Ponniyin Selvan – Abridged English Retelling
“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.
A flood of thoughts raced through Vandhiyathevan’s mind. What happened to Vanathi? He had no idea. What happened to Madhuranthakan? Again, he was clueless. What will happen to him, by the end of the night? That seemed to be a dead end too.This seemed to be a coup more complex than what he had seen being planned in the Kadambur palace.
I intend to wait for no one. I do not need wise counsel from any elders. I need a favour from you. I would like you to accompany me to the Nagapattinam Choodamani Viharam, which is where I intend to go.
Vandhiyathevan shuddered thinking about the bed-ridden Sundara Chozhar in Thanjavur, the Prince Arulmozhi suffering from the tropical fever in Nagapattinam, Prince Aditya Karikalan meeting the Pazhuvoor Rani in Kadambur, and Madhuranthakar, whose recent lust for the throne had angered the people.
He had visited the great cities of Thanjavur, Pazhayarai and Anuradhapuram. He had befriended the love of this land, Prince Arulmozhi, and assisted him. Above all, he had found a place in the heart of the Princess of this land. How lucky was he? Yet, for some unexplainable reason, he was sad.
“Whether you succeed or fail, you will forever be a prisoner of my heart.”
Akka, the four warriors and the palanquin bearers who brought me here, have been resting here for years. They can take me back. No one would dare touch Vanathi of Kodumbalur in this kingdom, especially since everyone knows that I am the Princess’ favourite.
“I have a thousand eyes and ears, spread across the kingdom, and even outside. I have my men even inside the Pazhuvoor palace. One of them told me about Vandhiyathevan’s actions. I also have people like Alwarkadiyan, who roam around the kingdom to get me information. So, I would think, I have enough capacity to know a lot about what is happening in the kingdom.”
She thought about Vandhiyathevan and momentarily became incensed at him. While she had no doubts about his bravery, she now doubted his ability to do secretive missions.
