Aganaanooru 173 – Near the land of gold

In this episode, we perceive words of consolation, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 173, penned by Mulliyoor Pothiyaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse highlights the wealth and glory of a Sangam king’s domain. ‘அறம் தலைப்பிரியாது ஒழுகலும், சிறந்தகேளிர் கேடு பல ஊன்றலும், நாளும்வருந்தா உள்ளமொடு இருந்தோர்க்கு இல்’ எனச்செய்வினை புரிந்த நெஞ்சினர், ‘நறு நுதல்மை ஈர் ஓதி! அரும் படர் உழத்தல்சில் நாள் தாங்கல்வேண்டும்’ என்று, நின்நல் மாண் எல் வளை திருத்தினர்ஆயின்,வருவர் வாழி, தோழி! பல புரிவார் கயிற்று ஒழுகை நோன் சுவற் கொளீஇ,பகடு துறை ஏற்றத்து உமண் விளி வெரீஇ,உழைமான் அம் பிணை இனன் இரிந்து ஓட,காடு கவின் அழிய உரைஇ, கோடைநின்று தின விளிந்த, அம் பணை, நெடு வேய்க்கண் விடத் தெறிக்கும் மண்ணா முத்தம்கழங்கு உறழ் தோன்றல, பழங் குழித் தாஅம்இன் களி நறவின் இயல் தேர் நன்னன்விண் பொரு நெடு வரைக் கவாஅன்பொன் படு மருங்கின் மலை இறந்தோரே. In this trip to the drylands in the mountains, we get to hear the confidante say these words to the lady, at a time when the man continues to remain parted away: “Deciding, ‘Living a life without swerving away from justice and bearing the many burdens of one’s honourable kith and kin, are both impossible for those, who stay in comfort with a complacent heart!’, the one who wished to part away on the mission of gaining wealth, said, ‘O maiden with a fragrant forehead and thick, moist tresses, you must bear the deep suffering of parting for a few days!’, as he caressed your exquisite, shining bangles. Tying sturdy ropes with many thick threads to the necks of their oxen, arrive salt merchants on upraised river shores. Startled by their sharp whistles, herds of male deer along with their exquisite mates scuttle away; Making the jungle lose its beauty, the summer sun scorches. The tall and beautiful bamboos, that have dried up bereft of water, burst at the nodes, and scatter soiled seeds that appear akin to beans, which fall into old pits. The man, who has left to these mountains, which lie near the rich, golden lands in the slopes of sky-soaring peaks, belonging to Nannan, who wields fast chariots and is renowned for the sweetness of his toddy, will return to you soon, my friend, may you live long!” Time to tread those hot sands! The confidante starts by reflecting the man’s words to the lady before he had left on his mission. With much tenderness, he had consoled the lady and explained the reasons he had to undertake the journey, talking about how it was his duty to live a life of justice and to help all their kith and kin in their hour of need, and to do this, he had to leave the comfort of home and go seek wealth. He had requested the lady to bear with this pain for some time and left, the confidante reminds the lady. Then she talks about the place where the man treads now, talking about an arid region, where salt merchants traverse with their oxen, frightening the deer there with their sharp whistles, and where bamboos split open in the heat, scattering their seeds. The confidante concludes by adding that those drylands were in the vicinity of the wealthy domain, filled with gold, ruled by King Nannan, known for his swaying chariots and sweet toddy, and promises the lady that the man would return soon to her.  With those specific words about Nannan’s golden lands, the confidante hints that the man would be blessed with riches in his mission, and the lady’s days of pain were at an end. What a thoughtful friend who highlights the positive qualities of the very person, seemingly the cause of pain! By connecting the goodness of the man in the past, and the promise of his return in the future, this fine friend alleviates the lady’s misery in the present moment. The perfect recipe for reassurance indeed!