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In this episode, we perceive a subtle technique of persuasion, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 358, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. The verse is situated amidst the lush springs of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and presents the hidden danger in the present situation.
நீலத்து அன்ன நிறம் கிளர் எருத்தின்,
காமர் பீலி, ஆய் மயில் தோகை
இன் தீம் குரல துவன்றி, மென் சீர்
ஆடு தகை எழில் நலம் கடுப்பக் கூடி,
கண் நேர் இதழ, தண் நறுங் குவளைக்
குறுந் தொடர் அடைச்சிய நறும் பல் கூழை
நீடு நீர் நெடுஞ் சுனை ஆயமொடு ஆடாய்,
உயங்கிய மனத்தையாகி, புலம்பு கொண்டு,
இன்னை ஆகிய நின் நிறம் நோக்கி,
அன்னை வினவினள்ஆயின், அன்னோ!
என் என உரைக்கோ யானே துன்னிய
பெரு வரை இழிதரும் நெடு வெள் அருவி,
ஓடை யானை உயர் மிசை எடுத்த
ஆடு கொடி கடுப்ப தோன்றும்
கோடு உயர் வெற்பன் உறீஇய நோயே?
In this trip to the highlands, we get to see the characteristic beauty of this domain, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, pretending not to notice the man listening nearby but making sure he’s in earshot:
“Akin to peacocks, having a radiant plume, shining sapphire-like neck, exquisite feathers, and sweet, pleasant voices, which have gathered together, and dance, with a gentle grace and rhythmic beauty, along with your playmates, you, having eyes, akin to the petals of the cool and fragrant blue lily, and fragrant, thick tresses tied with short garlands, do not seem to play in the deep waters of the spring. Looking at this state of yours, caused by a languishing heart, filled with loneliness, if mother were to question me, Alas! What am I to say to her, about this affliction rendered unto you, by the lord of the soaring peaks, with tall, white cascades that descend down from the mountain, appearing akin to a swaying flag, atop an elephant with an ornamented forehead?”
Time to take the mountain trek! The confidante starts by talking about how the lady seemed to have no interest in playing and swimming with her mates in the rich springs around, in the manner of dancing peacocks. She observes how the lady has turned pale with loneliness and worry assailing her heart. The confidante concludes by wondering aloud what she was to do if Mother were to observe these changes in the lady and query her about it, when the cause of that affliction was the lord of the mountain, whose domain she describes by comparing the falling cascade from a mountain to a fluttering flag atop an elephant.
This is to warn the listening man of the danger of discovery and the painful state the lady is in, when he leaves her after his trysting. It’s that familiar nudge from this friend to the man to give up his temporary trysting and seek the permanent path of happiness. The thought that stayed with me is how a normal and happy state of the lady has been sketched as her joyful play with her friends, and the absence of which has visible effects on her health. Like the man who receives that subtle message, we too are sent that little word about the importance of play from the pages of the past!
