Kambaramayanam – 9370
When day by day like a waxing moon you grew,
I undertook an austere vow
to see Indra defeated by the bow you drew;
What vow did I undertake now
to see your beheaded body, what did I do!
Will I, an abject soul, still desire this impermanent life?
கலையினால் திங்கள் என்ன
வளர்கின்ற காலத்தே உன்,
சிலையினால் அரியை வெல்லக்
காண்பதோர் தவம்முன் செய்தேன்;
தலை இலா ஆக்கை காண
எத் தவம் செய்தேன்! அந்தோ!
‘நிலை இலா வாழ்வை இன்னும்
நினைவெனோ, நினைவு இலாதேன்?
Indrajit (one who defeated Indra) has been defeated in the battle with Rama and beheaded. A grief stricken Ravana goes to the battlefield and brings his son’s headless body back. On seeing Indrajit’s body, his mother Mandodari laments and castigates herself in pity. This is one of the verses in that chapter.
“When you were growing up as an young man like a growing moon, I prayed to God to see you defeat Indra and undertook austere vows. What austere vow did I undertake to see your headless body, my son? Should I, a thoughtless woman and an abject soul, still desire to live this impermanent life. Won’t it be better if I die now”
The last line ‘நிலை இலா வாழ்வை இன்னும் நினைவெனோ’ – ‘Will I still desire this impermanent life’ is a perfect example of alliteration and meaning coming together in Kamban’s poetry.
கலை – with skills
திங்கள் – moon
சிலை – bow
அரி – Indra
ஆக்கை – யாக்கை – body
Old Tamil Poetry 