Chapter II

THE DEATH OF KOVALAN AND KANNAKI

In the last watch of the night, Kovalam and Kannaki took the road to the west. They did not tell their friends of their going. The country was wild. Their way lay through jungles. Many were the hardships. they endured. They were of gentle birth. But they endured without a murmur, Each was struck by the courage and fortitude of the -other. Their trials drew them closer together. Their hearts beat as one heart. They whispered, ‘“ Already have we begun our new life, you and I together.”’

At Srirangam they crossed the river. Here a messenger overtook them. He bore a letter from Madhavi. The dancer upbraided Kovalan. She begged him to return. She was ready to forgive.

Kovalan was not stirred by the appeal. He turned to his wife. He smiled upon her. “T have been blind once. Now my eyes are opened. I see the beauty and virtue of my ‘own wife.” The messenger said, ‘“ Your parents also grieve for your flight.” Again, -Kovalan smiled. ‘“ Tell them how happy you

found me, Let them grieve no longer. Rather let them rejoice with me.”

Day after day, the happy pair tramped on. One evening, they saw the domes of Madura in the sunset. Their journey was. done.

The next morning, Kovalan kissed his wife. He went alone into the city. He wished to sell one of the golden anklets. But to whom could he go? None but a prince could buy so costly a thing. Could the king’s goldsmith help him? Kovalan sought him out. Now the king’s goldsmith was a rogue. The scoundrel had stolen a gold anklet from the queen. He saw Kovalan’s anklet. He thought, “Now I see my way clear.” He went to the king. He took the stranger with him. “O king. You have been robbed. The Queen’s anklet is missing. I have ceased not in my search. Here itis. And here too, is the thief.”

The king went pale with rage. Kovalan tried to speak. The king would not listen. Guards seized the unhappy man. At one savage blow, his head lay on the palace floor.

The news of his death reached the ears of Kannaki. Her grief and rage knew no bounds. She resolved at once to avenge the

foul murder. She went to'the king. No guard dared to hold her. She cried to the king,, “I am the wife of Kovalan. He is innocent. You murdered him in a fit of passion. I do not ask you to believe the words of a stranger. I can prove my words. What did you put in the anklet of the Queen to make it rattle ?

The king answered simply, “ Pearls.”’

Kannakidemanded, ‘ Cause my husband’s anklet to be brought.” It was brought. Kannaki broke itopen. Little red rubies fell to the floor.

The king groaned. ‘“ Kovalan is indeed innocent. I am guilty of murder. Woe is me!”

These were his last words. The king fell forward on his face. He was dead. Remorse had slain him.

’ The death of the king did not still the rage of the poor wife. She destroyed the whole city by fire. By virtue of her chastity she did it. Only then could her soul be at peace,

For fourteen days, Kannaki walked away from the burning city. At last she came to the Red Hill. Kovalan flew down in a car to tneet- her. He signed to her. She mounted

MANIMEKADAI 9

beside him. The car rose again in the air. Side by side, Kovalan and Kannaki came to Swarga,

Some hillmen -beheld the miracle. They ran to tell the king. The king marvelled at their story. “Let us build a temple in honour of Kannaki,” he said. ‘We shall place her image in the temple. Men shall come to worship her. From this day, Kannaki shall be our Goddess of Chastity.”

The king’s orders were obeyed. The Temple of Kannaki rose above the Red Hill.

In time, the news came to their old home. Madhavi grieved sorely. She' decked herself in widow’s weeds. She refused all’ comfort. She danced and sang no more. She went into a convent. She said, ‘Here will spend my days in humble service.”

Now Manimekalai was a lovely maiden. No dancing girl was so clever as she. But her heart was, not in her work. Her mind was. grave and thoughtful. Her heart ‘turned to religious service. The life of the Lord Buddha held a great attraction for her. The cruel murder of her father Brieved her. She saw how life is short and uncertain.- She saw how its joys are vain. “I cannot’ dance now,” she said. “I hate and

despise my life. Let me go to the convent. Let me stay with you, dear mother.” Her mother gladly consented. Together, they entered the monastery. They hid their beauty from the world.