Old Tamil Poetry

Kalingathu p Parani 13

பூமாதுஞ் சயமாதும் பொலிந்து வாழும்
புயத்திருப்ப மிகவுயரத் திருப்பள் என்று
நாமாதும் கலைமாதும் என்னச் சென்னி
நாவகத்துள் இருப்பாளை நவிலு வாமே.

As Goddesses of wealth and victory
Reside in Kulothunga’s mighty arms
Above them shall I be says the Goddess of words
And resides in his tongue – let me sing her praise!

This poem is part of the invocation to gods in the beginning of Kalingathup Parani, a 11th century work detailing the victory of Chola Army over Kalinga. The poet says “Kulothunga’s arms are powerful and mighty, in which reside the goddesses of wealth (earth) and victory. The goddess of words considers herself above them and hence resides in his tongue. Let me sing her praise before starting my work”

The poet subtly places the power of words over sword is my interpretation of this poem.

பூமாது – goddess of earth (wealth)
சயமாது – goddess of victory
பொலிந்து – grand (mighty)
புயம் – arms
மிக உயரத்து – Much above
நாமாது – goddess of words
கலைமாது – goddess of arts
சென்னி – Chola King (Kulothungan in this poem)
நாவகம் – inside his tongue
நவில் – tell (sing her praise)