POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE- RETREAT BACK, O ENEMIES

ABOUT THE POEM:The poem RETREAT BACK, O ENEMIES is a powerful warning to the enemies of King Athiyaman. Avvaiyar declares that just as a master craftsman—capable of making many chariots in a single day—spends an entire month perfecting a single chariot wheel to make it exceptionally strong, there exists a warrior in Athiyaman’s army of similar unmatched strength and skill. Therefore, she cautions the enemies not to enter the battlefield against such a formidable force, as it would surely lead to their destruction.RETREAT BACK, O ENEMIESThis is the song that warns the lurking foeBy Avvaiyar, whose words like arrows fly,Of Athiyaman’s wrath none should dare.A craftsman skilled, whose hands can swiftly ply,Eight chariots shaped within a single day,With tireless art no labour can deny—Yet for one wheel he chose a month to stay,And wrought with care a strength no time could break,A force no fleeting skill could sweep away.So stands a warrior in our ranks awake,Of tempered might, of power deep and long—O enemies! Turn back for your own sake.For those who face him shall not stand for long,But fall like dust before a storm’s embrace—Withdraw, lest ruin prove his strength is strong.PURANANURU - 87POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:ADHIYAMAN NEDUMAN ANJI