Ponniyin Selvan – Abridged English Retelling
If the Nandi statue itself is so big, imagine how big the Shivalinga would be. If the Shivalinga is so big, imagine how big a temple we should have to house it?
Poonkuzhali did not open her mouth. Amudhan mentioned that it was the Princess Kundavai and the Kodumbalur Princess Vanathi, who were waiting at the Nandi Mandapam, at Aanaimangalam.
Sometimes the Prince felt that he had reached heaven. He wondered how he had reached heaven and remembered the boat ride to here. He remembered the fragrant flowers on the sides of the canal. He remembered the Devakumaran and the Devakumari who brought him here. The Devakumaran was probably a Shiva Bhakthan, because he had sung quite a few Thevaram songs. The Devakumari had only spoken a few words in their entire journey. Her voice seemed like music to his ears. She looked at him with warmth. He wondered where they were now.
“Prince, there is no point trying to find that out. I have eyes and ears in every corner of this kingdom. There is nothing that can happen in this kingdom, without my knowledge.”
The elephant continued its majestic gait. There were soldiers in front and at the back of the elephant. The rain stopped. She saw the clouds disperse and the stars come out. She wondered if the astrologer’s words of her son, who would rule the three worlds, would be true. She drifted off to sleep.
“I had received information that a girl with knowledge of a very important information related to the state, was traveling on this stretch of road to Nagapattinam. She knows information about someone who is a great threat to the kingdom. I had given orders to my men to capture her and bring her here. Perhaps they might have gotten the wrong person.”
Vanathi said in a trembling voice – “Do you know who I am? I belong to the Kodumbalur Velars. If you harm me, you will be vanquished completely.”
He hissed back, “Yes, we know about you. That is why we were waiting for you. Keep quiet for a while.”
He jumped on the Kalamugar and knocked him down. He pinned him down and sat on his belly and tugged at his beard, which came off. Vandhiyathevan looked at the saint and realised who it was
“Child, keep quiet when elders are talking. If you do, a tiger will eat you up. And no, a fish cannot eat a tiger.”
Earlier when Vandhiyathevan had seen her, she looked like a sarvaalankara-bhooshani (one who was bedecked with every type of jewellery). Now, she looked different. Her hair was untied, and she looked like the fierce Durga Devi.
