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In this episode, we learn of the courage of a king in battle, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 169, penned about the Velir King Pittankotran by the poet Kaaviripoompattinathu Kaari Kannanaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘Praise’ and puts forth a demand to this king.
நும் படை செல்லும்காலை, அவர் படை
எடுத்து எறி தானை முன்னரை எனாஅ,
அவர் படை வரூஉம்காலை, நும் படைக்
கூழை தாங்கிய, அகல் யாற்றுக்
குன்று விலங்கு சிறையின் நின்றனை எனாஅ,
அரிதால், பெரும! நின் செவ்வி என்றும்;
பெரிதால் அத்தை, என் கடும்பினது இடும்பை;
இன்னே விடுமதி பரிசில்! வென் வேல்
இளம் பல் கோசர் விளங்கு படை கன்மார்,
இகலினர் எறிந்த அகல் இலை முருக்கின்
பெரு மரக் கம்பம் போல,
பொருநர்க்கு உலையா நின் வலன் வாழியவே!
A crisp song celebrating this king’s prowess in the battlefield. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“When your army sets out to war, you stand right in the front facing the enemy army attacking with spears; When their army arrives to war, protecting the rear of your forces, you stand blocking the enemy, akin to a hill in the midst of wide river. Owing to all this, it’s rare to be in your presence. O lord! But great is the suffering of my kin, and so, you have render unto me gifts, this very day. Akin to the tall wooden post made of the wide-leaved ‘murukkam’ tree, on which young men of the ‘Kosar’ tribe, renowned for their victorious spears, learn to aim and throw their weapons, may your strength, which never bends to the enemies, live long!”
Let’s delve into the words here. The poet talks about the scenario when the war is initiated by this king. At that time, when their army rides out to battle, he’s there right in the front facing the brunt of enemy spears. Next, he turns to the case when the enemy is attacking this king, even then, it’s the king standing like a mighty hill in the midst of the river of soldiers, protecting his rearguard and blocking the enemy. As that’s the case, the poet says few are the moments the king could spare for the poet. However, highlighting the plight of his kith and kin, the poet requests the king to favour him with gifts right way. Before he concludes, the poet calls upon the famous tribe of Kosars that we have come across in other poems too, known for the integrity of their word, to mention here the tall post made of the Indian Coral tree that is used by the young men of this tribe to practice throwing weapons. The poet concludes with a blessing that the king’s unbending strength must stand tall and live long like that wooden post of the Kosars!
These Kosars must have been highly esteemed then if a wooden post they used is called in to stand as a blessing. The poet seems to be implying that a king is celebrated only if he’s a seasoned warrior facing the thick of the battle. It’s no great honour to strategise in the comfort of your castle, but you win our respect if seen blazing in battle, declares this verse from the ancient world of war and victory!
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