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In this episode, we perceive a metaphor for leadership, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 185, penned by a Velir King Thondaimaan Ilanthiraiyan. Set in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘Common Themes’, the king renders his words of wisdom with visual imagery.
கால் பார் கோத்து, ஞாலத்து இயக்கும்
காவற் சாகாடு உகைப்போன் மாணின்,
ஊறு இன்றாகி ஆறு இனிது படுமே;
உய்த்தல் தேற்றானாயின், வைகலும்,
பகைக் கூழ் அள்ளற் பட்டு,
மிகப் பல் தீ நோய் தலைத்தலைத் தருமே.
A tiny song with a substantial core of philosophy. The poet of this verse is a king named Ilanthiraiyan, who has penned Aham songs in Natrinai. His words can be translated as follows:
“In this world, the cart that protects, having wheels linked with axles, will move pleasantly on the path ahead without any trouble, if the one who wields it is skilful. However, if he’s not skilled enough, day after day, it will roll in the slushy mud of enmity, and cause many different, terrible afflictions ceaselessly!”
Let’s take a deeper look at these words. The king brings before our eyes a cart with strong wheels held in place by sturdy axles. He then says if the one driving it has the necessary skill, the ride will be free of trouble. If that skill is absent, the cart is in for one bumpy ride, falling into a many a pit of slush and enduring endless trouble, he concludes. We know the king’s not just talking about a random fact about a cart, but concealing a deeper truth because he uses the words ‘in this world’ and ‘the cart that protects’. This tells us he’s referring to a greater thing, and that is, governance. When the ruler is knowledgeable and proficient at what he does, then the people are in for a smooth ride. If not, they are going to end up in the pit of enmity and opposition, and face troubles plenty, he means. On our part, we can project this further and gain a relevant lesson on the criticality of skill and expertise in leaders, no matter if they are at the helm of a company or a country!
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