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In this episode, we perceive a significant event in the battlefield, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 76, penned about the Pandya King Thalaiyaalankaanathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan by the poet Idaikundroor Kizhaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Vaagai Thinai’ or ‘King’s victory’ and describes the unparalleled achievement of this ruler.
ஒருவனை ஒருவன் அடுதலும், தொலைதலும்,
புதுவது அன்று; இவ் உலகத்து இயற்கை;
இன்றின் ஊங்கோ கேளலம் திரள் அரை
மன்ற வேம்பின் மாச் சினை ஒண் தளிர்
நெடுங் கொடி உழிஞைப் பவரொடு மிடைந்து,
செறியத் தொடுத்த தேம் பாய் கண்ணி,
ஒலியல் மாலையொடு, பொலியச் சூடி,
பாடு இன் தெண் கிணை கறங்க, காண்தக,
நாடு கெழு திருவின், பசும் பூண் செழியன்
பீடும் செம்மலும் அறியார் கூடி,
‘பொருதும்’ என்று தன்தலை வந்த
புனை கழல் எழுவர் நல் வலம் அடங்க,
ஒரு தான் ஆகிப் பொருது களத்து அடலே.
Yet another song referring to the battle at Thalaiyaalankaanam! This one dwells on the ‘never before’ aspect of this event. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“For one man to attack another and defeat him is nothing new; It’s something natural in this world; But here is something that we have never heard of before: Wearing strands of radiant leaves from the big branch of the thick-trunked neem tree at the town centre along with long stalks of balloon vines tied together, a well-stitched, honey-fragrant head garland and a luxuriant neck garland, having a luminescent appearance, as musically melodious clear drums strike, pleasing to the eyes, appears the gold-clad Chezhian, possessor of immense wealth in his nation. Not realising his might and skill, the ignorant seven, wearing warrior anklets, got together and said to themselves, ‘let’s battle with him’. Subduing their great strength, as one man, he destroyed them all on the battlefield!”
Let’s delve into what the poet has to say about this Pandya king and his victory! He starts by making a generic statement about the ways of the world, talking about how one man attacking another and making him submit is nothing new. A revelation of the sad fact that humans warring against each other was a common, taken-for-granted thing even two thousand years ago. Returning to the poet’s stance, we find him now talking about something that is indeed new, never ever has it happened in the memory of their history. From these abstractions, he goes on to describe the appearance of this king Nedunchezhiyan in the battlefield. We see long strands of neem leaves and balloon vines around his head. A moment to pause and note the significance of these two plants. Both have immense medicinal value and that the king is setting out on his work of battling enemies with these around his head tells us he is well-prepared to face the blood and wounds on the field. When we get back to the poet’s words, we see him now talking about a fragrant head garland made of the sweetest flowers and also a glowing neck garland. Moving ahead from these sights and scents, he narrates the sounds that welcome the king into the arena – the resounding beats of ‘Kinai’ drums. And lo, he appears so handsome wearing golden ornaments, echoing the rich wealth of his nation, the poet narrates.
From the king’s dazzling appearance, the poet turns to talk about how seven warrior kings – the Chera, Chozha and five Velir kings – came together and not considering how great and mighty this Pandyan Nedunchezhiyan was, decided that they would join hands and wage war against him. And what did King Chezhiyan do? He stood as a single man in the battlefield and laid to waste the best laid plans of these seven kings! This is the astonishing, unrivalled feat in the history of their world, the poet concludes. Sounds like an entry from the ancient Sangam world for the list of ‘battles won against great odds’. It also reminds me of how people celebrate an unexpected outcome or the unforeseeable rise of the underdog, be it in sports or movies. A theme that probably reflects the rise of this puny mammal called ‘Homo Sapiens’ in the evolution of life on this planet!
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