Ponniyin Selvan - 1 | Fresh Floods |Chapter - 10 | The Astrologer of Kudandhai

Ponniyin Selvan - 1

Fresh Floods |Chapter - 10 | The Astrologer of Kudandhai

Beautiful River Ponni claimed the Kudagu Mountains as her birthplace and spent her infancy trickling through its fastnesses. But time

passed; she grew to womanhood, and the time came for her to join

her beloved, the Ocean. She gurgled over rocks, flowed through

forests, tumbled off hills and gushed into vales, her eagerness to

reach her destination growing each moment. As she poured over the

plains, it occurred to her that she was closer than ever to her loved

one. Her heart trembled; she swelled with sheer delight. She went

further—two limbs branched out from her, eager to embrace her

lover. She leapt forward, hands stretched in front—but they simply

seemed not enough. How could they, when such love overflowed in

her heart? Her hands grew from two to ten, twenty, a hundred; she

extended them all in a bid to touch SamundraRajan, the Ocean King.

Ah, how the mothers of Chozha Nadu delighted in decking out

their daughter, the bride, in nature’s finery! They laid out lush, green

sarees to wrap around herself; threw fragrant blossoms from every

flowering tree they could find, and scattered breath-taking incense to

welcome her arrival. The sight of Punnai and Kadamba trees lining

her banks, showering the river nymph with their pearls and rubies—

was there anything to ever equal it? Not even the divine blossoms of

the Devas could compare!

Ponni! No maiden could fail to be captivated by your charms; no

woman would fail to lose her heart, dazzled by your bridal finery! And

it only natural, after all, that they surround you with laughter and

delight when they set sight eyes on your magnificent beauty.

One of the slender golden limbs that Ponni reached out to

embrace her consort, was the Arisilaaru. Tucked away to the south

of the vast river, she flowed silently, concealed by a lush avenue of

shady trees. Indeed, those approaching from afar rarely knew of her

unless specifically informed. Hers was a sweet, shy presence; a

princess leading a sheltered life in her anthappuramfrom birth, never

to appear before strangers. There is nothing on this earth that can

compare to the exquisite loveliness of this virginal maiden.

May our readers kindly tear themselves away from the lures of

the anthappuram, and follow us between the dense trees on the

banks, towards the Arisilaaru. Ah, what is this sight that greets us—

sweeter than nectar, and adding charm to such divine beauty?

Who are these young women on a richly carved boat, shaped like

a graceful swan? And who is the lady seated in the very midst of

them? Ah, she is as a golden moon amidst twinkling stars, with the

presence of one born to rule not just this land, but all the seven

worlds! And who might be this tranquil young woman, seated by her

with a veenai in her slender arms? Each of them, it seems, possess

a feature that adds to their loveliness. One is a meenalochani with

bewitching eyes; another is a neelalochani, her eyes an appealing

blue-black. A third’s face glows like a lotus in full bloom; a fourth’s

eyes are of a graceful shape that would put that very same lotus’s

petals to blush. As for the one who plays the veenai—one could

spend days just watching her fingers, as delicate as the soft kaanthal

flower, dance upon the instrument.

And what, indeed, of their charming songs! The river flows softly,

listening to their merry voices; even parrots and nightingales nestling

in trees on the banks have fallen silent in deference. It is no surprise,

therefore, that humans, much more capable of appreciating such fine

music, should lose themselves in ecstasy.

But what do they sing? Ah, here it is:

Marunguvandusirandhuaarppa,

Manippuaadaiathuporthu

Karungayarkkanvizhithuolgi

Nadanthaivaazhi Kaveri

Karungayarkkanvizhithuolgi

Nadanthaellaamninkanavan

Thirunthusengolvalayamai

Arinthenvaazhi Kaveri

Poovarsolaimayilaadap

Purindhukuyilkalisaipaada

Kaamarmaalaiarugasaiya

Nadanthaivaazhi Kaveri

Kaamarmaalaiarugasaiya

Nadanthaellaamninkanavan

Naamavelinthiramkande

Arinthenvaazhi Kaveri!

Now where have we heard these charming words, before?

Indeed, yes—they are verses from the Silappathikaaram, praising

the divine Kaveri and her peerless beauty. And yet, sung by these

young women, they possess an allure that holds listeners in thrall.

They must be Ponni’s beloved hand-maidens; no one else could sing

about her with such fervour. The melody, expression and emotion

that flow from their voices! But no, that is all nonsense. No one could

possibly pick these songs apart and examine them for what makes

them beautiful—it is sheer magic, sorcery that well nigh bewitches

both singers and listeners!

The boat floats along the river, gradually sidles towards a gap in

the trees, and stops at a landing. Two women step out; one is the

majestic young lady we saw before, who possesses the aura of an

Empress; the other is the one who played the veenai with delicate

fingers. Both were beautiful—but in their own way, with classic

features. One’s face resembled a lotus in full bloom; the other had a

countenance that was more akin a gentle kumudha flower. One had

the radiance of a full moon; the other, the translucent beauty of the

crescent moon at dawn. One looked stately, like a magnificent

peacock; the other was a mild nightingale. One was Lord Indra’s

divine consort Indrani; the other possessed the fragile beauty of

Manmadhan’s beloved, Rathi. One was the royal River Ganga, a

vegavahini in her grace and majesty; the other the gentler, bashful

Kaveri.

We shall not test our readers’ patience any longer, and reveal

their identities: the regal young woman was King SundaraChozhar’s

daughter, Princess Kundhavai; beloved sister of Arulmozhi Varman

who would later gain immense fame as Raja RajaChozhan. Her titles

included that of IlaiyaPiratti; she was to become a pillar of strength

that the Chozha Empire would one day lean on. She it was who

would also raise her brother’s son, Crown Prince Rajendra Chozhan

into the warrior and great Emperor he was destined to be.

The other was a princess of the Kodumbalur clan, a faithful

vassal of the Chozha Empire; she resided with Princess Kundhavai,

as was the custom of young women of her state. Fate was to bless

her with a destiny beyond her wildest dreams—but that lay in the

future. At the moment she was a demure, gentle young woman, as

yet unaware of the part she would be called upon to play.

When they had stepped out of the boat, Kundhavai turned to look

at the others, still in it. “Stay where you are. We shall return in a

naazhigai.”

All the young women in the boat belonged to one royal clan or

other in the empire; they resided with Princess Kundhavai in

Pazhaiyarai as was the custom; all hoped for her patronage, as

princesses of various vassal kingdoms. To see her now stroll away

with just one among their group, was galling. Disappointment and

jealousy warred in their narrowed eyes.

On the banks stood a chariot at the ready, horses harnessed.

Kundhavai glanced at the young woman beside her. “Vanathi, get in.”

When she obeyed, IlaiyaPiratti followed. The chariot set off at a

spanking pace.

“Akka, may I know where we’re off to?” asked Vanathi.

“Indeed you may,” answered Kundhavai. “We’re about to visit the

Kudandhai astrologer, of course.”

“But—why? What do you wish to ask him?”

“What else but about you, my dear? You’ve been looking pale

and dispirited for months now—not to mention thinner than ever. I’d

like to consult him about your health, and find out when you’ll be

better.”

“Akka, if you please—there’s nothing the matter with me. If this is

all you wish to ask him, may we turn back? Please?”

“No, my girl, we won’t. I promise that I shan’t utter a word about

you. Shall we say, instead, that I wish to consult him about my

future?”

“You? But—why would you consult an astrologer about yourself?”

“Why would a girl ever want to consult one? I wish to ask him

about my marriage, of course. Will I ever wed anyone? Or is it my

fate to spend my days as a virgin?”

“Akka, wouldn’t you rather ask that of your heart? All you have to

do is nod—princes from all fifty six kingdoms from Imayam in the

north to Kumari in the south, would be ready to fling themselves at

your feet! I daresay they’d arrive in droves from even beyond the

seas. I wonder which prince would be fortunate enough to claim your

hand? But that decision is yours, isn’t it?”

“Let’s say for the sake of argument, that you’re right—but I see

obstacles there as well. Should I ever marry a royal, I shall have to

make my home with him, in his kingdom. Vanathi, I’d hate to leave

Chozha Nadu, made lush and beautiful by the RiverPonni. You see,

I’ve made a pledge to never depart these lands—”

“I confess I don’t see the problem. The one who marries you is

bound to fall at your feet, slave to your every whim and fancy. Order

him to make his home here, and he’ll be happy to do so.”

“Ah, talk about bundling a rat in your waistcloth! Do you truly wish

me to confine a prince of another kingdom here? Are you aware of

the serious consequences that might have, my girl?”

“But—every woman must marry some time, mustn’t she?”

“And which scripture lays down such a rule, I ask you? Take the

poet Auvaiyaar, for instance. Wasn’t she a virgin unto her death?

Didn’t she live a long life, unattached to any man, and yet reap such

fame? A kaveeswari, in fact?”

“Auvaiyaar was blessed by God, Akka—she received the boon of

growing old in her youth. You haven’t a single wrinkle.”

“Have it as you please, then. But I shall marry only a poor soldier

in this very Chozha Nadu—such a one will have no kingdom to rule,

no people to govern. He wouldn’t pose conditions about taking me

away, either. He would make his home here, in this empire, quite

happily …”

“Then—you wouldn’t leave Chozha Nadu, Akka? Ever?”

“Never. Not even if they promised to make me the Queen of

Heaven.”

“Now, I’m truly happy.”

“You are? Why?”

“If you leave, you see, I shall have to accompany you—for I can’t

even imagine living anywhere in your absence. But I don’t wish to

leave Chozha Nadu either—”

“But you’ll have to, wouldn’t you? Once you’re married?”

“I’m never going to get married, Akka.”

“Good heavens, girl—what of the reams of advice you’ve been

giving me, about women and matrimony?”

“Our positions are hardly the same, are they?”

“Why, you imp —! Did you really think to fool me with your little

ways, my girl? I know for a fact that you don’t care the slightest

about these lands; the Chozha Nadu you desire is now in Eezham,

fighting with swords and spears. Vanathi, you didn’t really believe me

to be so ignorant, did you?”

“Akka—do you truly think me so silly? How can I—how can an

insignificant little dewdrop on the grass ever aspire to the sun? How

would it ever come to pass?”

“Indeed; there’s no comparing them, after all. But the tiny

dewdrop does capture the vast, seething ball of fire within itself,

doesn’t it?”

“Truly, Akka? Do you really believe that it may claim the sun?”

Vanathi asked, all eagerness and delight. But then, abruptly,

depression set in. “The dewdrop does cherish desires; it succeeds in

capturing the sun too. But what’s the use? The dewdrop receives the

punishment it so richly deserves for such outrageous daring—it

melts within moments in the scorching sunlight!”

“Wrong, Vanathi. The sun does return the dewdrop’s affections—

he loves her in the only way possible; he takes her to himself and

never lets her return to the earth again. You see, he doesn’t really

want other men to cast their lustful eyes on her, for she belongs only

to him. When night falls, he releases her—don’t we see fresh

dewdrops on the grass each morning?”

“These are merely words to pacify me, Akka.”

“So you do admit that something troubles your heart—while

insisting all these days that it was nothing of the sort! Now you know

why I wish to consult the astrologer.”

“And if I am troubled,” Vanathi stared at the scenes outside, and

heaved a great sigh. “What would be the point of asking him about

it?”

-

The astrologer had chosen to live in the vicinity of a Kali temple in

a corner of Kudandhai, well away from the bustle; it was possible to

arrive at his home without entering the city at all. The chariot

followed a well-appointed path; from the ease with which the

charioteer negotiated the route, it seemed fairly obvious that he had

done so many times, and knew it like the back of his hand.

Their arrival appeared to be expected; the astrologer and his

disciple stood in readiness at his home’s entrance. The moment the

princesses alighted, he came forward and bade them welcome,

deference in every pore of his body. “Perumaatti, Your Gracious

Highness! This humble abode of mine is honoured to welcome you,

the embodiment of Kalaimagal and Thirumagal—that you should

grace this hut once again with your noble presence is truly a

privilege!”

“Ayya, may we be sure that no one else will try to visit you for the

duration of our consultation?” asked Kundhavai.

“Certainly, my lady. Nobody seeks me, these days. And why

should they? Your father, the illustrious King SundaraChozhar rules

with such benign grace that there is no want, need, hunger or

disease. His subjects lead a happy and fulfilling life. Why would they

need to consult astrologers?”

“In other words, I’m doing so because I’m in difficulties.”

“Never, Thaaye! Who in this land would ever dare to imply that

the Pazhaiyarai lord’s noble daughter, blessed with the navanidhis,

the nine kinds of wealth, is plagued by trouble? Doubtless, it is to

succour me that Goddess Ambigai has decided to visit this pitiful

dwelling—for, with every citizen of Chozha Nadu living a satisfying

life, it is I who am now deprived of an income and therefore, in great

difficulties,” the astrologer recovered, with considerable aplomb.

“May I request the princesses to kindly step inside? It is an insult to

your noble selves to stand at my entrance for so long!”

Kundhavai turned to the charioteer. “Make sure the radham

stands under the banyan tree by the temple.” She and Vanathi

entered the residence.

The astrologer paused for a moment to speak to his disciple. “My

boy, guard the door with your life. Make sure that not a soul

trespasses, until our visitors leave.”

The home itself might be of humble dimensions, but it was

obvious that the astrologer had taken great pains to appoint it in a

manner suitable for his royal visitors. A charming painting of the

Goddess was placed in an alcove in one wall; two seats were placed

on the floor, in readiness. A kuthuvilakku cast its golden light around

the hall; artistic kolams were drawn along the walls and floor. In

addition, palm-leaves with intricate drawings of astrological signs

were strewn about everywhere.

The astrologer took his seat, once the princesses had done so.

“My lady must graciously apprise me of the reason for her visit.”

“Wouldn’t you be able to glean that from your palm-leaves?”

“Very well.” The astrologer duly closed his eyes. His lips

mumbled something, as though he were chanting mantras. “You are

here, Thaaye, to consult me about this maiden’s horoscope,” he said

a while later, opening his eyes. “Goddess Parasakthi’s divine grace

informs me so. Is this true?”

“Wonderful! Words fail me, Ayya, when I try to praise your

powers. Indeed, yes—my purpose in visiting you today was to seek

a consultation about this young woman. She came to the

Pazhaiyarai palace a year ago, and you would have been hard put to

find a more carefree, happier girl—she sang and danced all day. For

the first few months, she was the most cheerful among my

handmaidens; full of spirit and enthusiasm. But something changed:

she hasn’t been the same for the past four months. She tires easily

and sits as though in a trance, for hours. There’s never a smile to be

seen on her face but when I ask if something is wrong, she insists

she’s fine. I daren’t face her family if they visit us and make enquiries

about her health!”

“My lady, this young woman is the beloved daughter of the

illustrious KodumbalurVelir the younger, is she not? Is her name

Vanathi?”

“Why, you seem to know everything about her!”

“I have her horoscope too, somewhere about. I remember

collecting it, amongst others. Just a moment Ammani, while I find it.”

The astrologer opened an old box nearby and began rootling about

in it. Soon, he picked up a few palm-leaves from within, and read

their contents carefully.