POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - CALM IN PEACE, FIERCE IN WAR

ABOUT THE POEM:The poem “Calm in Peace, Fierce in War” extols a great king whose nature varies according to those who approach him. Toward poets, minstrels and learned men, he is gentle, gracious and benevolent; yet to his enemies, he is fierce, formidable and dreadful in wrath.To poets, singers and learned men, he is generous and comforting, like a calm elephant resting peacefully in the water while people freely climb upon it. But to his enemies, he is fierce and terrifying, as dangerous as the raging musth of an elephant.The poem beautifully presents the ideal ruler as one who combines kindness with strength — tender to friends and fearsome to foes.CALM IN PEACE, FIERCE IN WAR O Great One!You are like the mighty elephantresting in the river ford,calm and yielding,while men climb upon its vast backand wash its gleaming tusks.So are you—gentle and graciousto bards like us,to wandering minstrelsand poets who seek your hall.Your presence pours sweetnessinto our songsand warmth into our weary hearts.Yet to your enemies,you are not that tranquil beast.You becomelike the fierce rut-fluidstreaming from the elephant in musth—terrible, untamed,a force of dreadbefore which rivals tremble.PURANANURU - 94POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:ADHIYAMAN NEDUMAN ANJI