Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lord with the banner of Garuda, exalted and obeyed,
useless sorrow—these innocent breasts meaningless to him,
bind them tight to his broad shoulders, end my separation
Nacciyar Tirumoli 13:7
‘Mother Uluka!’ Andal held her lamp high and called to the old owl perched outside her window. She could barely keep the light still as evening darkened around them.
‘Tonight, Amma, Appa, and I are going to the temple to ask for Vatapatra sayee’s blessings.’
The owl fluffed her feathers and blinked her glassy green eyes, then shifted closer as if to say she was also coming. Andal reached out to stroke her tawny wings, but the owl hopped to a higher branch. She did swivel her neck though, so their eyes met for one long unblinking moment.
‘Why don’t you call Sri Laksmi and sh
