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Ponniyin Selvan Book Chapter 13 Free Read Online

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Full Read the Online Chapter 13 — The Waxing Moon of the Ponniyin Selvan Book in English PDF Part 1 The First Flood(Volume 1) for free.

Ponniyin Selvan Book Free in English Part 1(The First Flood) Chapter 13 — The Waxing Moon

Do lips exist that do not speak of your fame, noble Vaana? And are there chests devoid of your name tattooed upon them, brave Vaana? Do flagpoles rise without proudly bearing your colors, victorious Vaana? Are there domains that lie beyond your majestic survey?

When he sang, it was quite obvious that the Astrologer was not a musical expert. Nevertheless, he sang the poem dearly and with involvement.

“How is the poem?” he asked.

“The poem is pleasing to the ear! But now, I have to tie my colors to the horns of some bull! I have to stand atop the branches of a banyan tree to survey my domain. Even that is doubtful. My weight might break the branch and throw me down!” said Vandiya Devan.

“Today your situation is like that. How do we know what can happen tomorrow?”
“I thought that you might know; that is why I came here.”

“What can I know Thambi? Like everybody, I am a short-lived human being. But the planets and stars foretell the future. I have learned to understand a little of what they say and then explain it to those who seek me.”

“What do the planets and stars foretell about me, Mr. Astrologer?”

“They foretell that you will grow day by day.”

“Dear me! That is pretty good! The height that I have now is quite too much. I had to bend low as I entered your house! What can I do if I grow taller? There is no use of such generalities. Say something specific.”

“If you ask me about something particular, I can answer more specifically.”

“Tell me, the enterprise on which I am going to Tanjore, will it succeed?”

“If you are going to Tanjore on your own behalf the endeavor will succeed; if you are going on someone else’s behalf, I have to see that person’s horoscope before I answer.”

Vandiya Devan shook his head in astonishment and placed a finger upon his nose. “Sir, I have never encountered as astute a fellow as you.”

“Do not flatter me, Thambi.”

“Ok. I shall ask what I want clearly. I wish to meet the Emperor in Tanjore. Is that possible?”

“There are two astrologers greater than me in Tanjore. You have to ask them.”

“Who are they?”

“One is the Elder Lord Pazluvoor; the other is his brother the Younger Lord Pazluvoor.”

“It is said that the health of the Emperor is in a bad state. Is that true?”

“People will say all sorts of things. Why not? Don’t believe all that they say; neither should you repeat such things.”

“Can you tell me who has the right to succeed to the Chozla throne if something happens to the Emperor?”

“That throne is not for you nor for me. Why should we bother about it?”

“From that fate, we are saved!” said Vandiya Devan.

“It is true Thambi. The right of succession to an empire is not an ordinary matter. It is a very dangerous topic. Is that not so?”

“Sir! At present the prince who is in Kanchi, the Crown Prince Aditya Karikala…”
“Yes, he is there; you have come on his behalf. Haven’t you?”

“You have found that out in the end; no harm done. What about his fortune?”

“I don’t have his horoscope in my hands now Thambi. I have to study it.”

“What about the fortunes of Prince Madurandaka?”

“His, is a peculiar fortune; similar to that of womenfolk. His fortunes are always subject to the power of others.”
“Even now people say that the Chozla Empire is under Women’s Rule. They say that it is worse than the rule of the Queen Alli?”

“Thambi, where do they say such things?” “To the north of the Kollidam.”
“Maybe they are talking about the power of the new bride married by the Elder Lord Pazluvoor.”

“I heard differently.” “What did you hear?”
“They said that the beloved daughter of the Emperor, the Younger Pirati Kundavai, is the one ruling like that.”

The Astrologer peered into Vandiya Devan’s face carefully. He tried to read the face to find out if he was saying these words after recognizing Kundavai, who had left his house a little earlier. There was no sign to support the doubt.
“Totally wrong Thambi. Emperor Sundara Chozla is in Tanjore. Kundavai Pirati lives in Pazlayarai. Moreover …”

“Moreover what? Why did you stop?

“During the daytime, one must look in all four directions before speaking; at nighttime not even that. But there is nothing wrong in telling you, I think. What power or influence does the Emperor have these days? All the authority is held by the Lords of Pazluvoor.” After saying this the Astrologer examined Vandiya Devan’s face once again.

“Sir! I am not a spy of the Lords of Pazluvoor. You do not have to suspect me of that! A little while ago you talked about the impermanence of kingdoms and royal dynasties. You gave me the example of my own Vaanar clan. Please tell me the truth. How is the future of the Chozla Dynasty?”

“I can tell truthfully without any uncertainty. Towards the end of spring, the river Cauvery and its tributaries will be filled with new floods. The people living on the river banks know very well that it is a flood that will rise day by day. Till the beginning of the summer months, the flood will keep rising. By the autumn months, the waters start receding. The people living along the bank realize it to be an ebbing flood. The Chozla Empire is now like the fresh flood of springtime that grows day by day. For several more hundreds of years, it will grow and spread. The Chozla Empire is now a Waxing Moon. The day of the Full Moon is far away. Therefore, the Chozla power will expand more and more.”

“After talking all this time, you have said one thing explicitly! Thanks! If possible, just tell me one more thing. I have a great desire to go on a ship and travel to distant lands…”

“That wish will definitely be fulfilled. You possess the fortune of the wheel. Constant travel will be your companion, as though wheels are affixed to your feet. Your journeys will encompass walking, horseback riding, elephant rides, and voyages aboard ships. Very soon, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a sea voyage.
“Sir, about the Commander of the Southern Armies, Prince Arulrnozli Varma who is now conducting a campaign in Lanka — what do the planets and stars say about him?”

“Thambi, those traveling by ship use an instrument made of the magnetic stone to find their directions. Lighthouses also help these sailors. But do you know what aids the ship in the midst of the wide-open seas? What is the constant friend of the sailors? It is the pole star seen in the low northern skies. The other stars and planets all keep moving from their positions. Even the group of the seven seers’ (little dippers) travels in a circle. But the pole star is never shaken from its fixed position.

The younger son of the Emperor, Prince Arulmozli, is like that pole star. He has the firmness of mind unshaken by anything. In addition to the virtues of selflessness and morality, he possesses the goodness of bravery and chivalry. He excels in worldly knowledge just as much as in learning. With a charming face resembling that of a young babe, he soothes the aches of those who gaze upon him. The darling son of the angel of good luck, he brings fortune wherever he goes.

Just as sailors take direction from the pole star, it will be very useful, if youths like you who embark on the adventure of life, take direction from Prince Arulmozli.”

“Dear me! What is all this that you describe about Prince Arulmozli? It appears like a lover describing his beloved?”
“Thambi, if you ask any fellow of the Chozla country on the banks of the River Ponni, he will say the same.”

“Many thanks, Mr. Astrologer. If the need arises I shall follow your advice.”

“Because I saw that your lucky planets are also on the rise, I said this.”

“I shall take leave of you, Sir! Along with my heartfelt thanks, offered gladly, please accept this small tribute of gold offered to you.” Saying this, Vandiya Devan placed five gold coins in the palms of the Astrologer.

“The benevolence of the Vaanar clan has not died even now!” said the Astrologer as he hid the coins in his waistband.

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