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In this episode, we listen to an effective consolation, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 143, penned by Madurai Kanakkaayanaar Makanaar Nakkeeranaar. Set in the mountains of ‘Kurinji’, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, conveying words of positivity about the man’s return.
அழியல்-ஆயிழை!-அன்பு பெரிது உடையன்;
பழியும் அஞ்சும், பய மலை நாடன்;
நில்லாமையே நிலையிற்று ஆகலின்,
நல் இசை வேட்ட நயனுடை நெஞ்சின்
கடப்பாட்டாளனுடைப் பொருள் போலத்
தங்குதற்கு உரியது அன்று, நின்
அம் கலுழ் மேனிப் பாஅய பசப்பே.
‘It is not permanent’ says this verse. In the opening words ‘அழியல்-ஆயிழை’ meaning ‘Cry not, O bejewelled maiden’, we understand that assurance is the motive here. When I read ‘நில்லாமையே நிலையிற்று ஆகலின்’, I was stunned by its similarity to an oft-quoted saying – ‘Change is the only constant’. Today, I learnt that this English equivalent comes from the words of a Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who lived around 500 BCE. Here’s a Tamil poet characterising the nature of change almost word to word to what his contemporary was saying in another part of the world. It makes me think we realise so little of cross influences in the ancient world. Next, we encounter another modern concept in the noun ‘கடப்பாட்டாளன்’, which means ‘a socially responsible man’ and we’ll discuss more on that shortly. The theme of the verse mentioned earlier is most evident in ‘தங்குதற்கு உரியது அன்று’ meaning ‘it is not fit to stay’. While we wonder what that might be, the verse ends with the words ‘பாஅய பசப்பே’ meaning ‘the pallor of pining that spreads’ and invites us to explore more.
Impermanence and change echoes over and over in this verse. The context reveals that the man and lady had been leading a love relationship when the man had to part from the lady to earn wealth for their wedding. At this time, the lady languished, missing her beloved. To the lady, the confidante says, “Worry not, O maiden decked with exquisite jewels! He’s filled with immense love. The lord of the valuable mountains fears blame too. As the state of transition is the only unchanging thing, akin to the wealth of those who wish for good fame, those who have a generous heart and those who wish to be of service to society, it will not stay with you – that pallor of pining that spreads now on your beautiful skin.” With these words, the confidante assures the lady that the man would return soon and drive away the pallor that spreads on the lady.
How exactly does the confidante convince the pining lady? She starts with simple words asking her friend to fret not. After that, she goes on to describe the man’s nature. Calling him the lord of the prosperous mountains, she says he’s someone who has a great love for the lady, and not just that, he fears the blame that would fall on him. What blame is the confidante talking about? That would be the blame of any harm coming to the lady, because he did not keep his promise of returning to her. With this portrait, the confidante establishes the man as a loving and responsible person. Then, the confidante hints at the core philosophy of the Sangam people saying that change is the only unchanging thing. As those who are wise would realise this truth, they would seek only a good name and do all things in life with kindness in their heart. She calls such people as ‘socially responsible’, a term we saw earlier. This reminded me of the concept of ‘corporate social responsibility’ or ‘CSR’ as it is affectionately called in business circles, wherein rich corporations all over the world take upon themselves to do more for the societies in which they live in. Here, two thousand years ago, much before the principles of economics was expounded, the ancients seem to have understood the need to give away what you earn. Returning, we see the confidante mentioning how the wealth of these socially responsible people does not stay with them, for they give it away to those who come seeking. And, like that, your pallor of pining too, will fade away from that radiant skin of yours, the confidante tells her friend.
The pallor that spreads on you now has no permanent place, the good friend declares! To render substance unto her argument, the confidante focuses on the individual, the man from the mountains, first, and sketches his good character. He will surely return in time is the promise hidden in this portrait of the man. Then, she moves on to that unique simile connecting the wealth of a socially responsible person and the pallor of pining. Both have no permanent place in the lives of those who possess them. On one side of the simile is the deep understanding of the philosophy of giving to those in need and on the other side of the simile smiles the compassionate assurance to a friend in need. The Sangam people seemed to have earned wealth not to hoard or save for future generations but to give away and they seem to have taken it for granted that this wealth is not meant to last, and that was their path to external fame and internal satisfaction. Yet again, the verse illustrates the elevated notions of ancient Tamils about the impermanence of wealth and the lasting joys of generosity!
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