POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - WHERE COURAGE MEETS COMPASSION

ABOUT THE POEM:The poem WHERE COURAGE MEETS COMPASSION contrasts two rulers to highlight the difference between mere possession of military equipment and true martial strength. One king proudly keeps his weapons polished, decorated and safely stored in the armoury, suggesting that they are rarely used in battle. In contrast, the speaker's chieftain possesses spears that are worn, broken and lying in the blacksmith's forge for repair because they have been repeatedly used against enemies in actual warfare. This emphasizes the valor, experience, and battle-readiness of the chieftain's warriors.Beyond his military prowess, the poem celebrates the chieftain's generosity and compassion. He treats the poor and needy as his own relatives. When he has wealth, he freely shares it with others; when he has little, he shares even his meagre food with those around him. Thus, the poem presents the ideal ruler as one who combines courage in war with kindness and generosity in peace, earning both victory on the battlefield and love among his peopleWHERE COURAGE MEETS COMPASSION Here, in your armoury, the weapons gleam,Adorned with peacock plumes in splendid dream;With garlands graced, their sharpened edges bright,Anointed well with oil to guard from blight.Untouched by war, they rest in ordered pride,Like sleeping storms with all their force untied.But there, the spears my chieftain hurled in fightHave pierced the foe with unrelenting might;Their points are broken, blunted, worn, and bent,In blacksmiths' blazing forges now they're spent.Scarred by the field where fearless warriors stood,They bear the marks of courage sealed in blood.You may possess great stores of arms untold,Yet skill and valour cannot be bought with gold;My lord commands a host well-trained and true,Whose strength is proven in all they dare to do.Their battle wisdom, earned through toil and strife,Breathes living power into every life.To those in want, my lord is kin indeed,A friend who answers every cry of need;When wealth is his, he scatters it abroad,And shares its blessings as a gift from God.And when his stores run empty, bare and small,He breaks his meagre meal and shares with all.Thus shines his fame—not merely sword or spear,But generous heart that holds all people dear;In war, a lion none can hope to tame,In peace, a shelter crowned with deathless fame.PURANANURU - 95POET: AVVAIYARPATRON:ADHIYAMAN NEDUMAN ANJI