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In this episode, we perceive an interesting technique of celebrating a king, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 12, penned about the Pandya King Palyaakasaalai Muthukudumi Peruvazhuthi by the poet Nettimaiyaar. Set in the category of ‘Paadan Thinai’ or ‘praise of a king’, the verse brings out the duality in a king’s personality.
பாணர் தாமரை மலையவும், புலவர்
பூ நுதல் யானையொடு புனை தேர் பண்ணவும்,
அறனோ மற்று இது விறல் மாண் குடுமி!
இன்னா ஆகப் பிறர் மண் கொண்டு,
இனிய செய்தி, நின் ஆர்வலர் முகத்தே?
A poem so small that makes you wonder if you have wandered into the ‘Kurunthogai’ section of Sangam Literature! On looking closer, it is indeed Puranaanooru for this is the second song penned by this poet in celebration of the Pandya king Muthukudumi. The words of this poet can be translated as follows:
“You make it possible for singers to wear golden lotuses and bards to climb atop well-decorated chariots and flower-headed elephants. Is this an act of honour, O esteemed and powerful Kudumi? Spreading suffering, you win over the lands of others, and then render sweetness to those who come seeking to you!”
Time to unravel the mystery in this tiny song on a king’s character! The poet starts by showing us an image of singers wearing lotuses made of gold and the songwriters or bards standing beside well-decked chariots and ornamented elephants. Revealing the donor of these expensive rewards, the poet brings to spotlight, the Pandya king Muthukudumi. In the previous Puranaanooru song, we saw how a Chera king gave the singers in his court, a golden lotus sculpted in the fire, tied around with a silver string. Here it’s a Pandya king in the neighbouring territory, doing the same for the singers in his court, and much more for his bards, in the form of chariots and elephants. This makes me want to ask, what would that bard do with an elephant? For sure, they will not have the means to feed this gentle giant for a long time, given they earn their living with words. Was there a second hand shop for selling these hard to maintain king’s gifts?
Returning from this amusing pondering, we see the poet put forth a question to the king asking him if what he’s doing is fair. To clarify this question, the poet points out to how on one side the king plunders and destroys his enemies thoroughly, wins over their lands and forts, and on the other side, he makes those who come seeking to him prosper by rendering unto them the best and sweetest of things. Two varying elements of the king’s nature is illustrated here – One half is the hardness of heart to bring ruin to his foes, and the other, the softness of heart to render charity to his followers!
Though the poem highlights the exact same elements of courage and compassion in a patron king as the other Sangam poems we have seen thus far, what’s interesting here, is the style of presenting these elements with a question, ‘Is this right?’. In a tone of admonishment, the verse delivers praise. As if scolding a king, the poet ends up praising him. A moment to applaud the subtle creativity of this poet for this spark of a difference in celebrating a king!
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