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In this episode, we listen to a striking request from a poet, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 145, penned about the Velir King Vaiyaavi Koperum Bekan by the poet Paranar. Set in the category of ‘Perunthinai’ or ‘Inappropriate love’, the verse stresses on the rightful course of action by this king.
‘மடத் தகை மா மயில் பனிக்கும்’ என்று அருளி,
படாஅம் ஈத்த கெடாஅ நல் இசை,
கடாஅ யானைக் கலி மான் பேக!
பசித்தும் வாரேம்; பாரமும் இலமே;
களங்கனி அன்ன கருங் கோட்டுச் சீறியாழ்
நயம் புரிந்து உறையுநர் நடுங்கப் பண்ணி,
‘அறம் செய்தீமோ, அருள் வெய்யோய்!’ என,
இஃது யாம் இரந்த பரிசில்: அஃது இருளின்,
இன மணி நெடுந் தேர் ஏறி,
இன்னாது உறைவி அரும் படர் களைமே!
After narrating the situation involving the crying lady, Paranar reveals what is expected from the king. His words can be translated as follows:
“Thinking, ‘The delicate-natured dark peacock would shiver in the cold’, with grace, you rendered your shawl unto it, and attained unceasing fame, O Bekan, possessor of raging elephants and racing horses! I come here not because of my hunger or the plight of my kith and kin; As the sound rises from this dark-stemmed small lute, akin to a conkerberry, inevitably making those who appreciate its beauty sway in its music, I say to you, ‘Do the right thing. Render your grace’. There is but one gift I seek from you, and that is, when darkness falls, for you to climb on your tall chariot ringing with bells and go thither to weed out the deep suffering of your sorrowful wife!”
Let’s take a closer look at the poet’s message. He starts by highlighting the famous story of how Bekan gave away his shawl to a peacock deciding that it was shivering because of the cold. Then, he goes on to describe the elements of battle that Bekan shines in, such as his elephants and horses. After addressing the king so, the poet declares it’s not hunger or the need to provide for his relatives that brings him to the king’s court. This is unusual because we always hear poets talking about how impoverished they and their kith and kin are, always seeking the patronage of a monarch to end their plight. So, why is the poet here?
Before he gets to that, he describes how a bard plays his small lute shaped so much like a conkerberry, making everyone listening to it to be lost in its music and swaying to it – something we, of the twenty-first century can understand too. The instruments and the sounds they make may have changed but that trance-like effect of music seems to live on timelessly. Returning, we hear the poet say that as the music plays, he has something to say to the king and that is a request for the king to be righteous and gracious. Without further ado, the poet comes to crux of the situation and concludes saying that all he wants as a gift for his skill is for the king to climb on his chariot and go end the suffering of the king’s wife!
Here is the reveal that the crying lady, who was talking about King Bekan seeking another, is none other than the king’s wife. The Tamil term used to denote this is ‘உறைவி’ or ‘one who resides along’, showing that the Tamils considered the rightful companion for a man to live along with was none other than his wife. The other stunning highlight of this verse is in the way the poet begins his request, by first illustrating the kind and thoughtful nature of this king with the story of the peacock and the shawl. ‘You are someone whose heart melts at the perceived suffering of a bird. Surely, you can find the kindness in your heart for your beloved!’, the poet seems to say to the king. Finally, the poem shines with glory because of that request within that seeks not to elevate one’s own wealth but to end the suffering of another!
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