ABOUT THE POEM: The poet praises the generosity of Lord Maran, comparing him to Lord Vishnu, who grants whatever is wished by those who praise him in the poem titled COUNSEL TO A GENEROUS KING . He then offers counsel: when conquering enemy lands, it is acceptable for warriors to seize crops, burn villages, or even kill enemy soldiers. However, the king must not destroy the protective trees of the land, for those very trees will later serve as posts to tether his elephants.The poem exalts the king’s generosity and advises him with strategic wisdom—destroy what you will in war but spare what may serve your strength in the future.
COUNSEL TO A GENEROUS KING
Be he mighty in strength,
or lowly among men—
whoever lifts his tongue in praise,
the Lord of Illusions grants him
all that his heart would seek.
And thou, O Maran,
peerless in bounty,
giver as freely as the god Himself,
heed now my counsel.
When thou marchest upon alien lands,
let thine host seize the ripened fields,
let them consume the towns with fire,
let them smite the warriors of the spear
till silence reigns.
All this may they do,
yet one command I lay upon thee:
spare the guardian trees
that stand sentinel in the foe’s domain.
For their steadfast trunks
shall serve thee well—
the binding posts
for thy lordly elephants,
the anchors of thy triumph.
Thus is the wisdom spoken:
Abandon all, if thou must,
yet never cast aside
that which hides within itself
the power of thy future strength.
PURANANURU - 57
POET: KAVIRIPPUMPATTINATTHU KARIKKANNANAR
PATRON: PANDIYAN NANMARAN WHO RESIDED AT ILAVANDIGAIPALLI.
