POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - TWO KINDS OF FOES

POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - TWO KINDS OF FOESABOUT THE POEM:The poem TWO KINDS OF FOES praises the young son of Athiyaman Neduman Anji, Poguttelini whose handsome appearance and noble stature create two kinds of enemies wherever he goes. When he wears the thumbai flower, the emblem of a warrior preparing for battle, young women who see him become lovesick and pale with longing, making them one group of his “enemies.” The second group consists of the people of the villages he visits. When he arrives with his large retinue and powerful elephants, even during ordinary days, the villagers worry that his elephants will muddy and disturb the waters of their bathing ghats and riverbanks. Thus, through a humorous and affectionate contrast, the poet portrays the prince as a figure so attractive and influential that he wins both admiration and resentment simply by his presence. The poem celebrates his charm, prestige and the grandeur associated with his lineage.TWO KINDS OF FOESWhen on his brow the battle-thumbai lay, The youthful son of mighty Anji came, And two new foes arose along his way.The first were maidens, smitten by his fame,Whose eyes grew pale with longing's tender fire,Yet dared not speak the passion they could name.Their glances followed him with mute desire, A silent siege no warrior's shield could stay, A wound that neither time nor rest could tire.The second foe appeared where villages lay,When with his kin he halted by the stream, Though no festal drums proclaimed the day.There, feasting well on mutton's savoury gleam, His mighty elephants would drink and roam, And churn the waters with their strength supreme. The townsfolk feared the turmoil brought to home,Lest all their bathing-ghats be stirred and stained,Whenever he and all his band would come.Thus two unlike adversaries remained: Love-stricken eyes that yearned yet could not speak, And anxious townsfolk as bathing-ghats demolished.So stood the prince—both glorious and unique—By beauty loved, by greatness feared as well,A hero strong, whom fate made charm and seek.His very presence cast a double spell: To hearts, sweet longing; to the land, alarm—Such was the youth of whom the poets tell.PURANANURU - 96POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:POGUTTELINI, THE SON OF ATHIYAMANNOTE:The Thumbai flower (Leucas aspera) occupies a special place in Sangam literature and Tamil culture. A small white wildflower, it was traditionally associated with warfare, valor, and martial readiness.