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In this episode, we relish the changing seasons in the mind, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 115, penned by an anonymous poet. The verse is set in the ‘Mullai’ landscape of forest country and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, filling her with optimism about the man’s return.
மலர்ந்த பொய்கைப் பூக் குற்று அழுங்க
அயர்ந்த ஆயம் கண் இனிது படீஇயர்,
அன்னையும் சிறிது தணிந்து உயிரினள்; ”இன் நீர்த்
தடங் கடல் வாயில் உண்டு, சில் நீர்” என,
மயில் அடி இலைய மாக் குரல் நொச்சி
மனை நடு மௌவலொடு ஊழ் முகை அவிழ,
கார் எதிர்ந்தன்றால், காலை; காதலர்
தவச் சேய் நாட்டர்ஆயினும், மிகப் பேர்
அன்பினர்-வாழி, தோழி!-நன் புகழ்
உலப்பு இன்று பெறினும் தவிரலர்;
கேட்டிசின் அல்லெனோ, விசும்பின் தகவே?
An idyllic scene greets our eyes, as we saunter into the poem, with the words ‘மலர்ந்த பொய்கை’ meaning ‘a pond filled with flowers’. The phrase ‘கண் இனிது படீஇயர்’ meaning ‘lay down, rendering eyes sweet’ talks about the restorative effects of sleep. Learnt that ‘உயிரினள்’ means ‘she let out a sigh’ and I paused to relish the connection between the ‘breath’ in a sigh and the word ‘உயிர்’ which means ‘life’. For a moment, the expression reminded me of the soulful memoir ‘When breath becomes air’! The blessed life that makes our air breathable, the citizens of the plant world, are represented here by ‘நொச்சி’ and ‘மௌவல்’, referring to ‘chaste tree’ and ‘jasmine’ respectively. The expression ‘மிகப் பேர் அன்பினர்’ meaning ‘one with great love’ and ‘தவிரலர்’ meaning ‘one who keeps his word’ epitomise the qualities of the man. The verse finishes with ‘விசும்பின் தகவு’ meaning ‘nature of the sky’. Wonder what that nature could be!
Walking further, we understand that the man and lady have been in a love relationship and the man has parted away to gather wealth for the wedding. In this period of separation, the lady languishes in ill-health, pining for her man. The confidante, intending to cheer her up, says, “Tired out after plucking flowers in the wide pond, our playmates rest their eyes with sweet sleep. Mother too, sighs, letting go of her anger, a little. Feasting on the clear waters of the vast sea and rendering it lesser, rise up rain clouds. The ‘nochi’, having leaves like that of a peacock’s feet, along with the jasmine in the courtyard, opens out its dark clusters and blooms together. This is the time that heralds the arrival of the rains. Even though he has gone to a land, quite far away, he’s one filled with great love for you. May you live long, my friend! Even if he were to attain boundless fame, he will not forget his promise. Don’t you hear that echo in the sky?” With these words, the confidante praises the man’s qualities and points to the changes in the weather, heralding the arrival of good things in the lady’s life.
Now, it’s time to soak in the raindrops of this poem. We learn that the lady’s playmates are tired out, plucking the flowers in the pond and are sleeping now. This makes the lady’s mother sigh in relief and let go of her anger. Investigating the reason why, it could be that mother is irked by the changes in the lady’s health, owing to the parting away of the man, and is angry at the confidante and lady, for not revealing the true reason for it. Why then, does she let a sigh of relief now and is calmed somewhat? Perhaps because she sees the tiredness and pallor in the lady’s friends after their day of play, and decides that the ill-health in her daughter too, could be attributed to some such simple reason. The confidante then talks about the rising clouds that have diminished the waters of the great seas and are bringing forth changes in their world. There’s the ‘nochi’ shrub with leaves that are equated to a peacock’s feet in an apt simile, marrying the animal and plant world. Before their eyes, the jasmine creepers in the courtyard are seeking out ‘nochi’ shrubs and the buds of both plants are opening out in bloom together. The confidante talks about this scene, not only to mention the changes the weather brings about, but to add that the lady and man will unite together soon and live with such fragrant joy.
The man’s qualities are outlined one after the other. Indeed, he has travelled to a far-away land. The distance may be great but what’s greater is his love for the lady, the confidante says. She highlights that he is someone who will never forget his promise saying that even if he were to gain limitless fame, he would not stay back and forego his word. With that, the confidante reminds the lady that the man promised he would be back in the rainy season and behold, the thunder in the sky speaks of his arrival! The confidante concludes that the nature of the sky that rumbles and roars reveals the nature of the man who will abide by his word. A subtle message to us that it is in nature, we can find cheer and see the world with renewed hope!
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