Aganaanooru 22 – Ritual and Rationale

In this episode, we hear a strong statement defending a person, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 22, penned by Veri Paadiya Kaamakanniyaar. Set amidst the cascades and slopes of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’, the verse paints a portrait of the beliefs and rituals of those times. அணங்குடை நெடு வரை உச்சியின் இழிதரும்கணம் கொள் அருவிக் கான் கெழு நாடன்மணம் கமழ் வியல் மார்பு அணங்கிய செல்லல்இது என அறியா மறுவரற் பொழுதில்,”படியோர்த் தேய்த்த பல் புகழ்த் தடக் கைநெடு வேட் பேணத் தணிகுவள் இவள்” என,முது வாய்ப் பெண்டிர் அது வாய் கூற,களம் நன்கு இழைத்து, கண்ணி சூட்டி,வள நகர் சிலம்பப் பாடி, பலி கொடுத்து,உருவச் செந்தினை குருதியொடு தூஉய்,முருகு ஆற்றுப்படுத்த உரு கெழு நடு நாள்,ஆரம் நாற, அரு விடர்த் ததைந்தசாரற் பல் பூ வண்டு படச் சூடி,களிற்று இரை தெரீஇய பார்வல் ஒதுக்கின்ஒளித்து இயங்கும் மரபின் வயப் புலி போல,நல் மனை நெடு நகர்க் காவலர் அறியாமைதன் நசை உள்ளத்து நம் நசை வாய்ப்ப,இன் உயிர் குழைய முயங்குதொறும் மெய்ம் மலிந்து,நக்கனென் அல்லெனோ யானே எய்த்தநோய் தணி காதலர் வர, ஈண்டுஏதில் வேலற்கு உலந்தமை கண்டே? A visit to the mountains lets us overhear this conversation between the lady and her confidante, at a moment when the confidante scolds the man for leaving the lady in worry, and the lady responds with these words, as the man listens nearby: “From the fearsome peaks of mountain ranges, descend wide cascades in the rich, forest-filled mountains of the lord. As days passed without embracing his fragrant, wide chest, not knowing that this was the reason for my suffering at that time, hearing the words of wise old women, who spoke their truth saying, ‘If we pray to the great lord, who wields a tall spear in his famous strong arms that have subdued enemies many, she will be healed’, my kith and kin decided to offer a ritual. Spreading sand on the arena, adorning with garlands, singing aloud in front of the prosperous mansion, offering sacrifices, scattering exquisite red millet fused with blood all around, they sought the blessings of God Murugu. On that very midnight, with his garland spreading fragrance, wearing it densely woven with the many flowers in his mountain slopes, buzzing with bees, in the tradition of a strong male tiger that hides and bides its time on the lookout for its prey of an elephant, without the knowledge of the guards around the fine mansion of our home, to fulfil the desire of my heart, which desired for him, he came, and melting my very life, he embraced me. At that moment, didn’t I laugh out loud with my form entire, quivering, filled with ecstasy, thinking how to end this affliction of mine, it was my lover who had to come, whereas my kith and kin took so much trouble for the pointless ritual of Velan, the priest!” Time to take part in a mountain ritual and understand more! The lady starts by talking about her trysting with the man, who comes from the mountain peaks, filled with roaring cascades. For a few days, this trysting did not happen, and at that time, the lady lost her health and beauty, pining for the man. Now, not knowing the reason behind her affliction, the lady’s family, listening to the words of old women there decided that the only way to heal their daughter was to offer a ritual to appease God Murugu, who is described more in the lines of a king, who wields a spear and subdues his enemies with his strength. Next, the lady details about the events in the ritua,l where they spread out a smooth sand platform, adorn the ritual priest Velan with many garlands, sing and dance in front of their house, while offering sacrifices and spreading out millet grains mixed with blood, all in the hope God Murugu will come down and relieve the suffering of their girl. The lady recollects how that very night, not God Murugu, but her man from the mountains came down, wearing garlands, buzzing with bees, and in the manner of a tiger that hunts for an elephant, carefully hiding, the man too kept out of the sight of the guards around the lady’s home, and managed to sneak in and embrace her. At that moment, all her afflictions melted away, says the lady, and she concludes by talking about how she was filled with laughter, thinking about how the man had to come and relieve her pain, whereas her family thought it was the handiwork of Velan, the priest, and God Murugu! Hearing these words, no doubt the listening man will put all such troubles of the lady away and come seek her hand in marriage. Returning to the essence of this verse, we hear this ancient lady echo loud and clear that it is not the actions of an all-powerful God, but that of a man, her beloved, that could end her sorrow and suffering. Through this, she illuminates the philosophy of ancient Tamils, who seem to have had a clear understanding of cause and consequence. Indeed, a philosophy that has been built on the unshakeable foundation of truth and rationality!