Nandini

Chapter 51- May the Great Deluge Begin

"Honey, what did you tell that lazy boy?"

Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar looked so ecstatic like another silly boy. He was practically dancing with joy. Chandramukhi, Aazhinangai and Dharani Nachiyar who were sitting in Nandini's gazebo dreaming about the brave feats Ponniyin Selvan is going to accomplish in Ezham and Nandini who was listening to it really enjoyed the change in his demeanour.

"Do you mean Maduranthakan? I didn't tell him anything, my Lord. I go there to meet Ammu".

"Then that's equivalent to meeting him. He is more interested in women's discussions than in men's pursuits", the ladies laughed. "Come girls, let these love birds have a good time. We are going to Tara akka's chamber", Dharani winked at Nandini as they moved out.

"Yet . . . Nandini, what did you tell him?"

"I . . . I don't remember, kanne. Maduranthakan is always there and I might have said something out of courtesy".

"Can you believe it? Thambi said that he is interested in accompanying me to Thirumunaipadi to attend the meeting on rainwater harvesting and vegetable cultivation".

"If it won't be considered offensive, please let me ask something. Why are you so happy about this?", she feigned ignorance. Even her heart was dancing. She is one step closer to her goal.

"My angel! If Maduranthakan shows interest in matters administration, won't it be good for our clan and kingdom? Karikalan has become arrogant and vain. Ha! Does he think that other men have never been to war or held offices? I have 64 scars . . . "

"Really, my lord! What will happen to our original plans? Isn't the matter of succession already settled? If Maduranthakan tries to do anything against the crown prince, won't everyone target him and us?"

"I know how to handle everyone", Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar boasted smuggly. "Now only the ladies in anthapurams recognise him. We have to introduce him to every relevant chieftain. Then I will convince them to support him. Che! If Maduranthakan could at least hold a spear properly, we could have sent him to Lanka instead of Arulmozhi".

Pazhuvettaraiyar came closer to her. "Honey, this should remain between us. If the other ladies know about this, they might tell someone in their families and the news will spread like wildfire".

"I won't tell anyone. But . . . aren't these just dreams? Will Maduranthakan agree to this? He may want to come to the conference because he wants to learn about vegetables."

"I didn't tell you because others were here. Our son-in-law even enquired about the rules of succession and the system of regency. Oh, you might not know what is that. Regency means someone else ruling in the place of the legitimate ruler because they are too young or sick. That's why I asked what exactly did you tell him".

"I am just reading poems to Ammu's baby. These two are always chanting thevarams. I want the baby to listen to the feats of his ancestors and become a brave girl or boy . . . I mean, boy".

"Umm kalli!. . . Have you started preparations  to become a mother? Are we too going to live as husband and wife?"

What! Damn! "You are impossible!", she moved to the other side of the gazebo, hid her face in jasmine flowers and giggled. Some insects bit on her neck and arms. Damn!

"I support this idea only because Ammu's son might wear the crown one day. Other people don't have such an incentive to support him. Darling, I am scared."

"Last week, didn't you say that Maduranthakan is like Sriramachandran himself, if he didn't have to fight rakshasas?"

Nandini did indeed say that. She didn't expect that Maduranthakan will get new ideas this fast or Pazhuvettaraiyar will encourage it with glee. If someone suggested something like this last year, this man would have pulled their tongue out. Does she have so much influence on a man who had taken the same pledge as aabathudavigal, but to serve the Chola clan?

"Yes, but these are bad times".

"I know kanmani. We will accomplish this without any internal strife. In one way, it is good that Karikalan is staying at Kanchi and Arulmozhi is going with Bhooti Vikrama Kesari. Maduranthakan can become the Emperor's regent immediately if most of them agrees. Nandini, what happened? Why do you look so angry?"

How could she not look angry? It was that bhootam who packed her off from Pazhayarai on yakshi's command and destroyed her life.

"My Lord, I am worried about someone accusing you of treachery or other misdeeds. What will they think of you take him with you? Perhaps Maduranthakan needs to travel secretly in a palanquin or something. I will summon our sorcerer and start new penances and austerities from tommorow itself".

Pazhuvettaraiyar's face become gloomy. "Is that necessary, dear?"

"Yes, it is", Nandini insisted.

°--------------°

"Amma, we saw with our own eyes. We too wouldn't have believed it if someone told us", Vasuki and Thirumati were laughing madly. "Ayyo! My stomach is aching", "Mine too'.

Even Nandini was surprised. Maduranthakan went with Pazhuvettaraiyar in her palanquin. Wasn't it she herself who suggested that Maduranthakan can travel in a palanquin or something? She didn't think that they would take it seriously.  Now how will she travel freely when he is away? People can't see her outside when she is supposed to be with her husband. She will have to find a way.

Nandini sent Thirumati to Ravidasan with a message:

"Shani has afflicted Draupadi. This time, fish will swallow Manu. May the great deluge begin".*

*Aabathudavigal call Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar Yama and Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar Yama's elder brother. Yama's elder brother is Shani (Yamagrajam).

Droupadi is Yama's daughter in law. Aabathudavigal, Cholas and their vassals mock that Maduranthakan is a woman.

Carp fish is the emblem of Pandyas

Ellalan aka Manu Needi Cholan is an ancestor of imperial Cholas. Vaivaswatha Manu, the progenitor of the human race, was saved by the matsya avataram of Lord Vishnu.