குறள் மேல் வைப்பு வெண்பா - 6

குறள்  கருத்து மேல் வைப்பு வெண்பா - 6

Thiruvalluvar has devoted a chapter for FRIENDSHIP . The 10 verses in this chapter talk about different aspects of friendship. The particular Kural I have chosen explains how in friendship  “emotional connect “ is more important than “physical closeness”. This aspect of friendship is exemplified by the story of King Koperunch chozhan and his friend poet Pissiraanthaiyaar. The King ruled the Chola Kingdom and the poet was living in the Pandiya Nadu,

The King himself was a learned poet . He had heard about the poetic prowess of Pisiraanthaiyar and had developed a deep respect for him . Likewise , the tamil loving and erudite king had found a place in the heart of the poet pissiraanthaiyaar. though both have not met each other,  a keen friendship  had blossomed between them, through their love for Tamil.

Due to differences with his son on matters of state, the King renounced his kingdom and also decided to renounce his life by

undertaking a fast. This custom was known as Vadakkiruththal. ( வடக்கிருத்தல்) When  he embarked on this, his friend Pisiranthaiyar  heard about it and as a mark of his friendship, he joined the king in this ritual and sacrificed his life too. This indeed, is true friendship.

I have captured the story of this friendship in the first two lines of the Kural Melvaippu Venba , with the Kural which enunciates  the concept of  emotional connect being more important than  physical closeness, forming the next two lines.

கோப்பெருஞ் சோழனைக் காணாதே  நட்பான 
பாப்புனையும்  ஆந்தையார் சோழனோ டேமாண்டார்
புணர்ச்சி பழகுதல் வேண்டா உணர்ச்சிதான்
நட்பாங் கிழமை தரும்.

Here are the English versions ---

 by Rev. Pope

Not association constant , not affections taken bind

Ties the unison of feeling friends, unites of kindred mind.

by Suddhanandha Bharathiyr

No close living, nor clasping grip

friendships’ feeling heart’s fellowship

 The Meaning 

Living together and holding constant interactions are not necessary (for friendship)

Mutual understanding alone can create a claim for it.

For a more detailed version of the story of Koperunchozhan and Pisiranthaiyaar, you can got to this link.

https://sangamtamilliterature.wordpress.com/friendship-koperuncholan-and-pisiranthaiyar/

Hope you like it.

Please share it and help propagate the beauty of Thiriukkural - the Veda in verse.

 

அன்புடன் 

ரமேஷ்