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In this episode, we delve into an intricate and eloquent thought about a king, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 107, penned about the Velir King Vel Paari by the poet Kabilar. Set in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘King’s praise’, the verse brings out the greatness of the monarch in a unique manner.
‘பாரி பாரி’ என்று பல ஏத்தி,
ஒருவற் புகழ்வர், செந் நாப் புலவர்;
பாரி ஒருவனும் அல்லன்;
மாரியும் உண்டு, ஈண்டு உலகு புரப்பதுவே.
A tiny song with a surprising twist. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“‘Paari, Paari’, they sing praises of one man – those articulate poets!
Paari is not the only one;
There’s another too, to protect this world – The rain!”
Let’s delve into the nuances of this delightful little poem. The poet talks about how many, many poets, fluent with their words, keep praising King Paari to the skies. Then, he stuns the audience by declaring, Paari is not the only great one. When everyone around would fume wondering, ‘Is he going to talk about another great king?’, ‘What does he mean?’, ‘How dare he say that?’, the poet calmly ends with a reply, ‘Have you forgotten that the rain too exists to nurture and protect this world?’
With a few words, by first seemingly putting down the king and then twisting the story, the poet ends up conferring the greatest praise on the king by elevating him to be equal in nature to that life-sustaining element on earth. A verse that inspires me to conclude with the words:
In a line
of an ancient Tamil poem,
a Japanese haiku waits!
Fantastic
Thanks a lot.