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In this episode, we perceive the king’s vast generosity, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 130, penned about the Velir King Aay Andiran by the poet Uraiyoor Enicheri Mudamosiyaar. Set in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘King’s praise’, the verse employs the emotion of awe to portray the nature of this king.
விளங்கு மணிக் கொடும் பூண் ஆஅய்! நின் நாட்டு
இளம் பிடி ஒரு சூல் பத்து ஈனும்மோ?
நின்னும் நின்மலையும் பாடி வருநர்க்கு,
இன் முகம் கரவாது, உவந்து நீ அளித்த
அண்ணல் யானை எண்ணின், கொங்கர்க்
குட கடல் ஓட்டிய ஞான்றைத்
தலைப்பெயர்த்திட்ட வேலினும் பலவே!
Another song that sketches the duality in the king’s nature. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“O King Aay, adorned with curving ornaments glowing with sapphires! Does the young female elephant in your country give birth to ten calves in one pregnancy? To those who sing of you and your hills, without turning away your pleasant face, with affection, you render esteemed elephants many. If one were to count that, it would be more than the spears thrown away by those scattering Kongars, when you routed them in war and chased them to the western sea!”
Let’s delve deeper into the verse! The poet starts by mentioning the rich ornaments around King Aay’s neck. He then puts an amazed question to the king asking if miraculously in this country, the elephants had the habit of giving birth to ten calves in one go. The reason for this amazement is because the poet has witnessed this ruler, giving away a huge number of elephants to supplicants. He adds that these elephants are so many in number that they are surely more than the spears abandoned by enemy Kongar soldiers, who were driven towards the western sea!
Yet again, the poet has employed his favourite themes of counting, comparing and presenting both compassion and courage as a package! An interesting fact about elephant birth is that rarely do elephants have more than one calf. Statistics say less than 1% have twins and even these young ones do not survive for more than a few weeks. Consider the plight of the female elephant that has the longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom of 22 months. Even imagining what the poet asks the king is mind-boggling from the perspective of this gentle giant. As all Sangam poets seem to be, no doubt this poet knew very well about the nature of elephants to have one calf only. But his surprise at the number of elephants being donated away is brought out in this exaggerated question. Similar to the poet’s emotion, I too am amazed at the number of creative ways have invented, all just to praise a patron!
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