Question

In this composition from the Puranaruru, one of the anthologies of poems of the Tamil Sangam literature (c. first century CE), a bard describes his patron to other poets thus: He (i.e. the patron) doesn’t have the wealth to lavish on others every day Nor does he have the pettiness to say that he has nothing and so refuse! ... he lives in Irantai (a place) and is generous. He is an enemy to the hunger of bards! If you wish to cure your poverty, come along with me, bards whose lips are so skilled! If we request him, showing him our ribs thin with hunger, he will go to the blacksmith of his village And will say to that man of powerful hands: “Shape me a long spear for war, one that has a straight blade!”

1. What are the strategies which the bard uses to try and persuade the chief to be generous?
2. What is the chief expected to do to acquire wealth in order to give some to the bards?

Answer 1

1. The strategies which the bard uses to try to persuade the chief to be generous are as follows:
   1. Praising His Character: He highlights that the chief lacks pettiness and never turns away anyone in need.
   2. Showing Physical Distress: He visually displays the poet’s ribs, which are thin and visible from extreme hunger.
   3. Appealing to Professional Skill: He reminds the chief of their talent as bards with “lips so skilled.”
   4. Labelling Him a Protector: He frames the chief as a natural “enemy to the hunger of bards.”
2. The chief expected to do to acquire wealth in order to:
   1. Commission Weaponry: He is expected to visit the village blacksmith immediately.
   2. Order War Equipment: He demands a “long spear for war” featuring a straight blade.
   3. Wage Military Campaigns: He must launch a raid or battle against neighbouring territories.
   4. Plunder and Redistribute: He acquires resources through warfare to feed the poets and eliminate their poverty.