Episode 01 - Chapter4-Ayodhya's-Governance.

CHAPTER 4 - “அரசியற் படலம்”- GOVERNANCE (IN AYODHYA)

Now on to “அரசியற் படலம்” the chapter on the imperial governance of Ayodhya and Kosala.

Kamban compares the ruler of Ayodhya to a few aspects of human life:

தாய் ஒக்கும் அன்பின்; தவம் ஒக்கும் நலம் பயப்பின்;

சேய் ஒக்கும். முன் நின்று ஒரு செல் கதி உய்க்கும் நீரால்;

நோய் ஒக்கும் என்னின் மருந்து ஒக்கும்; நுணங்கு கேள்வி

ஆயப் புகுங்கால். அறிவு ஒக்கும்;- எவர்க்கும் அன்னான்.

Mother’s love is the supreme form of love in life -  “தாயினும் சாலப்பரிந்து” "பெற்ற தாயினும் ஆயின் செய்யும்" are expressions that exalt mother’s love next only to the limitless love and compassion of the Almighty.  Dasaratha’s love for his subjects – each one of them –  is eqauated with mother’s love by the poet. In looking after the welfare and comfort of his subjects, he was like their own individual good penance and prayers. He was also their dutiful and loving son(s) who stood by his/their elderly parents in their evening years and ensured that they reached their heavenly abodes by sincerely and correctly performing the last rites due to them. He was also their best counselor – the  very knowledge sought through research of various branches of learning and education.  

வயிர வான் பூண்.அணி மடங்கல் மொய்ம்பினான்.

உயிர் எலாம் தன் உயிர் ஒக்க ஓம்பலால்.

செயிர் இலா உலகினில். சென்று. நின்று வாழ்

உயிர் எலாம் உறைவது ஓர் உடம்பு ஆயினான்.

Emperor Dasaratha, bejeweled with ornaments set with glittering diamonds (ornaments worthy of the Gods,)*and resembling a lion in physique and strength, because of his intense and selfless love and affection for all his subjects, with his attitude of considering each one of the lives under his care as his own, was like the very desired and honourable body,  providing all the pleasures and comforts, for all those lives.

The body is the facilitator of sense pleasures for human lives. The King is the facilitator for the subjects' comfort and unbridled opportunities for seeking their own pleasures and contentment, by providing not only peace and safety apart from the life opportunities of abundance, but also playing the roles of the loving mother, doting/devoted sons, healer and counsellor as we saw in the previous verse. Hence the allegory .

*(The reference is interpreted to mean the “VAAGU VALAYAM” – an ornament that adorned the broad shoulders of Gods and Emperors of repute.