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In this episode, we listen to celebratory words about a person, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 292, penned by the poet Virichiyoor Nannaakanaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Vanji Thinai’ or ‘Prowess’ and etches a portrait of a quirky character.
வேந்தற்கு ஏந்திய தீம் தண் நறவம்
யாம் தனக்கு உறுமுறை வளாவ, விலக்கி,
‘வாய் வாள் பற்றி நின்றனன்’ என்று,
சினவல் ஓம்புமின், சிறு புல்லாளர்!
ஈண்டே போல வேண்டுவன்ஆயின்,
என் முறை வருக என்னான், கம்மென
எழு தரு பெரும் படை விலக்கி,
ஆண்டும் நிற்கும் ஆண்தகையன்னே.
An interesting song on human nature. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Be not angry, O small-minded men, that before it was his time to receive the sweet and cool toddy prepared for the king, dispersing others, he stood there clutching his sword. Just like now, if he so desires, he wouldn’t wait for his turn to appear there, and with haste, he would disperse a huge and formidable army and rule over those hordes with his impressive manliness!”
Let’s explore the details here. The poet informs us about something that happened in a king’s feast before the battle and the reactions of those gathered there. As we have seen in many previous poems, it was custom for the king to grant toddy and food to inspire his warriors before a fight. Another factor to be understood here is that there was a certain order in which this toddy was granted to the gathered warriors depending on their merit and fame. In this event, even before it was his time to receive that toddy, a particular soldier jumps the line and stands there fiercely clutching his sword. Seeing this, other members get mad at the disrespect shown by him and the poet asks them to calm down and not get furious because just like how that warrior rushed today to receive his toddy of honour, when it’s time to face the enemy army, he will never say, ‘No, my time has not come’ but will hasten to fight and give his all to that battle, for such was his admirable manliness, the poet concludes.
What you all consider as wrong in this gathering will serve him well in the battlefield, the poet implies. To give an equivalent from our times, a person may be exceptionally good at analysing from different angles in their workplace, but at the same time, in their personal life, they may face difficulties because of their overthinking. A succinct way of capturing this theme is that very often our strength is our weakness and our weakness is our strength!
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