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In this episode, we perceive an apt simile that reflects the situation at hand, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 218, penned about the Chozha king Koperunchozhan and the poet Pisiraanthaiyaar by the poet Kannakanaar. Set in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘Common Themes’, the verse celebrates the devotion and friendship of this famous duo.
பொன்னும், துகிரும், முத்தும், மன்னிய
மா மலை பயந்த காமரு மணியும்,
இடைபடச் சேய ஆயினும், தொடை புணர்ந்து,
அரு விலை நன் கலம் அமைக்கும்காலை,
ஒரு வழித் தோன்றியாங்கு என்றும் சான்றோர்
சான்றோர் பாலர் ஆப;
சாலார் சாலார் பாலர் ஆகுபவே.
A crisp verse that arises when Poet Pisiraanthaiyaar joins King Koperunchozhan in giving up his life facing north. Poet Kannakanaar observes this miraculous event of two friends, originally separated by a kingdom and a great distance, coming together, and renders these words:
“Gold, coral, pearl, and the desirable sapphire, which is rendered by the immovable huge mountain, are separated by great distances, but they are tied as one, when a precious, fine jewel is to be made, appearing as if they were born together. Akin to that, the wise will always be found in the company of the wise; And, the foolish will always be found in the company of the foolish!”
Let’s delve into the words here. The poet starts by remarking how although gold, coral, pearl and sapphires come from different regions such as river beds, coastal regions, ocean floor and mountains, which are separated by huge distances, when a jeweller decides to make a precious ornament, all these different gems are woven together, giving the appearance that these were born together and never apart. Exactly like that, it is the tendency of wise people to seek the company of the wise and that of the ignoble to seek the company of the ignoble, the poet concludes.
The coming together of precious elements reminded me of an oft-used English proverb – ‘Birds of feather flock together’. That these precious elements have been casually used in a poetic reference talks about the riches that were abundant in ancient Tamil land. In a tangent, the verse also seems to subtly nudge us to choose our company with much care, for the world will inevitably judge us by whom we associate ourselves with!
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