In this episode, we perceive the yearning in a man to return home speedily, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 34, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. Set in the rain-soaked ‘Mullai’ or ‘Forest landscape’, the verse portrays scenes in the wild and its consequences on a man’s mind.

சிறு கரும் பிடவின் வெண் தலைக் குறும் புதல்
கண்ணியின் மலரும் தண் நறும் புறவில்,
தொடுதோற் கானவன் கவை பொறுத்தன்ன
இரு திரி மருப்பின் அண்ணல் இரலை
செறி இலைப் பதவின் செங் கோல் மென் குரல்
மறி ஆடு மருங்கின் மடப் பிணை அருத்தி,
தெள் அறல் தழீஇய வார் மணல் அடைகரை,
மெல்கிடு கவுள துஞ்சு புறம் காக்கும்
பெருந்தகைக்கு உடைந்த நெஞ்சம் ஏமுற,
செல்க, தேரே நல் வலம் பெறுந!

பசை கொல் மெல் விரல், பெருந் தோள் புலைத்தி
துறை விட்டன்ன தூ மயிர் எகினம்
துணையொடு திளைக்கும் காப்புடை வரைப்பில்,
செந் தார்ப் பைங் கிளி முன்கை ஏந்தி,
”இன்று வரல் உரைமோ, சென்றிசினோர் திறத்து” என,
இல்லவர் அறிதல் அஞ்சி, மெல்லென
மழலை இன் சொல் பயிற்றும்
நாணுடை அரிவை மாண் நலம் பெறவே.

Here we are, in the cool and fragrant forests, and here, unfolds a tale of a man rushing home after finishing his mission. His words to his charioteer are:

“The little white-headed bush, filled with tiny, dark wild jasmine leaves, sprouts like a garland in the cool and fragrant forest. Appearing akin to a forester, who wears leather footwear, and carries a bundle of firewood, atop his head, the esteemed male deer with huge, twisted antlers, helps its naive mate to feed on the thick-leaved bushes with red stems and soft stalks, in the spaces, where young goats play. Then, the male takes the female deer to the river shore, filled with sands, embracing the long banks, and standing, with its cheeks munching on food, and guards its sleeping mate. Seeing this generous nature of the beast, my heart breaks down in tears. So, ride fast, O efficient charioteer!

Akin to the foams of white starch, let out in the river by the soft fingers of the washerwoman, with huge arms, are the pristine feathered swans, which delight joyously with their mates in our well-guarded mansion. To a green parrot with a red garland perched on her forearm, fearing that those in the home would hear her words, in a soft tone, with a child’s lisp, she would say, “If you want to say something about the one who parted away, please say that he will return today”. For me to delight in the beauty of this young maiden brimming with modesty, ride fast, O charioteer!”

Savouring the fragrance of wild jasmines in bloom, let’s learn more of the man’s heart! The man starts by describing the forest around him. He talks about the wild jasmine bushes that are painting the forest with a rich scent. From these generic descriptions, the man moves to a specific scene, where he sees a male deer with huge antlers, which reminds him of the image of a man of the forest region, carrying a bundle of firewood, atop his head. The man points to how this male deer helps its female to the rich food of the bushes and then takes the mate to the comfortable river shores. Then, as the female sleeps, the male stands there guarding the female with much devotion, the man says. Seeing this scene, the man wants to shower the same love on his lady, waiting for him. He recollects the swans in their household, and connects the white feathers of these birds to the white starch that a washerwoman empties in the river shore. Next, in his mind’s eye, travelling further inside his home, the man finds his lady talking to a pet parrot on her arm, with a child-like lisp, in a soft voice, so that no one around hears, begging for the parrot to say the good word that the man will return that very day. So, to delight this young maiden by fulfilling her heart’s dearest wish, the man bids his able charioteer to hasten the horses!

It’s heartwarming to perceive such loving images of the other in the minds of these lovelorn couples from the past! Stunning how those images in nature, with those wild deer, and the actions of those engaged in different work, like that forester collecting twigs or that washerwoman at work in a river shore, are brought with clarity and depth before our eyes, all with a few words! A verse that feels like a satisfying ride on a chariot, taking in the glimpses of the past, and smiling at the timeless love at the core!