Sivagamiyin Sabatham

It would be tough to point out who the real hero of the novel is. Mahendravarman I, the Pallava emperor plays an important role in the first half of the story while his son Narasimhavarman comes into his own as the novel progresses. The plot revolves around the historical events of the Chalukya king, Pulakesi II laying a siege of Kanchi and Narasimhavarman avenging this by attacking Vatapi, the capital of the Chalukyas. The novel is divided into four parts, Part 1: Paranjothi's Journey Part 2: The Siege of Kanchi Part 3: The Monk's Love Part 4: The Shattered Dream The novel climaxes with Naganandhi being allowed to escape by Paranjothi on the grounds that Paranjothi does not want to kill a Buddhist monk. Paranjothi feels disturbed with war and the cost that humans have to pay and announces that he taking the life of a Saivite and takes up the name Siruthondar. Sivagami is united with her ageing father. She is initially heartbroken on realising that Narasimhavarman is married to someone else but later decides to dedicate herself to the God Shiva of Kanchi, Ekambareswarar.