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In this episode, we perceive the importance accorded to rendering charity, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 313, penned by the poet Mangudi Maruthanaar. Set in the category of ‘Vaagai Thinai’ or ‘Victory’, the verse reveals the trust in the generosity of a king.
அத்தம் நண்ணிய நாடு கெழு பெருவிறல்
கைப் பொருள் யாதொன்றும் இலனே; நச்சிக்
காணிய சென்ற இரவல் மாக்கள்
களிறொடு நெடுந் தேர் வேண்டினும், கடவ;
உப்பு ஒய் சாகாட்டு உமணர் காட்ட
கழி முரி குன்றத்து அற்றே,
எள் அமைவு இன்று, அவன் உள்ளிய பொருளே.
Occupational events are called to explain the intention of a king in this verse. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“The strong leader of a land to which many drylands paths lead to, may not have any wealth in hand. However, if supplicants, who have arrived to see him with hope, ask for elephants and tall chariots, he’s bound to give them; Akin to a mound, which stands by the waves of the backwaters, from which salt has been carried away in carts by salt merchants, his intention to render charity to those who seek is not to be underestimated!”
Let’s delve into the details. The poet starts by describing the land of a king as a place to which many drylands paths lead to. Let’s take a moment to ponder on the significance of this comment. In countless poems, we have seen how a journey is undertaken through these drylands so as to seek wealth. This poem implies that this king’s land was so strategically located, such that it was the destination of seekers from many directions. After describing the location of the land, the poet reveals that even so, the king doesn’t seem to have any wealth at hand. But whenever people come to him seeking elephants and chariots, he would feel it as his duty to render it to them. To describe how this king will be true to his intention to render unto others, the poet calls in the simile of a salt mound by the backwaters. Even though salt merchants carry away salt in huge carts from this mound, one knows it can be trusted to keep providing for long. Likewise, the king too can be trusted to provide for those who come seeking to him, the poet concludes.
The hidden meaning here is that even though the king may not have wealth ready in hand to render unto others, he would make war with his enemies and bring their wealth into the hands of his supplicants. Although the intention at the beginning seems to be noble for it is to give unto others, later this leads to conflict and ruin. Why this compulsion in those times to render charity by any means whatsoever? Was this the reality or the imagined expression of these poets, who are the ones seeking wealth for their arts? Questions to ponder upon to understand the past and pursue the right paths in the future!
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