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In this episode, we perceive the importance of a king to his country, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 186, penned by the poet Mosi Keeranaar. Set in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘Common Themes’, the verse talks about the true life of a land.
நெல்லும் உயிர் அன்றே; நீரும் உயிர் அன்றே;
மன்னன் உயிர்த்தே மலர் தலை உலகம்:
அதனால், யான் உயிர் என்பது அறிகை
வேல் மிகு தானை வேந்தற்குக் கடனே.
A tiny song with a single focus. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“It’s not paddy that is life to people; It’s not even water that is life to people; The life of this wide world is the king; And so, to understand that he is the very life to his people, is the duty of a king with an army wielding spears many!”
Time to take another look at these words. The poet starts by saying normally you would think it’s food that gives life to people but that is not true. Then, it’s not even water that is like life to people, adds the poet. What instead is like the life of the land is the king himself, and this is what a warring king with spear-wielding soldiers should realise above all else, the poet concludes!
Simple words to show a king his most essential duty. You may think that all you have to do is to keep fighting battle after battle with your fight-hungry soldiers. But beyond all that, you are the very life of your people, forget that not, says this poet to a king. The objective of these words is not to praise the king or to cater to his ego but instead it’s to evoke a sense of duty in the ruler towards his subjects. ‘So much depends on you, and so be aware and act appropriately’, seems to be this ancient call to action to leaders everywhere, from across space and time!
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