POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - THE VOICE OF PEACE TO A MIGHTY KING

ABOUT THE POEM:This poem, THE VOICE OF PEACE TO A MIGHTY KING, is a powerful appeal to a mighty ruler, KILLI VALAVAN, THE CHOLA KING urging him to abandon war and embrace peace. It praises his strength—his elephant, army and flashing spear—but warns that using such power to frighten other kings is neither noble nor new. The poet calls for just governance, likening it to a tiger gently protecting its cubs. The fertile and peaceful Pandya land, rich with natural beauty and hospitality, should not be attacked. Instead, the ruler is encouraged to win the admiration of poets and people by upholding justice and avoiding unnecessary destruction. True greatness, the poem asserts lies in wise and compassionate rule not in conquest.THE VOICE OF PEACE TO A MIGHTY KINGThy elephant looms like a mountain tall,Thy army roars like the oceans call.Thy spear keeps flashing, fierce and bright—Kings of the earth now quake with fright.This path is neither just nor new,Such deeds are far beneath thy due.Let rivers clash, not men at war—Let peace, like tigers guard their young, restore.Raise not thy sword on Pandyan land,Where honey drips from sugarcane’s strand.Where turtle rolls through fertile field,And lotus blooms the maidens yield.From mountain's source the poets stream,To crown thee king of peace, their dream.Yet thou, like Death, lay realms to dust—O ruler, rise, be wise and just!PURANANURU - 42POET: IDAIKKADANARPATRON: KILLI VALAVAN, THE CHOLA KING WHO RESTS AT KULAMUTRAMNOTE:PANDYAN: KING OF THE ANCIENT TAMIL DYNASTYTHE PANDYAS WERE ONE OF THE THREE MAJOR TAMIL DYNASTIES IN SOUTH INDIA ALONG WITH THE CHERAS AND CHOLAS.