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In this episode, we understand the importance accorded to penance, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 358, penned by the poet Vanmikiyaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Kaanji Thinai’ or ‘Defence’ and talks about the greatness of an ascetic life.
பருதி சூழ்ந்த இப் பயம் கெழு மா நிலம்
ஒரு பகல் எழுவர் எய்தியற்றே;
வையமும் தவமும் தூக்கின், தவத்துக்கு
ஐயவி அனைத்தும் ஆற்றாது ஆகலின்,
கைவிட்டனரே காதலர்; அதனால்
விட்டோரை விடாஅள், திருவே;
விடாஅதோர் இவள் விடப்பட்டோரே.
Abstract elements abound in this one. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Enveloped by sunlight, is this great land of purpose. It has a nature such that it may be ruled by seven rulers within the span of a day. If you were to compare this earth entire and penance, the earth would turn out to be a mere mustard seed. And so, those who love penance have given up wealth, but the goddess of fortune will never abandon them; Whereas those who do not give up wealth will be abandoned by her.”
Let’s explore the nuances. The poet talks about this beneficial land basking in the rays of the sun. He makes a cryptic comment that its nature is such that it could be ruled by seven people in a single day, and thereby implies that kings come and go, and no one can last forever. Then, the poet turns to talk about penance, and to do that, he compares that with the earth entire, and in his estimation, earth is a mere handful of mustard seeds, and pales in comparison to penance. And finally he moves to the most complex part of the verse, saying that the goddess of good fortune favours only those who have given up earthly desires and never those who clamour after it. It’s an ironic truth that wealth and joy does not come the way of those who seek it relentlessly but only to those who have no desire for it. This verse made me think of the Buddhist monks and their expressions of deep content, not visible even on the faces of the richest of the rich on earth.
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