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In this episode, we appreciate the philosophy reflected in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 46, written by an anonymous poet. It’s set in the ‘Paalai’ landscape or the drylands and revolves around the theme of separation. The poem is expressed in the words of the lady’s confidante to the man, on hearing about his intention to part away, seeking wealth.
வைகல்தோறும் இன்பமும் இளமையும்
எய் கணை நிழலின் கழியும், இவ் உலகத்து;
காணீர் என்றலோ அரிதே; அது நனி
பேணீர் ஆகுவிர்-ஐய! என் தோழி
பூண் அணி ஆகம் புலம்ப, பாணர்
அயிர்ப்புக் கொண்டன்ன கொன்றை அம் தீம் கனி,
பறை அறை கடிப்பின், அறை அறையாத் துயல்வர,
வெவ் வளி வழங்கும் வேய் பயில் அழுவத்து,
எவ்வம் மிகூஉம் அருஞ் சுரம் இறந்து,
நன் வாய் அல்லா வாழ்க்கை
மன்னாப் பொருட் பிணிப் பிரிதும் யாம் எனவே.
The glimpse of the words ‘இன்பம்’, ‘இளமை’ meaning ‘joy’ and ‘youth’ in association with ‘கழியும்’ meaning ‘fades away’ affirms a deep truth that we often ignore. The ‘கொன்றை’ or ‘the golden shower tree’ makes an appearance for the first time in our Sangam travels and we will get to know more about this much-loved tree soon. In the words ‘பறை அறை கடிப்பின், அறை அறையா’, there’s a repeated rhythm that seems to slap against the ears. It’s beautiful how just the sounds of these words convey the meaning of ‘drum beats’ and ‘falling on rocks’. In this same line, we find ‘அறை’ used twice and in two different meanings. The first time it occurs, it means ‘a rock’ and the second, it means ‘a slap’. This is a line of verse, crafted with the skill of an expert musician. In the last line, we encounter ‘பொருட் பிணி’, a loaded expression associating ‘wealth’ and ‘disease’. Intriguing, isn’t it?
Before we can appreciate the philosophy, let’s understand the underlying story. The man intends to part away from the lady, seeking wealth and informs this decision to the lady’s confidante. Hearing this, she says, “O noble lord, joy and youth in life fades like the shadow of a shot arrow. It’s hard to accept that you do not see this. Realising this, you should be here with my friend, taking care of her. Instead, if you leave, my friend shall suffer in loneliness, her bosom bereft of jewels. In your path, the scorched fruits of the Konrai tree, hanging from the branches, sway and fall on the rocks nearby and resound as if drums are being struck with sticks, making even musicians look up in confusion; All around there’s the hot breeze that blows through the scorched bamboo forest. On this distress-filled path, through the impossible wastelands, you intend to leave, seeking a life that is not good, in your affliction to seek that transient wealth.” Saying these words, the lady’s confidante is trying to open the eyes of the man to the happiness at hand, hoping that he will abandon his intention to part away.
Gathering some treasures from the poetic riches of the poem, we first meet with the simile that talks about the fleeting nature of joy and youth. This transience is likened to not just a flying arrow, but the shadow of a flying arrow. A thoughtful simile indeed, for even an arrow can said to have some weight in one’s mind, but calling out to the shadow of an arrow lays emphasis on how fleeting the thing is. In talking about the dryness of the land, the fruits of the ‘Konrai’ tree are brought into the picture. The ‘Konrai’ tree is famous for its flowers and it turns out to be the state flower of Kerala called ‘Kanikkonna’ and even the national flower of Thailand. While the flower gets all the fame now, the poem however refers to ‘கனி’ or the fruit of the Konrai tree, which has a long stick-like structure. Swaying in the hot wind, these fruits are said to fall like a slap on the rocks nearby, making musicians look up in confusion, apparently searching for the new drummer in town. The lady’s confidante, stressing on the dryness of the path that the man intends to take, talks about the hot breeze that swirls around burnt bamboo forests and paints a portrait of utter distress. She finally caps it off by calling his seeking of wealth, an affliction. A disease of the mind, perhaps!
So, we see the poem bringing forth, two transient things: youth and wealth! How does the man face this truth of life? What he has and what he wants are both transient! The lady’s confidante, with her words, tilts the scale in favour of joy and youth, for what use is wealth without joy, she seems to ask. A difficult dilemma, not just for the man, but even two thousand years later, for us, as we try to balance the scales of seeking wealth and living a fulfilling life!
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