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In this episode, we encounter rare elements of inner life involving a king, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 143, penned about the Velir King Vaiyaavi Koperum Bekan by the prolific poet Kabilar. Set in the category of ‘Perunthinai’ or ‘Inappropriate love’, the verse narrates the sadness of a forsaken person.
‘மலை வான் கொள்க!’ என, உயர் பலி தூஉய்,
‘மாரி ஆன்று, மழை மேக்கு உயர்க!’ எனக்
கடவுள் பேணிய குறவர் மாக்கள்,
பெயல் கண்மாறிய உவகையர், சாரல்
புனத் தினை அயிலும் நாட! சினப் போர்க்
கை வள் ஈகைக் கடு மான் பேக!
யார்கொல் அளியள்தானே நெருநல்,
சுரன் உழந்து வருந்திய ஒக்கல் பசித்தென,
குணில் பாய் முரசின் இரங்கும் அருவி
நளி இருஞ் சிலம்பின் சீறூர் ஆங்கண்,
வாயில் தோன்றி, வாழ்த்தி நின்று,
நின்னும் நின் மலையும் பாட, இன்னாது
இகுத்த கண்ணீர் நிறுத்தல் செல்லாள்,
முலையகம் நனைப்ப, விம்மி,
குழல் இனைவதுபோல் அழுதனள், பெரிதே?
In our Puranaanooru explorations, we have most commonly encountered only praises of king’s bravery or charity but here’s a unique scenario, brought to light by Kabilar. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Saying, ‘Let the mountains be embraced by the skies’, they render rich offerings; And when rains pour ceaselessly, they say, ‘Let the rain clouds soar above’. Those mountain dwellers, who worship god, are then filled with joy when the rains stop and they relish millet crops blooming in the slopes of your country, O lord! O Began, the possessor of speedy horses, renowned for your rage in battles and your generosity in charity!
Who might she be, that pitiable lady we came across yesterday? As my companions suffered with hunger after our dreary walk in the drylands, we went towards a little hamlet in the dense mountains, where cascades descend with the sound of drums struck with sticks. There, at the gates, when I saluted and celebrated you and your mountains, she was unable to rein in her tears, which poured down and drenched her bosom, as she whimpered and cried a great deal, akin to the melancholic sound of a flute!”
Let’s take a closer look at the poet’s words. He starts by talking about the tribe of mountain people in the king’s country narrating how first they pray to the gods so that their mountains be blessed with rains and then, when the rains show no sign of stopping, they yet again pray to the gods asking for the rain clouds to be sent above. Seeing this happen, they then, rejoice and celebrate by savouring the rich produce of millets that bloom in the slopes of this king’s domain, the poet details. As is custom, the poet adds words of praise about the king’s bravery in the battlefield and charity back home.
After talking about the land and personality of the king, the poet seemingly shifts gears and talks about some lady that he saw, when at the end of a tiring walk in the drylands along with his kith and kin, the poet went near the gates of a mansion in a little hamlet in the thick mountains that echoed with sound of drums being struck with sticks – that of the cascades rushing down. Here, when he started singing the praises of this king, at that moment, the lady, who appeared at those gates, burst into tears that poured down ceaselessly as she cried like a sorrowful flute, he concludes.
Who could this lady be? Why is she crying on hearing the king’s name? What could be the reason this is being specifically narrated to the king? Instead of seeking instant answers, let’s wait with these questions and see if the mystery unravels in the words of the songs that follow!
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