POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - THE RELENTLESS CONQUEROR

ABOUT THE POEMThe poem THE RELENTLESS CONQUEROR glorifies the overwhelming military power and fearsome reputation of a great king. His war-elephant, horse, spear, and brave warriors inspire such terror that enemies abandon all thoughts of resistance and retreat behind fortified defenses. Even after the enemies signal their unwillingness to fight and submit themselves, the king continues his relentless assault like Yama, the god of death. The poet emphasizes that the king's might is so irresistible that the enemy's prosperous land is destined for ruin and destruction. The poem thus celebrates the king's invincible strength, the valor of his army and the dreadful fear he instills in his foes.THE RELENTLESS CONQUERORThose who sawyour mighty war-elephant advancingbarred their fortress gateswith heavy boltsand withdrew within out of fear.Those who watchedyour horse thunder across the battlefield,its hooves striking the fallen dead,sealed their doorwayswith thorn-fenced barricades.Those who beheldyour spear, unshielded by any leather guard,hastened to cover their own bodieswith coats of hide.Those who sawthe noble scars of battleupon the chests of your valiant warriorsleft their arrows untouched,resting idle in their quivers.Yet you—though your enemies have made knowntheir unwillingness to wage war,offering even the smoke of white mustard seedsas a sign of submission—still descend upon themlike Yama, the Lord of Death.And so,the land of your foes,once rich with harvest and life,now stands trembling,ready to collapse beneath the weightof your relentless conquest.PURANANURU - 98POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:ADHIYAMAN NEDUMAN ANJI