In this episode, we perceive a clear response to a dilemma, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 51, penned by Perunthevanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands Landscape’, the verse portrays the conflict between being with a beloved and parting away to earn wealth.

ஆள் வழக்கு அற்ற சுரத்திடைக் கதிர் தெற,
நீள் எரி பரந்த நெடுந் தாள் யாத்து,
போழ் வளி முழங்கும், புல்லென் உயர்சினை,
முடை நசை இருக்கைப் பெடை முகம் நோக்கி,
ஊன் பதித்தன்ன வெருவரு செஞ் செவி
எருவைச் சேவல் கரிபு சிறை தீய,
வேனில் நீடிய வேய் உயர் நனந்தலை,
நீ உழந்து எய்தும் செய்வினைப் பொருட் பிணி
பல் இதழ் மழைக் கண் மாஅயோள்வயின்
பிரியின் புணர்வதுஆயின் பிரியாது,
ஏந்து முலை முற்றம் வீங்க, பல் ஊழ்
சேயிழை தெளிர்ப்பக் கவைஇ, நாளும்
மனைமுதல் வினையொடும் உவப்ப,
நினை மாண் நெஞ்சம்! நீங்குதல் மறந்தே.

In this trip to the drylands, it’s all in the mind and the man says these words to his heart which has been pestering him to leave the lady and go in search of wealth:

“In those deserted paths of the drylands, where the rays spread the heat, as the splitting hot wind roars, upon the dried-up, tall branch of a scorched, thick-trunked ‘Ya’ tree, sits a female red-headed vulture sitting there, yearning for meat. Looking at the face of its mate, a fearsome, male red-headed vulture, having ear flaps, akin to hanging pieces of flesh, making its black wings burn, roves about, in those wide spaces, filled with bamboos, during that unending summer. 

O my noble heart, with much hardship and suffering, the task of earning wealth, by parting away from the dark-skinned maiden, with many-petalled, rain-like eyes, may provide you with the wealth you seek. However, you should think of not parting from her, but instead embrace her many times, making her upraised bosom swell and those well-etched ornaments tinkle, and focus on fulfilling the responsibilities in the home with much joy!”

Time to take a hot walk amidst the searing drylands! The man starts by imagining what his journey in the drylands will look like, and talks about the desolate paths, where no one treads, where there’s nothing but heat, heat and more heat. Here, a red-headed vulture, strikingly sketched with its red ear flaps, placed in parallel with hanging pieces of meat, takes a look at the face of its female, sitting atop a dried-up ‘Ya’ tree branch, and decides it must go fetch some meat from somewhere, and takes to the skies, making its black wings burn. In such a place, where summer has decided to put up its legs and overstay its welcome, he is expected to traverse, the man says, and connects that has been the wish of his heart. He accepts that such a challenging journey might bring the wealth desired. Taking the alternate track, the man concludes by advising his heart to stop thinking about parting with the lady but instead be in the moment and relish embracing her and delight in the responsibilities at home! We can observe a classic case of decision-making in this verse, where the man visualises both alternatives and decides firmly in favour of one. Reminds me of a ‘Pros’ and ‘Cons’ list many of us may have attempted, when standing at the crossroads of our life!