In this episode, we listen to a thoughtful response, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 13, penned by Perunthalai Saaththanaar. The verse is situated in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’ and paints a portrait of the pain in parting.

தன் கடற் பிறந்த முத்தின் ஆரமும்,
முனை திறை கொடுக்கும் துப்பின் தன் மலைத்
தெறல் அரு மரபின் கடவுட் பேணி,
குறவர் தந்த சந்தின் ஆரமும்,
இரு பேர் ஆரமும் எழில் பெற அணியும்
திரு வீழ் மார்பின் தென்னவன் மறவன்

குழியில் கொண்ட மராஅ யானை
மொழியின் உணர்த்தும் சிறு வரை அல்லது
வரை நிலை இன்றி இரவலர்க்கு ஈயும்,
வள் வாய் அம்பின், கோடைப் பொருநன்
பண்ணி தைஇய பயம் கெழு வேள்வியின்,
விழுமிது நிகழ்வது ஆயினும் தெற்கு ஏர்பு,
கழி மழை பொழிந்த பொழுது கொள் அமையத்து,
சாயல் இன் துணை இவட் பிரிந்து உறையின்,
நோய் இன்றாக செய்பொருள் வயிற்பட
மாசு இல் தூ மடி விரிந்த சேக்கை,
கவவு இன்புறாமைக் கழிக வள வயல்,
அழல் நுதி அன்ன தோகை ஈன்ற
கழனி நெல் ஈன் கவைமுதல் அலங்கல்
நிரம்பு அகன் செறுவில் வரம்பு அணையாத் துயல்வர,
புலம்பொடு வந்த பொழுது கொள் வாடை,
இலங்கு பூங் கரும்பின் ஏர் கழை இருந்த
வெண் குருகு நரல, வீசும்
நுண் பல் துவலைய தண் பனி நாளே!

The alternating shades of the drylands appear unceasingly, and in this instance, we get to hear these words, which echo what the lady’s confidante has to say, when the man informs her of his intention to part away from the lady in search of wealth:

“A necklace made of pearls born from his seas; A necklace made of sandalwood, given to him by mountain dwellers, who worship that god, who never leaves his devotees in distress; the people who live in his mountains, which has the vigour to make enemies bow and pay tributes. Both these worthy necklaces adorn with beauty, the chest of the brave Southern King, favoured with wealth and prosperity.

Other than those few moments, when he tames wild elephants, captured in a pit, with his words, all other moments, he spends giving away to supplicants; Such is the nature of the lord of ‘Kodai’ in the Southern King’s domain, known for his sharp-tipped arrows, by the name of ‘Panni’. This lord performs many rituals that rain prosperity on him.

Even if you were to attain more wealth than that lord, at this time, when clouds climb from the south and shower copious rains, if you were to part away from your pleasant mate, may the wealth you seek come to you, without any impediment!

However, know this that upon a bed, spread with flawless, pure sheet, you will lose the joy of embracing her, as the cold northern winds accompanied by lament and loneliness sway the paddy grains atop stalks with tips, akin to fire, in the fertile fields, which spread far and wide, fenced by embankments, making a white bird, atop the sugarcane stalk with shining white flowers, cry out aloud, as the cold winds scatter many tiny droplets on that moist and cold day!”

Let’s delve deeper into this verse! The confidante starts with a lengthy description about a Pandya King, by mentioning how he wears a necklace made of pearls from his seas as well as a necklace of sandalwood brought by ‘Kuravars’ from the mountains in his domain, which make enemies bow down before him. However, this being a collection on inner life, the king is being talked about to refer to a lord in his domain, the ruler of ‘Kodai’. Could this be the contemporary ‘Kodaikanal’ hills that we are talking about here? Returning, we learn how this lord has the strength and talent to tame elephants on the one hand, and on the other, a ceaseless generosity to give to his supplicants. If a person has so much generosity, they must have so much wealth, and the confidante talks about how this lord performs rituals seeking wealth. Apparently, such rituals were considered fruitful then, and the confidante connects this fact to the man saying that she wishes the man gets more wealth than that lord renowned for his wealth and generosity.

After what seems like a blessing, the confidante comes to how this separation will affect the lady, as it’s happening in a time when the winds climb from the south and pour with rains, and the cold northern winds bring loneliness upon the land, swaying the paddy stalks and making birds atop sugarcane stalks lament. In such a time, the man will have to miss embracing the lady, the confidante concludes.

Is the confidante saying to the man, ‘Please go ahead and earn the wealth you seek!’ or is she saying, ‘Don’t part from the lady at this time in the cold season when it’s impossible to be apart’? We cannot say for sure! However, we can see that she has lucidly presented both sides of the story and has left the man to make up his mind, which is an attribute of the wise, when they attempt to help another to choose the right path!