Aganaanooru 254 – The joy of coming home

In this episode, we listen to the ecstatic words of a person, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 254, penned by Madurai Aruvai Vaanikan Ilavettanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming jasmines of the ‘Mullai’ or ‘Forest landscape’ and sketches the emotions in a homecoming. ‘நரை விராவுற்ற நறு மென் கூந்தற்செம் முது செவிலியர் பல பாராட்ட,பொலன் செய் கிண்கிணி நலம் பெறு சேவடிமணல் மலி முற்றத்து நிலம் வடுக் கொளாஅ,மனை உறை புறவின் செங் காற் சேவல்துணையொடு குறும் பறை பயிற்றி, மேல் செல,விளையாடு ஆயத்து இளையோர்க் காண்தொறும்நம்வயின் நினையும் நல் நுதல் அரிவைபுலம்பொடு வதியும் கலங்கு அஞர் அகல,வேந்து உறு தொழிலொடு வேறு புலத்து அல்கி,வந்து வினை முடித்தனம்ஆயின், நீயும்,பணை நிலை முனைஇய, வினை நவில் புரவிஇழை அணி நெடுந் தேர் ஆழி உறுப்ப,நுண் கொடி மின்னின், பைம் பயிர் துமிய,தளவ முல்லையொடு தலைஇ, தண்ணெனவெறி கமழ் கொண்ட வீ ததை புறவின்நெடி இடை பின் படக் கடவுமதி, என்று யான்சொல்லிய அளவை, நீடாது, வல்லென,தார் மணி மா அறிவுறாஅ,ஊர் நணித் தந்தனை, உவகை யாம் பெறவே! In this trip to the woodlands, we take in familiar scenes that rush past, as we listen to the man say these words to his charioteer, at a moment when he’s returning home to the lady, after having parted with her to work on a mission: “As many experienced old caretakers, having fragrant, soft tresses, interspersed with greys, pamper, young ones amidst the playmates, wearing golden, tinkling anklets on their beautiful feet, leaving marks on the sand-filled front yard, run around, making the red-legged male pigeon residing at home, and cuddling with its mate, to spread its short wings and flutter away above. Seeing these sights, that young maiden with a fine forehead, would think of me, and be filled with lament. To end her state of suffering, at this time, when my task in this foreign land, taken at the behest of the king, is complete, I asked you to tie the battle-worthy horses, which hate to remain in the stables, to the bejewelled, tall chariot, and rotating its wheels, with the speed of vine-like lightning, chopping shrubs on the path, striding through the fragrant forest, blooming with wild jasmines and pink jasmines, filled with fallen flowers, and leaving that long and winding path behind, and ride on. Even before I finished my words, without waiting, with much speed, making those horses clad in garlands understand, you have brought me so close to the town, making me attain much joy!” Let’s listen to the duet of the man’s heartbeat and the horses’ hoofbeat! The man starts by talking about his lady’s state, and to do that, he paints a picture of many old women, with the stamp of wisdom in the hue of grey on their fragrant tresses, who have the task of taking care of the lady and her playmates. As they pamper, in the front yard, the lady’s many playmates would be running about, making the cuddling pigeons scuttle away, the man imagines. He infers that the lady would be reminded of the man when she sees those pigeons in the air, and as a result, would be filled with much worry. Considering all this, the man wanting to return to her with much speed, now that his mission for the king is all done, had said to his charioteer to rush homeward, with the sturdy horses and decorated chariot, chopping the shrubs on the way, and leaving behind the scene of a forest filled with blooming white and pink jasmines. The man concludes by saying how even before he finished those words, the charioteer understanding his heart and wielding the horses with much skill, had brought the man so close to the lady’s town, and thus made him feel a deep happiness!  In essence, this is appreciation for the work of a subordinate, who has exceeded expectations. A feeling we can relate to, even two thousand years later, when we share a word of praise for a job well done. Indeed, it’s an ecstatic instance, with ripples many, in the life of the giver and the receiver. A verse that seems to nudge us to find ways to express gratitude for the many blessings endowed by the people in our lives!