Chapter XXI — The Fate of Kayachandika

At midnight, the gandharva came into the alms-house. He crept into a dark cor- ner. He took his sword from its sheath. He kissed the naked blade. He crouched in the shadow, and waited for his rival. Like a snake coiled in its hole, he looked, ready to strike. And his wild eyes glittered like the snake’s eyes.

At midnight, too, came the Prince Udhaya-kumaran. Past the sleeping guards he had crept from the palace. Through the streets of the sleeping city he walked softly. Through the gate of Chakkaravala-kottam the came, and he made no sound. At last he stood within the alms-house. Kanchana knew him for the Prince. He smelled the sweet sandal-paste on his godlike body, and it was like blood in the nostrils of a hungry lion. Like the hooded snake, he darted from his hiding-place, and raised his ssword-arm to strike. Down came the wea- pon on the head of the unconscious Prince. He fell dead at the feet of his enemy.

Kanchana did not stop to look at his foe. He dashed toward the shrine of

Sampapathy. He had seén Kayachandika go in there. He wished to carry her off.

But his steps were stayed. A voice cried out to him, ‘Forbear, forbear!’ It was the voice of the Oracle of the Pillar. “In the shrine of Sampapathy, the Goddess of this city, is no Kayachandika. It is Manimekalai, in her guise. You have come here to find your wife. You will never find her in this life. The curse of elephant- fire was lifted. Kayachandika hungered and was appeased like any other. The curse of the mantram was lifted also. | Kaya- chandika thought of her dear husband. She was eager to see him once more. It was the Festival of Indra. For twelve years her faithful husband had come in the time of the Festival. Kayachandika said to herself. ‘This time I shall fly north, not the south. I shall make all speed. I shall arrive there before he leaves.’

“You know that Durga dwells in the Vindhya -hills:: No deva flies over the crest of the mountain. That would be an insult to Durga: She would punish the offender with death. Kayachandika came to that place:' Perhaps she’ forgot the custom. Perhaps she did not care. She was so’ eager

to be with her beloved Kanchana once more, she could not wait. She took the risk. And Durga was angry at her boldness, She killed ISayachandika.

“So was Kayachandika punished — for her too great love for you. And you too, must be punished for your too great love for her. The Prince Udhaya-kumaran has died according to his fate. Thus was it written in the Books. It is not for his death that you must sutfer,*but for the rage and hatred that you harboured in your heart.”

The poor gandharva had lain prostrate at the feet of the Oracle while she spoke. Now he raised himself and went from the place. He said sadly, ‘I am ready to die, [am not worthy to live.’