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In this episode, we perceive a bitter-sweet moment in the life of a mother, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 277, penned by the poet Poonkan Uthiraiyaar. Set in the category of ‘Thumbai Thinai’ or ‘Battle of two kings’, the verse depicts a deep and moving feeling.
‘மீன் உண் கொக்கின் தூவி அன்ன
வால் நரைக் கூந்தல் முதியோள் சிறுவன்
களிறு எறிந்து பட்டனன்’ என்னும் உவகை
ஈன்ற ஞான்றினும் பெரிதே; கண்ணீர்
நோன் கழை துயல்வரும் வெதிரத்து
வான் பெயத் தூங்கிய சிதரினும் பலவே.
Few lines encompassing an enormous emotion. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“With greying white hair, akin to a fish-eating stork’s feathers, appears this old woman. Hearing that her son killed an elephant and perished, the joy she felt was more than what she had felt on the day she had given birth to him; Her tear drops were more in number than the drops waiting to fall from the hanging, swaying leaves of the sturdy bamboos soaked by the sky’s downpour!”
Let’s delve into the details. The poet starts by describing an old lady said to have white hair that’s like the feathers of a stork. He reveals this lady is the mother of a brave warrior, who fought in the battle of two kings and killed an elephant that came pouncing at him. However, this soldier passed away in that war. Hearing the bravery of her son, the old mother felt more joy than the day she birthed him, the poet adds and concludes by quantifying that emotion saying that the tears of joy that fell from her eyes were more than the drops that would fall from the leaves in a bamboo forest after being drenched in a heavy rain!
After reading this verse, anyone who knows even a little of Thirukkural would be reminded of the couplet:
‘ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச்
சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்.’
A couplet which succinctly says that the moment a mother hears that her son is respected as a wise scholar, she would feel more joy than the moment she gave birth to him. The thing to note here is that a mother feels such immense joy the day her child is born as if there can be nothing to match that feeling. These poets imply that beyond that boundless joy, a mother would feel even more on the day she hears that her child is respected and celebrated in this world to which she brought them. This is a poem that brings tears to the eyes when feeling the loss of that mother. However, the mother’s emotion is presented as a happy one because of the pride and respect her son brought to her, by his act of valour. A verse that portrays the purpose of a person, as seen by a proud mother at that moment in the past!
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