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In this episode, we perceive the sense of honour in a king, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 65, penned about the Chera King Peruncheralathan by the poet Kazhaathalaiyaar. Set in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘miscellaneous matters’, the verse talks about the despair of a nation because of a king’s fateful decision.
மண் முழா மறப்ப, பண் யாழ் மறப்ப,
இருங் கண் குழிசி கவிழ்ந்து இழுது மறப்ப,
சுரும்பு ஆர் தேறல் சுற்றம் மறப்ப,
உழவர் ஓதை மறப்ப, விழவும்
அகலுள் ஆங்கண் சீறூர் மறப்ப,
உவவுத் தலைவந்த பெரு நாள் அமையத்து,
இரு சுடர் தம்முள் நோக்கி, ஒரு சுடர்
புன்கண் மாலை மலை மறைந்தாங்கு,
தன் போல் வேந்தன் முன்பு குறித்து எறிந்த
புறப் புண் நாணி, மறத் தகை மன்னன்
வாள் வடக்கிருந்தனன்; ஈங்கு,
நாள் போல் கழியல, ஞாயிற்றுப் பகலே.
An emotional song about this Chera king. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Mud-streaked drums are forgotten; Musical lutes are forgotten; Wide pots are upturned and the churning of butter is forgotten; Kinsmen have forgotten the bee-swarming sweet nectar; Farmers have forgotten their ploughing; Festivities are forgotten in the small towns with wide streets; Akin to how when the full moon rises, and both flames glance at each other, making one of them disappear amidst the hills on that angst-filled evening, feeling ashamed about a wound on his back, which came about when a king like him threw a forceful spear on his front making it exit on his back, the courageous king now sits with his sword, facing North; And so, days for us won’t be days of sun anymore!”
Time to explore the details herein! The poet begins by listing all the things that are lying forgotten and these would be royal drums, coated with mud, and the lutes that render much melody. From music, the poet’s attention turns to food and he details how the churning pots are lying scattered forgetting their day to day work of making butter, and so also groups of families have forgotten their drink of bee-buzzing, sweet toddy. And all memories of festivities have been forgotten in the towns as well, the poet adds. What is the reason for such a sad and helpless state of affairs? To tell us, the poet brings in a simile of how when the moon rises, at the moment, the sun and the moon glance at each other, it seems as if the powerful sun is running away behind the hills when evening befalls. Just like that, this great Chera king, has now decided to end his life and sits facing the North without any food or water. If we gently probe and ask why he has taken such a decision, the poet points to a wound on the king’s back. Receiving a wound on one’s back was considered a dishonourable thing for a king, for it would mean that the king retreated showing his back to his enemies. However, this king’s wound is not because he retreated so but because his opponent pierced a spear through his chest, with so much force that it made a wound on the king’s back. But the king does not want any relaxation of the warrior’s doctrine and so he decides to end his life to end that mark of dishonour. The poet concludes saying that’s why days won’t be days for all the people of that land anymore.
A poem that vividly illustrates the importance of bravery in the battlefield for a king. No one should ever mistake them for being weak or giving up, was their perspective! Honour even above one’s life seems to be their motto. When everyone around knows the truth, why should the king give up his life? In the end, it’s attaching too much importance to one’s label as a warrior, and taking part in that war, which in the end, is nothing but an exercise in futility!
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