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In this episode, we are introduced to an interesting character, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 316, penned by the poet Madurai Kallil Kadaiyathan Vennaakanaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Vaagai Thinai’ or ‘Victory’ and portrays the after-effects of a triumph in a battle.
கள்ளின் வாழ்த்தி, கள்ளின் வாழ்த்தி,
காட்டொடு மிடைந்த சீயா முன்றில்,
நாட் செருக்கு அனந்தர்த் துஞ்சுவோனே.
அவன் எம் இறைவன்; யாம் அவன் பாணர்;
நெருநை வந்த விருந்திற்கு மற்றுத் தன்
இரும் புடைப் பழ வாள் வைத்தனன்; இன்று இக்
கருங் கோட்டுச் சீறியாழ் பணையம்; இது கொண்டு
ஈவதிலாளன் என்னாது, நீயும்,
வள்ளி மருங்குல் வயங்கு இழை அணிய,
கள்ளுடைக் கலத்தேம் யாம் மகிழ் தூங்க,
சென்று வாய் சிவந்து மேல் வருக
சிறு கண் யானை வேந்து விழுமுறவே.
A dual portrait of charity and courage in this one! The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Praising the toddy, praising the toddy, on the unswept front yard filled with the remains of the forest, behold the one, who sleeps with joy at the break of dawn! He is our king and we are his bards. For the feast that happened yesterday, he pledged his ancient, huge sword by his side; I vouch for this with my black-stemmed small lute; And so, don’t think he has nothing more to render unto you. He is sure to gift shining ornaments to your companion with a vine-like waist and make you joyous by extending a vessel brimming with toddy. So, go thither and return with reddened mouths, for the enemy king, who rides atop a small-eyed elephant, has fallen in the field!”
Time to delve into the details. The poet starts by pointing to a person sleeping with a smile on his face in the front yard, which still has not been swept clear of the leaves and dirt from the surrounding forest. He says this person, sleeping in the stupor of the liquor he relished the previous day was his king and that he was his bard. Continuing in the voice of the bard, the poet says how the king was ready to pledge his ancient sword so as to feast with others the previous day and goes on to vouch for the truth of this, on the tool that makes his living – his small lute! Reading the mind of the one listening who might think that the king would not have anything more to render if he’s going about pawning his sword, the bard says he’s sure to give ornaments for the listener’s companion and offer sweet toddy to the listener, who seems to be a bard himself. And the bard concludes by assuring the listening man that he would return with a joyous heart and a reddened mouth because the powerful enemy king has been defeated by this sleeping king!
A verse which portrays the love of Sangam folks for their toddy and their nature of feasting. Sounds like the parties of today’s urban societies! An assurance in the king’s generosity and guidance for a fellow professional seems to be the essence in this song celebrating a victory!
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