POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - THE WARRIOR’S TRUE TRIUMPH

ABOUT THE POEM:The poem THE WARRIOR’S TRUE TRIUMPH celebrates the ancient Tamil ideal of heroic death in battle and the honor associated with warriorhood. It says that kings who fought bravely and died in combat were truly blessed, and even those who fled battle but later died of illness were symbolically given a warrior’s funeral so that they might attain the same heroic afterlife. However, the poem turns to praise the hero before the speaker—a noble warrior who has not died, but has returned alive bearing glorious battle scars, making him even more admirable as a living symbol of courage, valor, and greatness. THE WARRIOR’S TRUE TRIUMPH The kingswho rose against you in battleand fell—they were the fortunate ones.And thosewho fled the field in fear,lingered on,only to wither in sicknessand die upon their beds—they too escapedanother fate.For men would say:“Let him gowhere the warriors go—those who fell in battle,with valor as their companion.”And with the swordthey would cleave his lifeless body,lay him upon fresh green grassspread by the Brahminsversed in the four sacred Vedas,and consign himto that warrior’s rite.From such a fatethey escaped.But you—noble one,man of greatness—have returned,bearing the glorious woundsof battle.courage, valor, and greatness.PURANANURU - 93POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:ADHIYAMAN NEDUMAN ANJI