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In this episode, we listen to the nostalgic words of a person parting away, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 115, penned about the Velir King Vel Paari by the poet Kabilar. Set in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘miscellaneous matters’, the verse talks about the riches of the king’s land.
ஒரு சார் அருவி ஆர்ப்ப, ஒரு சார்
பாணர் மண்டை நிறையப் பெய்ம்மார்,
வாக்க உக்க தேக் கள் தேறல்
கல் அலைத்து ஒழுகும்மன்னே! பல் வேல்,
அண்ணல் யானை, வேந்தர்க்கு
இன்னான் ஆகிய இனியோன் குன்றே.
Another song talking about the then of Paari’s domain. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“On one side, cascades would resound; On another side, filtered, clear, sweet toddy that was poured to fill empty bowls of bards would brim over and flow, scattering stones in its path! Such was the peak of the sweet one, so pleasant to us, but formidable to kings with mighty elephants and many spears!”
Let’s delve into the details herein. The poet brings before our eyes how a cascade would roar aloud on one side, and if you turned in the other direction, there, sweet toddy would overflow from the vessels of supplicants and rush like a wild river, sweeping away stones in its path. Such was the state of the peak ruled over by this king, so friendly to people like him but so fearsome to others like kings, who sought to attack the land with their elephants and spears, the poet concludes.
A song symbolising dualities! In one direction, there’s flowing waters of a cascade signifying the natural fertility of the land, and from another direction, flowing toddy granted to supplicants indicating the wealth of the king. The poet also mentions how the king was so agreeable to them but so terrifying to enemy kings. That image of a drink flowing with such volume and intensity that it sweeps away stones in its path, made me think of the phrase ‘the land where milk and honey flowed’, a statement to talk about the wealth of a place. Here, this is literally pictured in these words of the poet. Curious how what meant prosperity then seems to be an offer of food and drink without bounds to those who came seeking!
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