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In this episode, we hear about the assurance rendered to supplicants, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 124, penned about the Velir King Malaiyamaan Thirumudi Kaari by the poet Kabilar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘King’s praise’ and talks about the infinite generosity of this ruler.
நாள் அன்று போகி, புள் இடை தட்ப,
பதன் அன்று புக்கு, திறன் அன்று மொழியினும்,
வறிது பெயர்குநர்அல்லர் நெறி கொளப்
பாடு ஆன்று இரங்கும் அருவிப்
பீடு கெழு மலையன் பாடியோரே.
Another way to praise the king’s renowned charity. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Even if they go on a day that’s inauspicious, even if the bird omens forbid them to, even if it isn’t the right time to meet the king, even if there’s no talent in their words, they shall never part away empty-handed – they, who sing praises of Malaiyan, the lord of the proud hills, where cascades flow down evenly, roaring aloud!”
Let’s explore the details here. The poet starts by talking about people, who are setting out from their homes on what’s considered an inauspicious day. Next, he talks about the situation wherein bird omens are all wrong and promise no success in the venture of the one starting out. Not only that, he then considers the situation, where the king has so many things on his mind and is not in the right frame of mind to meet anyone. Even after all this, if a supplicant comes to the king, and even without any special prowess, sings the praises of the king, that person is sure to part away with a lot of riches and gifts from the hands of this ruler, the poet concludes.
All it takes for a person to receive gifts from the king is to stand before him and seek, seems like! Reversing back to all the negative conditions, those words give us a hint of the beliefs Sangam people had. One, they seemed to have expected skill in the words of poets. Next is the common sense understanding that there’s a time to approach a patron if one wanted something. Even now, ‘Is it a good time for you?’ is the first question we put to someone before asking them anything. Following these expectations we have even today, there seems to be some superstitious beliefs in bird omens and the day’s auspiciousness before setting out on a task. The core thought here is that while the asker thinks of so many things before seeking, this giver gives no thought and discriminates no one but pours down evenly like the cascades in his lush country. In a nutshell, the poet seems to be telling those supplicants, ‘Don’t think too much. Just show up!’ Could be good advice for life’s many moments too!
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