Puranaanooru 317 – Courageous and Compassionate

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In this episode, we learn of the compassionate nature of an unassuming leader, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 317, penned by the poet Vempatroor Kumaranaar. Set in the category of ‘Vaagai Thinai’ or ‘Victory’, the verse sketches the nature of a sleeping hero.

வென் வேல் …………………………… நது
முன்றில் கிடந்த பெருங் களியாற்கு
அதள் உண்டாயினும், பாய் உண்டாயினும்,
யாது உண்டாயினும், கொடுமின் வல்லே;
வேட்கை மீளப
………………கும், எமக்கும், பிறர்க்கும்,
யார்க்கும், ஈய்ந்து, துயில் ஏற்பினனே.

One of those verses with many missing words but containing a vivid portrait in what’s left! The poet’s words can be translated as follows:

“A triumphant spear… For the one lying heavily drunk in the front yard, if you have leather or a mat, whatever you have, please give it speedily. Making one overcome the desire for it… for us, for others, for anyone, he would render endlessly – He, who is fast asleep now!”

Let’s delve into the words here. The poet starts by mentioning a victorious weapon of war. This is followed by missing lines, lost to time, but we can perceive that this would have talked about the courageous nature of the person being depicted. Then, the poet reveals the state of this person now, who seems to be sleeping in a heavy hangover, sounding like a continuation of the previous verse, Puranaanooru 316. 

After pointing to the sleeping person, who is no doubt connected to the valorous spear, the poet asks those around to bring him a leather skin or a mat so that the person lying there could sleep in comfort. He then goes on to tell how that person would always render to everyone around, leaving no one at all, and make sure they want nothing more by his copious rendering of gifts and toddy to their heart’s content. Such is the sleeping leader, the poet concludes. Yet another verse that talks about a leader’s courage in the battlefield and his compassion at home!