Kudanthai JothiDar, Chapter 10
Born in the lands of Kudagu (Coorg), the water princess Ponni (Cauvery) desired to reach the abode of her consort, the Sea King (Samudra Rajan). Crossing dense forests and mountains, cavorting with rocks and ravines, she increased her speed. As she headed nearer and nearer to her King, her heart swelled. She bubbled and grew with the ecstasy of the union imagined. Just a short distance more, and the loving embrace of her mind sprung forth into two large arms. She rushed with open wide arms, like a lunging tiger in full sprint. Even so, her arms were hardly equal to her yearning heart's ache. The radiating arms grew into tens, twenties and hundreds. She neared her consort with growing desire.
With what did the beautiful maidens and mothers of the Cholas deck this bride, the one with the intense longing to meet her groom, with! How many lush green trees did they drape her with? How many bright hued flowers? What kinds of effervescent perfumes did they sprinkle on her being? Wonderment!
The banks of Ponni brimmed with Beauty Leaf (*Punnai) trees, the Bur flower tree (*Kadamba, Krishna's favorite), gem flower, and diamond hued flowers. How shall we describe their veridical display? Do the flower showers of the celestial demi gods (Devas) hold their own to this beauty?
O, our Ponni! Would I find any damsel in the world with anything but intense happiness at this sight? Which woman's heart shall not swell in happiness at the splendor of this heavenly maid's adornment? Like a bride surrounded by her many friends, would not the women of our lands flock to your banks for play and banter?
One of the arms of Ponni is the so named Arisalaaru (Arisal River). You will find this river to the south of Cauvery. That too, only when you are really close. So dense are the green forests that engulf her banks. She is like the princess of an unknown kingdom who has never ventured outside the palace grounds. No beauty shall equal this.
Let the reader venture with me into the depths of this sight and enter Arisalaaru's domain through the tree lines. Like beauty draped by more beauty and sweetness added to nectar, this is wondrous indeed!
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