In this episode, we perceive a man’s ecstatic emotions, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 230, penned by Madurai Aruvai Vaanikan Ilavettanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming blue lotuses of the ‘Neythal’ or ‘Coastal Landscape’ and sketches a conversation and its consequences.

‘உறு கழி மருங்கின் ஓதமொடு மலர்ந்த
சிறு கரு நெய்தற் கண் போல் மா மலர்ப்
பெருந் தண் மாத் தழை இருந்த அல்குல்,
ஐய அரும்பிய சுணங்கின், வை எயிற்று,
மை ஈர் ஓதி, வாள் நுதல் குறுமகள்!
விளையாட்டு ஆயமொடு வெண் மணல் உதிர்த்த
புன்னை நுண் தாது பொன்னின் நொண்டு,
மனை புறந்தருதிஆயின், எனையதூஉம்,
இம் மனைக் கிழமை எம்மொடு புணரின்,
தீதும் உண்டோ, மாதராய்?’ என,
கடும் பரி நல் மான் கொடிஞ்சி நெடுந் தேர்
கை வல் பாகன் பையென இயக்க,
யாம் தற் குறுகினமாக, ஏந்து எழில்
அரி வேய் உண் கண் பனி வரல் ஒடுக்கி,
சிறிய இறைஞ்சினள், தலையே
பெரிய எவ்வம் யாம் இவண் உறவே.

In this trip to the seas, we get to see more of the person than the land, as we listen to the man say these words to his heart, after sharing a moment with a lady:

“When I said going close to her, ‘Adorning huge, eye-like flowers of the small, dark blue lotus, blooming in the fresh flood of waves, near vast backwaters, along with huge, and cool dark leaves around your waist, which is covered with beauty spots many, having sharp teeth, moist, thick black tresses, radiant forehead, art thou, O young maiden! Along with your playmates, you gather fine pollen of the laurel wood tree fallen on the white sands, and considering it as gold, you pretend play houses. If at all, you were to play houses with me by uniting with me for real, is there anything wrong, O magnificent woman?’, as my skilful charioteer slowed down the speeding, fine horses tied to the tall chariot, carved with well-adorned curving seat, hiding the tears in her exquisite, kohl-streaked eyes with red lines, she bent her head a little, causing me to feel a huge suffering just then!”

Let’s relish the sight of the lush seaside flowers and listen on! The man starts by describing the blue lotuses that are blooming like eyes only to say the lady is wearing the same, along with its thick leaves around her waist. After her attire, the man describes her teeth, tresses, and forehead, celebrating their beauty. Then, he goes on to mention how the lady is gathering pollen of the laurel wood tree and treating it as if it were gold, and adorning the sand house that she has built with her mates. After mentioning what the lady’s been doing thus far, the man asks her if there’s anything wrong if she were to come play houses for real with him! To this, the lady, as if sharing her consent, with tear-brimming eyes, had bent her head a little and that action had thrown the man’s heart into a flutter, he concludes! 

I know! I was shocked to hear such a question put forth to a girl playing with sand houses. But we have to keep away our modern lenses and observe this interaction. Perhaps young girls were so innocent in those times that they kept playing with sand houses much into maturity. Or, the concept of age and appropriateness could have been totally different in this culture. If we were to see beyond these specifics, at the core, it’s a man proposing to a woman, and hearing her silent acceptance. If we can see that, we can relate to that timeless explosion of feelings in a person at that moment when they can see that their love is reciprocated!