Natrinai 32 – The heart’s thought

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

In this episode, we marvel at the wisdom engrained in the Sangam literary work, Natrinai 32, written by the proficient Kabilar, set in the ‘Kurinji’ landscape or the mountainous regions, in the wise words of the lady’s confidante to the lady.

”மாயோன் அன்ன மால் வரைக்கவாஅன்,
வாலியோன் அன்ன வயங்கு வெள் அருவி
அம் மலைகிழவோன் நம் நயந்து என்றும்
வருந்தினன்” என்பது ஓர் வாய்ச் சொல் தேறாய்;
நீயும் கண்டு, நுமரொடும் எண்ணி,
அறிவு அறிந்து அளவல் வேண்டும்; மறுதரற்கு
அரிய-வாழி, தோழி!-பெரியோர்
நாடி நட்பின் அல்லது,
நட்டு நாடார், தம் ஒட்டியோர் திறத்தே.

We can immediately grasp that the verse, though small, is packed with thought. Words like ‘அறிவு அறிந்து’ meaning ‘Knowing with intellect’ and ‘பெரியோர்’ meaning ‘the great in wisdom’ whisper this, to our minds. I was enchanted by the phrase ‘நீயும் கண்டு, நுமரொடும் எண்ணி’ meaning ‘Seeing for yourself and contemplating with your dear ones’. Isn’t this ancient verse setting the standards for good decision making? Having come to the lush ‘Kurinji’ land of mountains, we find ourselves searching all around anxiously for those rejuvenating glimpses of nature. And, there, soothing the eyes is the sight of the ‘கவாஅன்’ or the mountain slopes and the ‘வெள் அருவி’, the ‘white cascades’! We need not have worried for Kabilar is not one to disappoint. He packs his verse with nature and nurture for the mind too! 

Before we can glean wisdom from anything, we must see it as it is. Where it’s coming from and what it means. A man has expressed his affection for the lady to the confidante. Taking this message to the lady, the confidante says, “Behold those mountain slopes, black, akin to the skin of God Maayon and the waterfalls, white, like the complexion of God Vaaliyon. The lord of these mountainous lands has expressed his love for you and is in distress that you are unaware of his affections. I say these words to you and yet, you understand it not. I suggest that you analyse well for yourself and discuss it with those dear to you and then, arrive at an intelligent decision about his affections. An absolute decision that cannot be questioned! May you live long, my friend! Know that great minds deliberate with deep thought and only then accept friendship but never doubt the nature of friends in their fold.”

In a verse packed with substance, the first thing that catches our eyes is the description of the land. The mountainous slopes are paralleled to the dark skin of God Maayon and the flowing waterfalls to the fair skin of God Vaaliyon. There are many different ways to describe a mountainous land, as we have seen before and as will continue to see. So, the question, why this particular metaphor? Let’s hold that question, for a while and analyse other elements. First, the Gods! Who are they? God Maayon is said to be a God of the ancient Tamils. He was born in a family of cattle herders and was said to be dark in complexion. God Maayon shares many similarities to God Vishnu in the Vedas and a Sumerian God named ‘Tammuzh’. Which of these myths contain the original origin story is a debate for archaeologists and historians. Someday in the future, we may be able to trace back to where these myths began and how they evolved. Or maybe not! In any case, we are free to bask in the beauty of what these stories have to tell us. The main point here, is that there is so much similarity in the myths of ancient cultures, which to me, seems to echo the oneness of humankind. Moving on to God Vaaliyon, he is the elder brother to God Maayon and has a fairer complexion. I read that it’s this God Vaaliyon who is the equivalent of Lord Balaraman in the Mahabarathas.

Isn’t the essence of every religion, the betterment of human nature? So, let’s move on from the Gods to the insightful words of the lady’s confidante. She says that those who are great in mind and wisdom always think, analyse and then accept something but they never question that which they have accepted. To put it in modern mottos, this is the friend saying, ‘Think before you act. Accept your choices.’ Though it seems like common sense, why is this so difficult for us? I think when something captivates us, we do not see all aspects of it. We just see what we want to see! Certain shades do miss our rosy-eyed glasses. Understanding this fully well, the lady’s friend urges her to do the right thing, after thinking for herself and discussing with dear ones. Most of all, she beckons her friend to see both the black and the white of the ‘Maayon mountain slope’ and the ‘Vaaliyon waterfall’ in the nature of her beloved. Will a heart in love heed her wise words?