Indian Antiquary Vol 28

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 39

FEBRUARY, 1899.] NOTES ON THE TAMIL ANTHOLOGY OF ANCIENT SONGS. 31
This is another of his songs in praise of his king (67) :
O lordly male-swan! lordly male-swan! Like the bright face of the king, who after gaining the victory, and slaying his foes, Is gracious to his own land, rises the moon, two parts dark, and two parts light. So shines he in the evening hour, while we are troubled in our wanton idleness. Thoa, having fed upon the grain that grows by the ford of Kumari's stream, Goest northward to Himalaya's mount. Happy in thy flight thou mayest linger in the Cora Land, And with thy dear one mayest alight on the upper balcony of stately home of Urraiyar. Stay not to ask the warder's leave, - unhindered enter the palace; and when the great
king Killi asks who thou art, Say only, I come from neath the feet of Anthai of the great town of Pigir'; And forthwith he will give thee rich jewels, that shall delight the heart of her the
noble love.
Against Arbitrary Taxation. . The following is one of the very few songs of Piciranthaiyar nos connected with Kô-PerumÇôran. There was a young prince, called the learned Pandiyan Nambi, who was of the Madura dynasty, and renowned for his learning; but, it might seem, rather disposed to be tyrannical in governinent. It runs as follows (184):
* If an elephant take mouthfuls of ripe grain cut for it,
The twentieth part of an acre will yield it food for many days; But if it enter a hundred fertile fields, with no keeper, Its foot will trample down much moro than its mouth receives. So if a wise king, who knows the path of right take just his due, His land will prosper, yielding myriadfold. But, if the king, not softened by his knowledge, take just what he desires, Nor heed prescription's rale, feasting with song and dance Amid his court and kindred, and show no love to his subjects; Like the field that elephant entered,
His kingdom will perish, and he himself will lose his all.' Pottiyar was sent back by his king, and bidden come ngain when his son had been born. On his arrival at the spot, when some years had elapsed, he found the place where his memorial was to be erected, and it seems as if it were the place where he like his beloved king and late companion was to end his days by voluntary abstinence from food. This is supposed to be his song addressed to his late master and friend (and sure they were not words of love !) (222)
You said, " Go back, and come when she whose footsteps leave
Your shadow never, she adorned with radiant gems, Your well-beloved, has borne you son of glorious worth." Sare you forgot the friendship 'twixt us twain, - But no, I was not so forgotten, much-loved one! Where is the place designed for me?
A shade to many wert thou, the world extolled thy fame. Thou didst remember life to come And so didst all renounce, And here a stone is all that's left of thee; Yet those like thee, when soul is severed from the frame, Forget not ancient friendship, when their friends draw near,