In this episode, we listen to words of assurance, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 231, penned by Madurai Eezhathu Boothan Thevanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse portrays the fame of a Pandya King and his city.

‘செறுவோர் செம்மல் வாட்டலும், சேர்ந்தோர்க்கு
உறும் இடத்து உவக்கும் உதவி ஆண்மையும்,
இல் இருந்து அமைவோர்க்கு இல், என்று எண்ணி,
நல் இசை வலித்த நாணுடை மனத்தர்
கொடு விற் கானவர் கணை இடத் தொலைந்தோர்,
படு களத்து உயர்த்த மயிர்த் தலைப் பதுக்கைக்
கள்ளி அம் பறந்தலைக் களர்தொறும் குழீஇ,
உள்ளுநர்ப் பனிக்கும் ஊக்கு அருங் கடத்திடை
வெஞ் சுரம் இறந்தனர்ஆயினும், நெஞ்சு உருக
வருவர் வாழி, தோழி! பொருவர்
செல் சமம் கடந்த செல்லா நல் இசை,
விசும்பு இவர் வெண் குடை, பசும் பூட் பாண்டியன்
பாடு பெறு சிறப்பின் கூடல் அன்ன நின்
ஆடு வண்டு அரற்றும் முச்சித்
தோடு ஆர் கூந்தல் மரீஇயோரே.

In this trip to the drylands, we encounter some frightening images and also take a detour to a famous Sangam era city, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, when the man continues to remain parted away, having left in search of wealth:

“Thinking, ‘The ability, to destroy hubris of foes, and to render aid when friends come seeking in need, does not come to those who stay at home content, nudged by his mind, filled with shame, and yearning to attain good fame, he has left to the scorching drylands, where those who have perished to arrows of men of the jungle, wielding curving bows, in battlefields, are buried with their hairy heads lifted above the ground and covered with shallow stone graves, in those vast saline spaces, where cactus spreads densely. Even though he treads upon such an inaccessible path that makes those who think about it tremble, he shall return with his heart melting, my dear friend, may you live long! Having the undying great fame of routing the attack of his enemies, and a white royal umbrella akin to the sky, rules ‘Pasumpoon Pandiyan’, in his capital of ‘Koodal’, having the fame of being sung about by bards many. Akin to this city, is your bee-buzzing head of tresses, adorned with flowers. He who has found sweet sleep on these tresses of yours will return indeed, without fail!”

Let’s walk on those barren spaces and learn more! The confidante starts by outlining the reasons the man left in search of wealth and these are noble in nature, for he had come to the conclusion that if he wanted to slay the arrogance of his enemies and render without reservation to his friends, he cannot remain at home and do nothing, but must leave in search of wealth. So, propelled by his sense of shame, he had left to the drylands, the confidante says, and goes on to talk about the harsh nature of this domain by painting an image of the men, who had fallen to the arrows of the drylands’ robbers, buried with their hairy heads covered in stones, and mentions how such paths are frightening to even think about. Hardly words of reassurance to the anxious lady! While that may be so, the confidante continues, the man is sure to return with his heart, beating so tenderly for the lady, because he was one, who had relished sweet sleep on those tresses of the lady, which the confidante concludes by placing in parallel to the celebrated city of ‘Koodal’, ruled by a renowned king of Sangam times known by the name of ‘Pasumpoon Pandiyan’. 

High praise for this city, for to be placed in parallel with a lady’s beauty, was considered the highest honour that can be endowed on a place! This city of ‘Koodal’ is none other than the city of ‘Madurai’, celebrated even in contemporary times, for being the place that reared and protected the language of Tamil over the ages.

On a tangent, a question arose in my head as to why all these men in search of wealth had to go through the drylands. Why can’t they sail by the coast or trek through the mountains? When reflecting, the thought that struck me was such a barren and desolate region could be an imaginative metaphor to contrast the comfort and safety a person leaves behind, when they venture into a new place! Perhaps, it’s a subtle whisper from the past that the drylands of doubt and despair must be crossed before we can step on to the lush fields of fertility that awaits us in the future!