Old Tamil Poetry

Kamba Ramayanam – 516

As their desirous gaze bound them
like a rope and drew their hearts close,
He, armed with a bow, and She, with sword like eyes,
entered into each other’s heart.

பருகிய நோக்கு எனும் பாசத்தால் பிணித்து,
ஒருவரை ஒருவர் தம் உள்ளம் ஈர்த்தலால்,
வரி சிலை அண்ணலும் வாள் கண் நங்கையும்
இருவரும் மாறிப் புக்கு இதயம் எய்தினார்.

From Kamba Ramayanam, where Rama and Sita meet for the first time as Rama enters Mithilai. Sita is standing in the balcony while Rama is walking along the streets. They both look at each other and it is love at first sight. This is Kamban’s invention as the original Valmiki Ramayana doesn’t have this sequence.  Kamban is a master of metaphors and similes. Desirous gaze is a rope that binds them both and pulls their heart closer. Hence both of them enter each other’s heart. Sita’s eyes are sharp and shapely like a sword. Rama carries a bow, so each of them is armed.