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In this episode, we perceive positive feelings about a relationship, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 247, penned by Senthampoothanaar. The verse is situated in the hills of ‘Kurinji’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, conveying the man’s promise to seek the lady’s hand in marriage.
எழில் மிக உடையது; ஈங்கு அணிப்படூஉம்;
திறவோர் செய்வினை அறவது ஆகும்;
கிளையுடை மாந்தர்க்குப் புணையுமார் இவ், என
ஆங்கு அறிந்திசினே-தோழி!-வேங்கை
வீயா மென் சினை வீ உக, யானை
ஆர் துயில் இயம்பும் நாடன்
மார்பு உரித்து ஆகிய மறு இல் நட்பே.
‘A worthy relationship’ declares this verse! The opening words ‘எழில் மிக உடையது’ meaning ‘it has much beauty’ glorifies the nature of an entity. In ‘திறவோர் செய்வினை அறவது ஆகும்’ meaning ‘what the great do, will be filled with justice’, we see an expression of trust in the wisdom and judgement of another. The phrase ‘ஆங்கு அறிந்திசினே’ meaning ‘I learnt this there’ conveys an understanding gained elsewhere. From these many abstractions, the verse turns to the reality of wildlife in the mountains in the words ‘வேங்கை’ or ‘Indian Kino tree’ and ‘யானை’ or ‘elephant’. Ending with the words ‘மறு இல் நட்பே’ meaning ‘impeccable relationship’, the verse welcomes us to know more.
What is celebrated thus and why? The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a love relationship and the man was trysting with the lady for some time. After a while, seeing the changes in the lady, her parents confine her to the house. At this time, the lady worries if the man will keep his promise of marrying her. To the worried lady, the confidante says, “It is filled with beauty; It will be fulfilled very soon; All actions of the wise will be just; To people who have kith and kin, these will stand as pillars – All this I clearly understood over there, my friend! As the unfading, gentle branch of the ‘vengai’ sheds its flowers, an elephant sleeps deeply, with its sighs resounding all around, in the land of the lord. This relationship which has given you the right over his chest is flawless indeed!” With these words, the confidante allays the doubts in the lady’s mind and convinces her that good things are about to unfold soon.
Time to explore the nuances. The confidante starts by talking about a certain thing, saying that it’s so beautiful. Then, she goes on to talk about how that will come to bear fruit soon. This, she follows up with the words that those who are noble will follow the path of justice. As the final abstraction, she adds that that thing would be a huge support to those having kith and kin. After speaking in riddles, the confidante steps into the man’s mountain territory to describe it as a place, where an elephant relishes a deep sleep as the flowers of the vengai fall over it. What a picturesque scene to see that gentle giant in the hands of sleep! Returning, the confidante concludes with the words that clarify she was talking about the man’s relationship, for she refers to the lady’s right to his chest and declares the relationship to be one without any flaw!
How sweet these words must be to the ears of one in anxiety! Worry not even a second more, the confidante seems to say, and qualifies her statement with how the man has risen to be worthy of his stature, adding that his actions will be just and will bring joy to the lady’s kith and kin. In that image of the elephant sleeping, the confidante conceals a promise that the man would marry the lady and would relish her company in the shower of the elders’ blessings, akin to those flowers that fall on the slumbering elephant. In other verses, we have seen how the lady’s tresses were considered to be the man’s right, and here, we see how the man’s chest is considered the lady’s right. Perhaps, we can interpret it as an instance of equality accorded to both genders. When you think about it, the man is only doing what he should be doing but the circumstances seem to celebrate it as something extraordinary. Maybe that elevation is needed to raise the fallen mind of the lady. And so, this Sangam verse seems to say, ‘To wipe a tear, do what you must!’.
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