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In this episode, we perceive a symbolic transformation of power, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 40, penned about the Chozha King Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan by the poet Avoor Moolankizhaar. Set in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘king’s praise’, the verse renders words of advice to bring forever fame to the name of this Chozha king.
நீயே, பிறர் ஓம்புறு மற மன் எயில்
ஓம்பாது கடந்து அட்டு, அவர்
முடி புனைந்த பசும் பொன் நின்
அடி பொலியக் கழல் தைஇய
வல்லாளனை; வய வேந்தே!
யாமே, நின், இகழ் பாடுவோர் எருத்து அடங்க,
புகழ் பாடுவோர் பொலிவு தோன்ற,
இன்று கண்டாங்குக் காண்குவம் என்றும்
இன்சொல் எண் பதத்தை ஆகுமதி பெரும!
ஒரு பிடி படியும் சீறிடம்
எழு களிறு புரக்கும் நாடு கிழவோயே!
A short song celebrating the protagonist of the recent series – Killivalavan! The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“As for you, without sparing their strong and well-protected forts, you attack and win over your enemies. And then, from the fresh gold of their crowns, you make warrior anklets to adorn your feet. Such is your prowess, O powerful king!
As for us, we see how those who sing ill of you, bow their heads in shame, and those who sing well of you, stand up shining. As we see now, we shall see always. And for this, you must be one with sweet words and be easy to approach, O lord, the ruler of a land, where in the space of a single, resting female elephant, food for seven male elephants can be reared!”
Time to delve into the nuances of these words! The poet begins by talking about the actions of the Chozha king at war, by throwing light on the king’s disdain for the protection and strength of enemy fortresses. Without caring about how impregnable these forts are, the king seems to attack them. It’s no futile attack too, for the king ends up making warrior anklets for his feet from the golden crowns on those enemy rulers’ heads, the poet details.
The poet mentions how he sees those who dare to sing with ill-will about the king soon end up hanging their heads in shame, whereas those who celebrate the king, always stand tall and glow with good on their side. Then, he assures that this is a scene not merely of the present but something that is forever. And, for that, the king simply needs to do just one thing and that is to be a man of sweet words and easy approach. Finally, the poet ends with a glorious tribute to how in the space where one female elephant lies, food enough for seven male elephants is to be found in the Chozha country of this king Killivalavan. Funny how there seems to be subtle hint that not only are female elephants smaller in size but also that they are expected to eat less than the male elephant!
Humorous inferences apart, the last line about the crop wealth of the Chozha country hints about the copious flow of the River Cauvery that makes this land so fertile and prosperous. Interesting how a leader is asked to be one of sweet words and be one who is accessible – In other words, a friendly and kind leader, not an aloof and authoritarian one!
As a final reflection, let us focus on the act of the king making anklets for his feet by melting the gold in the crowns of enemy kings. This sounds like a symbolic representation of placing the enemy’s head under the feet of this Chozha king! An image which brought to my mind a piece of treasure discovered in King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt, a pair of sandals made in gold. What’s intriguing is that on those well-etched inner soles, on one of the pairs, there’s an African prisoner engraved, and on the other, an Asiatic prisoner. A similar depiction of Nubians and other enemies were to be seen on the stepping stools of these Egyptian kings also. Curious how this thought of stepping over one’s enemies seem to resonate with a Chozha king from the Sangam era, ruling over the southern portion of the Indian sub-continent, as well as a Pharaoh from the New Kingdom, ruling over the northern portion of the African continent! Human minds seem to show this synchronicity of thought across space and time in many different ways. If only such similarity in thoughts are not for petty things like subduing enemies but rather seeing our oneness, then, instead of stepping on or being stepped upon, all humanity can rise together and stand tall!
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