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In this episode, we listen to wise words about the inevitability of an event, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 366, penned by Peri Saathanaar. Set in the mountains of ‘Kurinji’, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady’s mother, revealing the lady’s relationship with the man.
பால் வரைந்து அமைத்தல் அல்லது, அவர்வயின்
சால்பு அளந்து அறிதற்கு யாம் யாரோ?
வேறு யான் கூறவும் அமையாள், அதன் தலைப்
பைங்கண் மாச்சுனைப் பல் பிணி அவிழ்ந்த
வள் இதழ் நீலம் நோக்கி உள்ளகை
ஒழுகு கண்ணள் ஆகி,
பழுதன்று அம்ம, இவ் ஆயிழை துணிவே.
‘Faultless is her decision’ is the thought at the core of this verse. In the opening words ‘பால் வரைந்து அமைத்தல்’ meaning ‘fate plans and executes’, we see an instance of strong belief in destiny in Sangam people. Away from abstractions, the beauty of the real world can be sensed in ‘பைங்கண் மாச்சுனை’ meaning ‘a huge spring in the midst of much greenery’. Another element of nature blooms in ‘வள் இதழ் நீலம்’ meaning ‘a blue lotus with thick petals’. A phrasal portrait of the lady can be seen in ‘ஒழுகு கண்ணள்’ meaning ‘lady with tear-filled eyes’. Ending with the words ‘இவ் ஆயிழை துணிவே’ meaning ‘the strength of this maiden wearing well-crafted jewels’, the verse welcomes us within.
Flowers in the mountain spring and fate in the lady’s life are the two elements of thought here. The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a love relationship and the man was trysting together with the lady for a while. Whenever he was unable to make it to the tryst, the lady languished and seeing her changes, the lady’s family seems to have placed her under guard. At this time, when the lady’s mother inquires to the confidante about the lady’s state, the confidante says to her, “It is something fate has designed and brought to life. Who are we to measure and ascertain the suitability of the man? Even though I suggest different ways of being, she listens not. And, she continues to think about the huge pond amidst the green surroundings to focus on that blue flower with luscious petals, which has opened out its tight buds. Filled with worry within her mind, she becomes the tearful one. Blameless is the resolve of this maiden wearing well-chosen ornaments!” With these words, the confidante reveals the deep love in the lady’s mind for the man to the mother and subtly bids her to end the lady’s misery by taking steps towards the lady’s marriage with the man.
Time to ponder on the philosophy hinted! The confidante starts by talking about the certainty of fate. This is a thing that fate has decided to take in its hands and enact, she says. The question about which specific event she is referring to, is answered, curiously, by a question she puts forth to the lady’s mother asking, who are we to stop that fate by assessing the qualities of the man and weighing whether he is suitable for the lady. So, the event fate has brought about is nothing but the relationship between the man and the lady. Then, she goes on to say how, although as a friend, she advises the lady not to be so, beyond her words of advice, the lady continues to think about the blue flower amidst the lush springs, the one, the man presented to her, and is filled with worry. Result of which, tears keep filling her eyes and falling from there. Saying that no blame can be placed on the maiden’s resolve, the confidante concludes her words to the mother.
A verse that has the striking flower of acceptance at its core. ‘See, this is fate’s decision, mother’, the confidante says and points out the futility of being critical about the lady’s love to her. Hoping these words will the pave the path to joy in the lady’s life. Now, let us turn our minds to a dilemma this verse raises, one that is challenging for friends and parents. When a person speaks of how they are in love with someone else, shouldn’t the friends or parents pause to even think if that person would be right and suitable to their friend or child? Especially for parents, wouldn’t it be hard to accept such a decision without any questions? Also, a related question is if you know that something is not right with the person your friend is in love with, do you tell them or do you let them find it out for themselves? Difficult questions indeed, arising out of this verse from two thousand years ago! All we need to understand is that none of these questions have a simple or single right answer but are simply prompts to give us insight about our own approach to relationships and to life!
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