Aganaanooru 88 – Darkness Danger Discovery

In this episode, we perceive a subtle message of persuasion, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 88, penned by Eezhathu Poothanthevanaar. The verse is situated amidst the swaying millet stalks of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and portrays the dangers in a person’s path. முதைச் சுவற் கலித்த மூரிச் செந்தினைஓங்கு வணர்ப் பெருங் குரல் உணீஇய, பாங்கர்ப்பகுவாய்ப் பல்லிப் பாடு ஓர்த்து, குறுகும்புருவைப் பன்றி வரு திறம் நோக்கி,கடுங் கைக் கானவன் கழுதுமிசைக் கொளீஇயநெடுஞ் சுடர் விளக்கம் நோக்கி, வந்து, நம்நடுங்கு துயர் களைந்த நன்னராளன்சென்றனன்கொல்லோ தானே குன்றத்துஇரும் புலி தொலைத்த பெருங் கை யானைக்கவுள் மலிபு இழிதரும் காமர் கடாஅம்இருஞ் சிறைத் தொழுதி ஆர்ப்ப, யாழ் செத்து,இருங் கல் விடர் அளை அசுணம் ஓர்க்கும்காம்பு அமல் இறும்பில் பாம்பு படத் துவன்றி,கொடு விரல் உளியம் கெண்டும்வடு ஆழ் புற்றின வழக்கு அரு நெறியே? This tour of the mountains takes us in the presence of confidante, who is saying these words to the lady, pretending not to notice the man, who is listening nearby but making sure he is in earshot: “Desiring to eat luxuriant crop ears of the huge red millet flourishing in the ancient mountain ground, guided by the clicks of the split-mouthed lizard on its side, a young boar approaches the field. Anticipating its arrival, the harsh-eyed hunter lights up fire brands, atop his watch loft. Glimpsing the glow of this bright lamp, the good-natured lord comes here to remove your shivering sorrow. On the cheeks of the long-trunked elephant that has felled a huge tiger, descends down desirable musth, around which dark-winged swarms buzz around. Thinking this is the sound of lutes, the ‘Asunam’ living in the huge clefts of the mountain cries with pleasure. In the bamboo-filled forest, killing the serpent within, the sharp-fingered bear digs into the deep and furrowed termite mounds. Did your good man leave from here to walk on such a fear-evoking path?” Time to take a night stroll in the meandering mountain paths! The confidante describes to the lady the scene of a young boar waiting cautiously, listening to the sounds of a lizard on its side, biding its time to feed on the lush millets growing in the field. There’s a projection of human attributes on this boar in the way it’s portrayed as waiting for the good omen from the lizard to take a step forward towards its meal. Whatever be the grand plans of the boar, the hunter is prepared, and has lit up firebrands on his watch tower. This is the only light in that dark night, which guides the man to the lady’s house, and he has the good heart to come and end the lady’s suffering, the confidante remarks. Then she launches on a description of the mountain paths, and here, we find an elephant that has just felled a tiger, and from its cheeks, a thick musth liquid pours down, for it’s the time of rutting, and attracted by the scent, bees buzz around with their characteristic hum. Hearing this hum, a creature called ‘Asunam’ apparently shouts out with pleasure. To recollect, this Asunam is a mythical creature we have encountered in many Sangam verses, one which is attracted by pleasant music and dies the moment it hears harsh sounds. If such a creature existed, it would not have lasted one second in our modern world! Returning, we find the confidante continuing her description saying not only that, but there’s a bear furiously digging through a termite mound, killing a snake residing within, in that very path. She concludes by asking her friend if indeed the man was taking such a path to come visit the lady and then part away!  Implying that this is a path filled not only with dread and danger, but also the fear of discovery, the confidante is urging the man to give up his temporary trysting and seek a permanent union with the lady. This subtle tone of communication, without any hint of force, appreciating the good qualities, and depicting interest in the other’s safety and welfare, is a masterclass in techniques of effective behaviour transformation!