you. In fact, I am happy. But when you fix the date for your own wedding, make sure you consult a good astrologer for an auspicious day!” she said.

“It will suffice if we ask the Kudanthai astrologer to choose the date! You have such faith in him!” Vandiyathevan said, looking at Vanathi.

Vanathi laughed out loud and, turning to the younger princess, said, “Akka! Now that he mentions the Kudanthai astrologer, something comes to mind!” She burst into laughter again.

“What are you laughing about, Vanathi? Are you thinking of the astrologer’s prophecy—‘The child to be born from your womb will rule all three worlds’—is that what amuses you?” asked Kundavai.

“Why do you call it mere babbling, Devi? That prophecy is bound to come true!” said Vandiyathevan.

Vanathi, embarrassed without quite knowing why, struggled to suppress her laughter. Then she said,

“Akka! Whenever I try to say something, you always turn the conversation in another direction. I asked the Kudanthai astrologer, ‘From where will a suitable husband come for the younger princess?’ The astrologer replied, ‘Even if he were to leap down from the sky this very moment, he would do so!’ The very next minute, this man came leaping in, arguing with the astrologer’s disciple as he entered! I was laughing, remembering that incident.”

Kundavai, stifling the laughter that welled up within her, spoke with feigned annoyance, “Enough of your games! Let him read the urgent letter he has brought!”

As Vandiyathevan read the letter, both women noticed the shadow of worry that crossed his face.

“What news? What has Kandhamaaran written?” the younger princess asked eagerly.

“See for yourself!” said Vandiyathevan, handing the letter to Kundavai.

The letter read as follows:

“To my dear friend, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyathevan, forgetting all the wrongs and injustices I have done to you, please come at once to see my sister Manimekalai for the last time. Ilanjambuvurayan Kandhamaaran.”

After reading it, Kundavai said, “In a way, this is good news. It seems Manimekalai has been found!”

“What is this? Where had Manimekalai gone?” Vandiyathevan asked in surprise.

“Do you know nothing about Manimekalai?”

“No! I meant to ask you about her.”

“I too wished to tell you; but I hesitated, not knowing how to bring up her name to someone who could remain so stone-hearted about her fate.”

“Devi! How could I be stone-hearted regarding Manimekalai? As far as she is concerned, am I not as good as dead?”

“No; to her, you are not dead—you have become an immortal, one who cannot die!”

“Let it be; at least now, tell me about Manimekalai.”

“It pains me even to speak of it. Sembiyan Maadevi pleaded so much that Manimekalai should remain with her. But Sambuvaraiyar did not agree. He insisted that since Kandhamaaran would be away guarding the border, his daughter at least should stay with him, and so he took her along. Since the Kadambur palace had been burnt down, he obtained the Emperor’s permission to build a new palace on the northern bank of the Paalaar river and set out for that purpose. On the way, near Veera Narayanapuram, they camped for the night. At dawn the next day, they found Manimekalai missing. Thinking she might have run back here, he sent people to check. We replied that she had not come here. From that moment, we have all been in deep worry. We feared she might have drowned herself in the Veera Narayana lake. News came that people were searching for her in all directions. From Kandhamaaran’s letter, it seems they have discovered her whereabouts and found her.”

“What is the use of me going to see her? She will not even recognize me!” said Vandiyathevan.

“Even so, you must go. ‘For the last time,’ Kandhamaaran has written. I do not know what he means by that,” said Kundavai.

“Sister! He is a man without a shred of compassion. He is not at all worthy of Manimekalai’s love. Some people sacrifice entire empires for the sake of love. But he hesitates even to undertake a journey for it!” Vanathi interjected sharply.

Vandiyathevan replied, “Princess! There are only a few kingdoms in this world. Therefore, only a few can sacrifice a kingdom for love. But what you said first is true. I am not at all worthy of Manimekalai’s love. The kind of love she has placed in me should be reserved for the divine. I am not a god, but an ordinary man full of faults and flaws. Manimekalai’s love should be offered to God alone!”

“Even so, there is no harm in you going to see her just once. Kandhamaaran too has written ‘for the last time,’ has he not?” said the young princess Kundavai.

“I did not say that I would not go, did I? I only doubt whether there is any use in going. I hesitate, thinking that I am as good as dead to her. Yet, I do not quite understand