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In this episode, we listen to words of advice rendered to a king, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 5, penned for the Chera king Karuvooreriya Olvaal Koperuncheral, by poet Nariveroouthalaiyaar. The verse is set in the category of ‘Padaan Thinai’, praising a king and showing him the way forward.
எருமை அன்ன கருங் கல் இடை தோறு,
ஆனின் பரக்கும் யானைய, முன்பின்,
கானக நாடனை நீயோ, பெரும!
நீ ஓர் ஆகலின், நின் ஒன்று மொழிவல்:
அருளும் அன்பும் நீக்கி, நீங்கா
நிரயம் கொள்பவரொடு ஒன்றாது, காவல்,
குழவி கொள்பவரின், ஓம்புமதி!
அளிதோ தானே; அது பெறல் அருங் குரைத்தே.
After a complete round of Chera, Pandya and Chozha kings, we once again meet with another Chera king, who seems to have ruled from the town of Karuvoor. The words rendered unto this king can be translated as follows:
“Amidst black rocks that look like buffaloes, elephants graze like cattle. Such a strong forest nation, you rule, O lord! As you are thus, I shall say one thing to you: Stay away from those who stray from grace and love, as they walk on the path of unceasing hell, and instead, protect your people, akin to those who rear children. The land surely needs your grace and is hard to obtain!”
Time to appreciate the details within this relatively smaller song of Puranaanooru. The poet employs a stack of similes to describe the king’s domain. He first talks of buffaloes only to call to the mind smooth boulders in black shades. After pointing out to these black boulders, the poet relates how elephants graze amidst these rocks, akin to cattle grazing on pastures. Could it mean that these powerful giants have been tamed like cattle and kept under the protection of the king? The poet then spells out the nature of such a land calling it a forest country. Any ruler who has forest lands is someone powerful indeed for enemies cannot pierce that territory with ease.
Adding that since the king rules such a powerful, protected country, he must be aware of something, and that is to avoid the loveless people who walk on the path of hell. By this, the poet means that the king should surround himself with people, who are full of kindness and thoughtfulness. After saying what the king should not do, the poet goes on to say what he should do, which is to protect the people in his nation like how parents care for their children. The poet concludes saying that such a land and people are hard to find and since the king is so blessed, he must render his grace upon his land!
The highlight of this little verse is the parallel between parents raising their children and a king ruling his subjects. There’s a noble and deep thought in that simile. Parents bring children into this world and children are these helpless beings, who need to be cared for, up to a certain age. As much as there is joy in being parents, inherently there should be a sense of duty towards these lives. And it’s this core of duty that the poet extracts and uses for his words of advice to this Chera king, who is blessed with prosperous lands, and who, in turn, has the duty of rendering a caring and thoughtful reign to his people! With such poets to advise, no doubt these ancient kings were beacons of virtue. Be it in any sphere of life, those in the top have more experience and they are often called to guide newcomers to their domain. Now, isn’t the metaphor of parenting an excellent one to emulate, not just for this ancient Chera king, but for all people in the upper echelons of power?
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