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home life among the sangam age v2

133
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The beginning of civilisation is still a matter of speculation. But it is an undeniable fact that India is a very ancient land and that the Dravidians inhabited the country long before the Aryan immigration. The Dravidians were a mighty race who could boast of a culture and civilisation exclusively their own and of great antiquity. Even after centuries of contact with the Aryans, the Dravidians maintained to a considerable extent their independent culture, which can be said to have survived even to this day. This Is strongly borne out by the Sangam literature. The San-gam works no doubt were the results of long contact and mutual influence and intermixture with the Aryans but a definite vein of pure Dravidian civilisation is also notice. able throughout the works. The stretch of time during which the Sangam literature, now available to us, had been nurtured is not precisely determinable. It was not written by one individual but is the work contributed by many authors at different times and developed by stages. It consists of two parts, i.e., Aham and Puram. Aham was love-poetry and Puram concerned itself mainly with war themes. The regions of lofty hills and thickly shaded hill slopes, the sparsely covered pasture lands, the green fields and the broad expanse of the sandy shores were the scenes of their theme. Though one region merged into the other imperceptibly, yet each was remarkable for its individual charms-ter. The hills, magnificent witnesses of creation, afforded the inhabitants a scope for manifesting unsophisticated love and untainted pleasure. Young people could roam CHAPTER II HOME AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Woman is the fountain-bead of love. She was free, independent and the equal of man and she was treated, with uniform courtesy and respect. She was not a mere household beast of burden. She was the

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Sangam Early Tamil

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CHAPTER IINTRODUCTIONThe beginning of civilisation is still a matter of speculation !ut it is an un"eniable fact that In"ia is a ver# ancient lan" an" that the Dravi"ians inhabite" the countr# long before the Ar#an immigration The Dravi"ians $ere a might# race $ho coul" boast of a culture an" civilisation e%clusivel# their o$n an" of great anti&uit# Even after centuries of contact $ith the Ar#ans' the Dravi"ians maintaine" to a consi"erable e%tent their in"epen"ent culture' $hich can be sai" to have survive" even to this "a# This Is strongl# borne out b# the (angam literature The (an)gam $or*s no "oubt $ere the results of long contact an" mutual in+uence an" intermi%ture $ith the Ar#ans but a "e,nite vein of pure Dravi"ian civilisation is also notice able throughout the $or*sThe stretch of time "uring $hich the (angam literature' no$ available to us' ha" been nurture" is not precisel# "eterminable It $as not $ritten b# one in"ivi"ual butis the $or* contribute" b# man# authors at "i-erent times an" "evelope" b# stages It consists of t$o parts' ie' Aham an" Puram Aham $as love)poetr# an" Puram concerne" itself mainl# $ith $ar themesThe regions of loft# hills an" thic*l# sha"e" hill slopes' the sparsel# covere" pasturelan"s' the green ,el"s an" the broa" e%panse of the san"# shores $ere the scenes of their theme Though one region merge" into the other imperceptibl#' #et each $as remar*able for its in"ivi"ual charms)ter The hills' magni,cent $itnesses of creation' a-or"e" the inhabitants a scope for manifesting unsophisticate" love an" untainte" pleasure .oung people coul" roamCHAPTER IIHO/E AND IT( CON(TITUENT(0oman is the fountain)bea" of love (he $as free' in"epen"ent an" the e&ual of man an" she $as treate"' $ith uniform courtes# an" respect (he $as not a mere househol" beast of bur"en (he $as the in"ispensable an" the vital half of man (he $as hel" in reverence an" a"oration in the Tamil lan" of the (angam ageThe beautiful stor# of T$ashtri sho$s bo$ he create" $oman to be the 1o# an" pain of man 2 In the beginning $hen T$ashtri came to the creation of $oman' he foun" that he ha" e%hauste" his materials in the ma*ing of man an" that no soli" elements $ere left In this "ilemma' after profoun" me"itation' he "i" as follo$s 3 He too* the rotun"it# of the moon' an" the curves of the creepers' an" the clinging of ten"rils' an" the trembling of grass' an" the slen"erness of the ree"' an" the bloom of +o$ers' an" the lightness of leaves' an" the tapering of the elephant4s trun* an" the glances of the "eer' an" the clustering of ro$s of bees' an" the 1o#ousgaiet# of sunbeams' an" the $eeping of clou"s an" the ,c*leness of the $in"s an" the timi"it# of the hare an" the vanit# of the peacoc* an" the softness of the parrot4s bosom an" the har"ness of a"amant an" the s$eetness of hone# an" the cruelt# of the tiger an" the $arm glo$ of the ,re an" the col"ness of sno$ an" the chattering of 1a#s an" the cooing of *o*ila an" the h#pocris# of the crane an" the ,"elit# of the cha*ra$a*a 5 an" compoun"ing all these together he ma"e $oman 2 an" gave her to man !ut after one $ee*' man came to him an" sai"3 4 6or"' this creature that #ou have given me teases me be#on" en"urance' never leaving me alone an" she re&uires incessant attention an" ta*es all m# time up an" cries aboutnothing an" is al$a#s i"le 5 an" so I have come to give her bac* again as I cannot live $ith her (o T$ashtriHO/E AND IT( CON(TITUENT( 7sai" 3 4 8er# $ell4 5 an" he too* her bac* Then after another $ee*' man came again to him an" sai" to him 3 46or" I ,n" that m# life is ver# lonel# since I gave #ou bac* that creature I remember ho$ she use" to "ance an" sing to me an" loo* at me outof the corner of her e#e an" pla# $ith me an" cling to me 5 an" her laughter $as music an" she $as beautiful to loo* at an" soft to touch 5 so give her bac* to me again4 (o T$ashtri sai" 3 4 8er# $ell4 an" gave her bac* again Then' after onl# three"a#s' man came bac* to him again an" sai" 3 46or" 4 I *no$ not ho$ it is 5 but after all I have come to the conclusion that she is more of a trouble than a pleasure to me3 so please ta*e her bac* again 3 !ut T$ashtri sai" 3 4Out on #ou 9 !e o- 9 I $ill have no more of this .ou must manage ho$ #ou can4 The man sai" 3 4!ut I cannot live $ith her4 An" T$ashtri replie" 3 4Neither coul" #ou live $ithout her4 An" he turne" his bac* on man an" $ent on $ith his $or* Then man sai" 3 :0ho t is to be "one 9 ;or I cannot live either $ith or $ithout her 942!ut o$ing to the change of time an" circumstances $oman came to be regar"e" as a source of pain an" sorro$ more than of an#thing else The birth of a female chil" $as thought to be an a utGF'or car rtgorKT'&G Hurs''s Hror a+uArarri Hsrreira FOB?JCF Hef)eJB?G??M?7? Harai) aluvr emus sur rnrr go7'@? atG'Dr#7ricor uGfgao C"coarcoaSA7FB@J 2@ The Hol"en !ough 8ol II' pp @@G?F HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(catch of ,sh or crops4 The# $ent on s$ings onl# because it gave them pleasure In the maritime regions the s$ings $ere hung from the branches of nalal an" talai trees b# creepers $hile on the hills the# $ere hung near the millet ,el"s Even to)"a# in man# homes in (outh In"ia the s$ing slung from rafters b# iron or brass chains forms the chief article of furniture In North In"ia in the month of /arch the Hin"us observe a s$inging festival for 6or" Irishna' $hose image is place" in the seat or cra"le of a s$ing an" $ith the brea* of "a$n is roc*e" gentl# to an" fro several times In (outh In"ia' s$inging of the bri"e an" bri"egroom forms one of therites in marriage ceremon# In the temples of (outh In"ia' it is a ver# common thing to see the images of "eities Kmale an" femaleJ place" si"e b# si"e as in marriage an" roc*e" to an" fro;rom ol"en times Cirriliilaittal or buil"ing to#)houses has been a favourite pastime $ith girls In later times' it $as ma"e the sub1ect matter of a species of composition *no$n as Usal an" one of the topics of Pillai)Tamil 0here a go""ess such as /eena*shi is the heroine' she is spo*en of as a chil" an" all the stages of chil"hoo" are sung Cirrililaittal forms one of the stages Narrinai ?A= tells us of ,sher)girls buil"ing to#)houses an" "ecorating them $ith great eclat The mai" of the hills en1o#e" it no less Iapilar sa#s ho$ a tin# girl built a to#)house' an" ho$ the bo# $ho later became her lover "estro#e" it!all)game ha" been love" b# In"ian girls of all ages ;re&uent mention is ma"e of this in (ans*rit literature /ahabharata sa#s ho$ Canta pla#e" $ith her ba??A Perumpannarru)pa"ai gives a vivi" picture of the girls pla#ing $ith balls K=AD)===J 2The girls $earing "elicate or ,ne? The Hol"en !ough' 8ol II' p @@GA /ahabarata III ???)??B5 !hagavata Puranam' 8III ?A)?7HIR6HOOD ??sil* "resses an" glittering ornaments fris*e" about' their an*lets tin*ling' tosse" an"struc* the ornamente" ball42 This gives us brie+# an i"entical picture of $hat is given in Daca)Iumara Caritam4 The mo"e of pla#ing seems to have been the same'for Ian"u*avatil is sai" to have pla#e" the ball)game b# "irecting its movement $ith her han" Ialitogai 7D con,rms this2 The balls use" seeme" to have been ver#,nel# coloure" as the# are al$a#s referre" to in Tamil literature as 8arip)pan"u Kball $ith stripesJ as in /ahabharata III K??A)?AFJThe game of LIalangu4 seems to be similar to the mo"ern game of ,ve stones 47 Ialangu is pla#e" $ith ,ve or seven small stones or $ith the see"s of Huilan"ia *no$n as molucca beans /ollucca beans are calle" Ialangu in Tamil an" from that the name of the game is obtaine" (ometimes these see"s seeme" to have been replace" b# gol" ones as in Porum)Pannarru Pa"aiB 6i*e ,ve stones4 the see"s are thro$n in the air an" caught on the bac* of the palm an" ii the pla#er "oes not succee" in catching them all together' those that fall on the groun" have to be pic*e" up $ith the ,ngers An alternative form is' one see" is thro$n up $hile the rest are place" on the groun"' the former is then caught in the palm an" thro$n again for being caught a secon" time $ith those place" on the groun" collecte" in the palm mean$hile As the# toss the see"s' the# sing a particular song As Pollu% of Nau*ratis KAD ?OFJ sa#s 2 it is more especiall# a game of? Perum Panarru pa"ai II =AD)===A Dace Cumara Caritam ) Iale' pp ?7F)?7?= The $or" Ian"u*am itself means a ball of $oo" or pith for pla#ing $ith KRefJ !hartruhari an" Raghuvamaam@ Iali)t)togai 7D7 A (pell of 0or"s b# 6 Ec*enstein' p DDB Perum)pan arvu pa"ai?A HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6($omen24 An improve" form of this game is 2 ammanai'2 $hich is in vogue at present It is pla#e" $ith hollo$ brass balls' about the siUe of a lemon' ,lle" $ith tin# pebbles or pellets The usual number of the balls is eleven or thirteen an" all of them are tosse" into the air continuousl# one after another an" the pla#er tr#ing to *eep them all in the air b# "e%terousl# thro$ing them again as the# "rop The success lies in preventing an# of them from falling to the groun" This game' as a specialit# of $omen' has not been mentione" in ancient literature but has foun" a place in the literature of a later perio" /ani**avasagar in his Tiruvasagam sings the praises of his 6or" b# the song of the mai"s pla#ing ammanai The song is *no$n as Ammanai)p)pattu an" is in the "uet formOccupation of the Hirls 3 Along $ith her merr#ma*ing the girl of the Tamil lan" has to "o her bit in the running of the home (he ha" to help her parents in $atching the ,el"s4 or in "r#ing the ,sh4 or in mar*eting4 0e ,n" a mai" of the Nei"al lan"' going to the suburb selling 2 a measure of salt for a measure of rice'2 (ometimes these ,sher)girls "eeme" their salt to be too goo" even for pearls /ost probabl# pearls $ere not so much in "eman" as salt in those regions The ,sher men ha" their "aughters to $atch the salte" ,sh4It $as "uring these occupations that the# amuse" themselves $ith games The girlsbelonging to the hill# tracts? A (pell of 0or"s' p DDA Iuruntogai DA5 ?GD 5 === 5 Narrinai AD 5 Ahern AO 5 ?AB =FA 5 Ani*urunuru AO== Aham AF@ Aham ?@F7 Aham =@FHIR6HOOD ?=of the Tamil lan"' ha" to $atch over the millet ,el"s an" guar" them from such un$elcome guests as sparro$s' parrots' etc4 The# "rove these bir"s a$a# $ith slings or rattles A66B=J?>> Kbamboo split into thin piecesJ Iurinci)ppattu' ll =7)?FB gives the account of a Iurava)girl $atching over a millet ,el" from the loft built nearit In Aham AO' the mai" in or"er to $arn the heroine tells her that if she $ere to neglect her "ut# as a $atcher' her mother might stop her ne%t "a# If that $ere to happen she might not be able to meet her lover as fre&uentl# as before Therefore she remin"e" the girl to "rive the parrots a$a# b# ma*ing a peculiar noise an" to soun" her rattle oftener4 The shepher"ess in Tamil lan"' after the manner of the mil*)mai" else$here' ha" to ten" her +oc*' mil* her co$s an" be in charge of her "air# /ullai)*)*ali $hich "eals e%clusivel# $ith the life of the shepher"s tells us ho$these mai"s occupie" themselves on their farms In (ila)p)pa"i*aram' A"ai**ala Iatai' /a"avi' the shepher"ess ha" to suppl# the ro#al palace $ith the re&uire" amount of butter an" clari,e" ghee on speci,e" "a#sThe (eclusion of Hirls 3 In the carefree chil" romping about the hills or the river ban*s' the mother4s shre$" e#es coul" perceive the subtle changes that $oul" soontransform her into a be$itchingl# beautiful mai"en The ever)$atchful mother $oul"carefull# note these changes an" see that the girl "i" not $an"er be#on" the precincts of the house (he $oul" tell her most suavel# 2 Thine breasts are ,lling up3 sharp thorn)li*e teeth are $hitening 3 thou art cla" in the garment of leaves !e notseen about $ith th# nois# ban"' for the hoar# cit# hath "emons man# 3 $ear thou this charm 3 step #e not be#on"'? Iuruntogai AGD?@ HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(for thou art no more a pet*ai but a pethumbai 24 The last t$o lines give the e%planatiotr for the internment of the girl (he ha" passe" the pethai stage' an" hasreache" that of pethumbai K?A)?@J This is the average time of pubert# among the In"ian girls The mother *ept the girl con,ne" to the house either on her attainmentof pubert# or in imme"iate anticipation of the eventThe seclusion of girls at their ,rst menstruation is foun" to have been prevalent among almost all the ancient peoples of the $orl" Even to)"a# in (outh In"ia $hen girls attain their pubert# the# are *ept aloof in a separate part of the house for a fe$ "a#s an" are not allo$e" to touch an#thing or an#one Among some castes a separate but ma"e of green palm leaves is erecte" for the girl b# her maternal uncle an" she is *ept there $ith an ol" $oman to atten" to her nee"s The taboo on her e%ten"s to a perio" of ?B "a#s after $hich she is given a cleansing bath an" is recalle" to her normal "uties The popular balla" of 4/athurai 8eeras$am#4 gives aninteresting account of this custom 2!ommi' the "aughter of the chief' attaine" her pubert# On that occasion !oorman' the father of !ommi' ha" a but put up for her ina place to the $est of the to$n an" ha" it "ecorate" $ell He ha" his "aughter !ommi installe" there $ith all comforts an" left the cobbler Chinnan to guar" the but an" the mai" $ithin Even the bir"s of the air' animals of the forest an" reptiles of the earth shoul" not be allo$e" to approach her He must? Ahem D r#JItuSo@c7 Hg ui is or cp ear avuG 6Bvau error p A"a r BsJ 6b aim 6ANJ 6ti66l B???)FK7 B?J tuH6orr n) a Atith t>rr @?$K?? ? 6 ??@ FJ?)p U crises3HiS KT'aoarru6icrJ uctisr&>g"p OF??)?S?th CLMrrsavlens tu,v OiF C(rnsnpbrurst g arm aor =?)?@?Sthioni2 Hibil"iata 6IPSAH3lb$2HIR6HOOD ?7neither slumber nor rela% the guar" on account of $in" or $eather' "ar*ness or light an" he $as as*e" to guar" her thus for =F "a#sg tioUir'@Bpfh K6i trBfsi5J ur+arroarKA' 6I IID6IJBD?=T 1UoJ??Mg B7 BBT uJ'$Hinr?F tuth$ri)HBn)7BrtiaN?rF'F?ori)Or*sG55i4'7=D)C$sJ *omaS'VNoar Hun) maga giniJ FF?)@M'i'g Cuo'iJA9c G=K7@? ATIr5H4B?JSMeABCDe; Ig?GB20rT ostA'?G> tiabrurr=6ni)6i3(v iii$TG'art5F In" BW?=@'E@ Heriiignmaisi7? $tri5''EclilocireUeQoar a6traicou Ag"A Atrg#i>Cloar 22L =i'?J'Qpiti' 'p? va8eUo@6iciJI I6 t? I M al?D ob r ?'V elJ HCE D )76? onurrupb1J '?F 'V gist> 6IX B?T 6I TIDB?JTi iiJKA36>IT B7?G) cie a@'BN7BBirN6tobBBT'iJ'$$$Jip aubBUFY'h'e=r'G? "( aS7?J Xia C6M SD EB T6SJB?J*igt>?K '7BF'i'sAaU"#r Tth'F='3i CinSDoiJ@NB6?7J) rbrp'QDth E6;?=GQ'7@Hrriac5%= 5VTosi,=i7?tau tiSRori5ttirrsir Bi'555TeC2ZG=D 6S 6MARS???FD??@ fTiAD7SDS6StrilAgain after the perio" of taboo' the girl $as recalle" to her father4s house $ith greatpomp The cleansing ceremon# $as "one $ith the help of !rahmin priests' an" at the en"' a great feast $as hel" in honour of the occasion 2 After the perio" of ?F "a#s' the but is burnt "o$n an" her clothes are given a$a# to the "hobi The girl is given fresh clothes an" is brought home ami"st timbrels an" music Among the Xulus' a girl at her ,rst menstruation has to cover her hea" $ith a blan*et so that she ma# not be seen 5 for if she sees the shining orb of the s*ies' she $oul" shrivel into a s*eleton /ost naturall# this in"uces her to *eep herself $ell covere"4 The people of Ne$ Irelan" are more careful /ost probabl# the# fear that much harm coul" be? The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ' Ch AF?B HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6("one in the short interval bet$een the attainment of pubert# an" the con,nement of the girl To minimise the "isastrous e-ect the# *eep the girls con,ne" from earl# #ears li*e eight or nine till the# are ta*en out onl# to be marrie"4 The .arai*anna tribe of Cape .or* Peninsula' North Rueenslan"' are more li*e the (outh In"ians in their custom Among them' the girl at pubert# has to live b# herself for a month or si% $ee*s During that perio" no man can see her (he shoul" not see the sun lest her nose shoul" be "isease"4 Again among the Noot*a In"ians of 8ancouver Islan"s' the girl is not allo$e" to see the (un or the ,re ;or this reason she is hel" up in a sort of galler# covere" all roun" $ith mats4 (he has to remain in this state for "a#s together (he ma# not touch an#thing or an# part of her bo"#The seclusion of girls at their ,rst menstruation from the in+uence of the (un seemsalso to have ha" its origin in the belief that the ra#s of the (un possess a fertilising e-ect The stor# of Iunti' the mother of Pan"avas in the /ahabharata' provi"es a parallel Iunti $as having her ,rst menstruation $hen she behel" the shining orb in all its splen"our= The conse&uence of this chil"ish in&uisitiveness $as the birth of the invincible Iarna A counterpart of this stor# is foun" in the Hree* legen" of Danae The Iing ha" been tol" that if she shoul" see the ra#s of the (un' she $oul" melt a$a# (o he ha" her con,ne" in a subterranean to$er' but in spite of it' Xeus reache" her in the form of a sho$er of gol" an" impregnate" her The sho$er of gol" most probabl# refers to the gol"en ra#s of? The Hol"en !ough' 4'Abri"ge" e"itionJ' Ch AF A' The Hol"en !ough' 8ol III p AFO= Do "o p A?FHIR6HOOD ?Dthe (un In neither of the stories is the (un mentione" as the source of impregnation .et' from the foregoing e%amples it can be inferre" that some *in" of "rea" $as the cause of the con,nement an" that it might have been the belief in the impregnating e-ect of the (un4s ra#sThe menstruous $oman has been tabooe" among various peoples of the $orl" Among the Ar#ans' she $as loo*e" upon as unclean 0e have man# e%amples of the taboo lai" on such $omen in Alahabharata an" Rama#ana4 In the 0a*elbura tribe of (outh America' a menstruous $oman shoul" not be seen b# an# man An# violation of this rule $as punishable $ith "eathAThe Hebre$ prophet Merem#' $hile con"emning the i"olators' charges them thus 3 2 The menstruous $oman an" the $oman in chil"be" touch their sacri,ces22 The uncleanness laste" among them for seven "a#s an" on the eighth "a# the $oman ha" to cleanse herself ma*ing special o-ering to the priest K6eviticus' Ch ?7' ?G)AOJ Accor"ing to Plin#' 2 the touch of a menstruous $oman turne" $ine to vinegar' blighte" crops' *ille" see"lings' blaste" gar"ens' brought "o$n the fruit from the trees' "imme" mirrors' *ille" bees' cause" mares to miscarr# an" so forth 2 It is believe" that as the garments of the sacre" are full of infection an" *ill those $ho toucn them' so are the clothes of a menstruous $oman 2@ An Australian blac* fello$ $ho "iscovere" that his $ife ha" lain on his blan*et at her menstrual perio" *ille" her an" "ie" of? /ann EI' pp ?D?)?DG/ahabharata E?8' ??B)??G 5 EIII' ?B?)??O Parasara 8II' G)?O5 .agnaval*#a ?' ?BO5 /ar*an"e#a Puranam EEEII' A7A The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ' Ch AF= The Apocr#pha' The Epistle of Merem#@ The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ' p AFD?O HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(terror $ithin a fortnight Hence' Australian $omen "uring those times are forbi""en un"er pain of "eath to touch an#thing that men use or even to trea" the path that man fre&uents?(ome tribes thin* that the ver# sight of a menstruous $oman is "angerous to societ#' an" so the# have special s*in 4covers ma"e for her' $hich hi"e her completel# an" screen her a$a# from the sight of men During that perio" she ma# not touch an#thing' not even vessels for her foo" an" "rin* (he has to "rin* $ater through a bamboo tube4A similar *in" of practice e%ists among the Hin"us also A menstruous $oman is strictl# tabooe"' she ma# not touch an#thing an" is *ept apart The uncleanness lasts for three "a#s After the puri,cator# bath she ta*es up her normal househol" "utiesIn Puram $e have the e%pression KCscria,Mat>T=5m@$riJ K$omen $ho shoul" not touch househol" articlesJ= This e%pression coul" onl# mean $omen $ho $ere ceremoniall# unclean either on account of menstruation or lo$ bit th Evi"ences are $anting to sho$ $hether there e%iste" taboo of the *in" mentione" aboveThe origin of this taboo seems to be the "rea" of the "angerous in+uences suppose" to emanate from the $oman "uring such perio"s To minimise the evil sheis more or less isolate" The evil is at the highest "uring the ,rst menstruation an" therefore she is almost insulate" an" is *ept hel" up in a hammoc* as in (outh America or *ept above the groun" in a narro$ cage as in Ne$ Irelan"' Australia4 Thissuspension bet$een heaven an" earth isI The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ p AFDA Do "o Ch AF= Puram AGG@ The Hol"en !ough 8ol III' p A==HIR6HOOD ?Gto ren"er her incapable of a-ecting the fertilit# of the earth b# touching it or polluting the (un b# gaUing at it It is not onl# for the general goo" that she has to be segregate" but also for personal bene,t ;or' if she shoul" set her e#es on the (un she might be impregnate" as $as Iunti or might shrivel into a s*eleton as the Xulus believe'4 or might be infeste" $ith sores all over her bo"# as /acusis imagine4In short' the girl is vie$e" as charge" $ith a po$erful force $hich' if not *ept $ithin boun"s' ma# prove "estructive both to herself an" to all $ith $hom she comes in contact To repress this force $ithin the limits necessar# for the safet# of all concerne" is the ob1ect of this taboo 22THE P6ACE O; 6O8E IN A HIR64( 6I;EThe girls of the Tamil lan" en1o#e" consi"erable personal free"om $ithin certain limits It has been mentione" earlier in this chapter ho$ #oung mai"ens occupie" themselves b# $atching the millet ,el"s or bartering their ,sh or having a merr# time on the hill slopes or san"s of rivers It $as on occasions li*e these that the ,rst meeting of the lovers too* place' a meeting $hich $as believe" to be brought aboutentirel# b# fate@Na**irar in his commentar# on Ira#anar Ahaporul (utram A sa#s that the meeting oflovers is a "ispensation an" shoul" be compare" $ith the i"ea of the acci"ental meeting of the #o*e an" its pole' the former $ith the bore "rifting in the North (ea an" the latter coming from the (outh (ea an" both getting ,%e" into each other as if b# acci"ent4I The Hol"en !ough' 8ol III Do "o= Do "o@ Puram @F5 Iuruntogai =BB 5 Ahem ??F5 Iuruntogai AAG7 (ee Miva*a Chintamani AD@GAF HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(LN Hut>Bsi>B?GCA> GFgosth 7Fg?E)#rGF'sS=GHSB)MiroSrrAArrii' Curra$ithPeaB Rui"4 Cnem)6B?J ralAistiorrCAfElEIMMHreat stress has been lai" on this acci"ental meeting of lovers' for instance' in the case of the lover $ho $as "elighte" in his love' sa#s 2 our parents have been perfect strangers Nor have $e *no$n each other before this .et our hearts have mingle" 1ust as the $ater running over re")soil imbibes the colour of the soil itselfturrai Ksti)??)?S?J I6IT.T RI6IC=THaiiB/AU)??? H6I/IcIpBDJ'?J@ CciH???D e" I Ot>n"icaltpHa[6i#orou au"i I i HuamHoKu17\B ArrihtsB)?JB Aso)cir&ta' 2?(uch an union4 brought about b# "ivine or"inance or pal as the Tamilians calle" it' $as not mere courtship' It $as union in the full sense of the term an" $as consi"ere" &uite legal The Tamilian societ# accepte" it as a natu ral union There $as no nee" for sacri,cial rites or priests or mantras to ma*e the union vali" in the e#es of the public Nature' the primar# teacher of humanit#' taught them $here true love e%iste" 0ithout the sophistr# born out of length# consi"erations of sin an" propriet# their hearts +o$e" out' as $ater see*s its level an" unite" in the blissful union of #outh an" love This ,rst union $here Nature $aa their o]ciating priest' bir"s their musicians' an" trees an" hills their $itnesses' $as oaile" I#ar*ai Punarchi 4 natural consummation 0hat more is nee"e" to a]rm this event 9 Their securit# la# in the hills' in the bir"s? Iuruntogai @FA This correspon"s to Oan"harva form of marriage of the)Ar#ans (a*untala4s union$ith Dush#anta is an e%cellent e%ampleHIR6HOOD A?that chirpe" b#' in the smiling streamlets an" the glittering stars $hich ha" $in*e" at them As*e" b# her mai" $ho $ere all $ith her at her union' she sa#s &uite innocentl# 3 2 0hile I $as pla#ing $ith m# mai"s on the shore' he came $ith his chariot an" chariot)"river' spo*e $or"s s$eet as hone# an" $ooe" an" left me thereafter 0ho then cou" have been the $itnesses of our union e%cept the san"s' talai plants' an" bir"s Q2 ?This most natural form of union $as not treate" as a #outhful frivolit# It $as as in"issoluble as an# other union prece"e" b# ceremonial rites The mai"ens of the Tamil lan" believe" implicitl# in its vali"it#4 None of the la$)givers either Ar#an or Tamilian have &uestione" its legalit# Tholliappiam sa#s that it is the form of union forme" b# loveIn Iuruntogai =BB the mai" $hile e%plaining to the foster)mother the love episo"e ofher #oung mistress' sa#s' that it is not for them to 1u"ge the propriet# of her actionsfor $hich ;ate alone coul" be hel" responsible4 The passion an" stea"fastness of #outhful an" mai"enl# love have al$a#s been the a"miration of poets 5 for' one of them sa#s coul" an# one un"erstan" the m#ster# of her love Q 6i*e a ten"er stal* hol"ing the heav# fruit her frail bo"# cherishes an immense love4? tu- gal B C( rr6'@ugtn rnrruop 6on)FV7?ovJ lair sae '7-aMg @D'iBF'uJ utr7gu euisABr Hrarri' Raframrt>n)'JrHA B'G bo IMII paJ CD^ un)$aior Ogrr$aiu ?G?GenrCarraJstra$ #Drcrn enUanisui H*o$%n)reil anGsucairCin 2Iuruntogai A75 AB 5 umruucsribsvs arrr+ans C! tog6ITHOIuruntogai A75 AB5A Iuruntogai 7D5 ?GG5 =?=5 ===' =DD5Ain*urunuru Iurinahi)p)pattu II AFG)??Aham ?A3 ?O5= Iuruntogai =OBAA HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6('P'8igestT6IPB HooSI6S?F 7?)=?gla#ribeamir77La?@ g\D'a7D@BJ C0I6a6DIT HI>;RHA2?Another sa#s that her love is greater an" "eeper thanthe sea esfrABiJ 'st>>>B?7?F'Cr Hu-SCA4 Its #o*e $as not consi)"ere" s$eet or its bur"en light' for it meant to them a responsibilit# that ha" been accepte" for life an" perhaps even after "eath One girl sa#s that her love is more vast than the earth 3 loftier than the s*ies boun"less as the $aters of the oceanOu+g'W ap?B)=?4F'vIc#puirii5sBXrr'?'A? e-p 6cur)or BJGBBTg'DJB7F*K=B7S B'?74'=PI3M ?F Co?'77=F_)FHu=BHAB BtfPBA?UZi 7 KBD 6>H 4DFJG 6IH 6i 2=Another poet coul" not even entertain the remotest i"ea of the bon" being bro*en Here' the heroine sa#s :is it possible for our bon" to brea* even if our ar"our of lovema# cease Q4s T6E' HuDirtfai 5IT ??G gpabeBF`B? 6otr$es&p caiFB?7DeiG?tresA Riving on>>HArrt>ri#i Cair FSADC'strr 2@The lover $as the sun of her life' for her heart turne" to him as the +o$er of nerinchi turns to the sun7? Iuruntogai ?OA Narrinai ?BB= Iuruntogai =@ Do @A7 Do =?7Brg'fB= SSJ'0I6S"S Oar 6ir Mf?B?HDes-go FB??BiT $aG HI tu ?B? Ul tnOaJ l7 r 6>Har - uG ???BDT CO K GGFisBKtB@ ai"aruHabair Huoth uOsUtliCAn)CorHIR6HOOD A=It $as a bon"age that boun" them not onl# in this birth but through all their births4 (ome of these mai"ens $ere so #oung an" ine%perience" that the ,rst rush of this passion $holl# absorbe" them One such mai"en' in complete aban"onment' sa#s' even after seeing that m# e#es are losing their lustre' m# $rists getting thinner ma*ing m# bangles slip o- an" m# shoul"ers ben"ing' I am not able to brea* the bon" that I have contracte" $ith him (uch is the ine%plicable nature of the po$er $hich hol"s our frien"ship22 traJCir ?B"ur ss air um) far n t H 7 ITC6IM DAArguiri HDuJ "ot Rr7Ks''cBAsaar rEat upbI6IT'6im# CYD inQagui's B D?J I6 ?Mrr I,l LotG'Gg vu I fAB??? 'X A ?7'D=T Or 63g 2Another' $ith chil"li*e simplicit#' sa#s that it is not "eath that I fear I am onl# afrai"that b# "eath' I ma# lose the consciousness b# $hich I coul" i"entif# m# lover';DV BaD_)TNai B?J er Tee'iJarriG577'7a' ir, ar[ss rrBiJFBu'srir Bs rrAoU OarrorHaM 52To them' love $as life' an" separation meant "eath2 car l$A'7?JcD=D)Ur [airT B?JBBT Ar uD , g 6I I ITC oil V@This natural union $hich secure" each other more strongl# than man)ma"e la$ coul"' forme" the theme of Tamil poets throughout The# calle" this phase of life as aham 4 or sub1ective life an" "ivi"e" it into various phases? Iuruntogai ?GG =?= =D= 5 Ain*urunuru' A 5 Aham ?A)?OA Iuruntogai =GD= Narrinai =GD@ AhamA@ HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(calle" 4 turais 4 It $oul" be a valuable stu"# if $e coul" *no$ the origin of these turai (ome might have been base" on remote inci"ents of life $hile others might have sprung from a vivi" imagination combine" $ith legen" The ,rst of these turais$as' $here the man after seeing the girl an" "ra$n to her b# irresistible love' "esires to converse $ith her He cannot in or"inar# "ecenc# as* $ho she is He has to approach her in a mariner that $oul" not o-en" her inherent "elicac# or mo"est# Therefore' being a hunter' he goes to her companion an" en&uires about the misse" game 5 or sometimes it so happens that fate is partial to him The girls' $hile bathing in the pon"s or rivers slip an" he steps in an" saves them an" thus contracts frien"ship (ometimes his hunting "ogs ma# frighten the girl an" "rive her into his arms4 In all these a"ventures the girl4s companion forms an in"ispensable thir"The Hirl4s /ai" This companion $as al$a#s the "aughter of the foster)rnotherA The# ha" been brought up together an" $ere such inseparables that one learns to i"entif# herself $holl# $ith the other The girl coul" be approache" onl# through themai" (he $as intereste" onl# in the moral an" ph#sical $elfare of her frien" an" in maintaining them (he $oul" ma*e an# personel sacri,ce Her constant atten"ance on her frien" has been "escribe" ver# beautifull# in a stanUa of Iuruntogai The lover' an%ious to gain a"mission to the girl' $atches her movements closel# He sees the companion follo$ing her ever#$here' no$ at the top an" again at the bottom an" at ever# portion of the river in $hich the girl $as s$imming He? serSIg# AH @ HERIT Ir 0IT @?? Ac7 6icUerfrUf i" etcA Tol*appiam Ialari#al =@2HATO'estraHar HathoG6naacsr3HIR6HOOD A7even $on"ers $hether the companion $oul" follo$ her ifb# an# chance she $ere to be carrie" a$a# b# the currentAsAovB6SPa=lr_ R]tro#,eg#r 'IA)?JB6IPTarg FBB0Hirc7"' "sao664itiAlmr@ HUinst;Car K='sasirt'r7t?6iamors%'iB a6sBKb?JJBD7DF?? a ?K7B algir H I IT @? 6ID T BB=I 6)UDT 4, 77@D K)'''sD(.3tfeno=gcf;"ra"i ?A'?rrg'6BcBTI>> 6cb)mg'iB7?A>of?'FF)tA 5VD+trp=r ''n 2?It is this close association that prompts the man to see* the help of the mai" in his love a"venture He communicates to her the cause of his mala"# Often the mai" s#mpathise" $ith him an" informe" her mistress about the lover $ho $as pining a$a# heaving sighs li*e a furnace4' The girl in all her virgin pri"e $oul" not rea"il# listen to her frien" (o the mai" invente" her o$n $a#s an"means to meet the a-air (ometimes she might entertain a suspicion about her frien"4s apparentl# innocent loo*s One mai" sai" ver# naivel# to her #oung mistress' 6oo* here' thou $ith e#es li*e a blue lotus 9 A man "resse" li*e a hunter $ith $reaths an" bo$ use" to pass b# me often as if he $ere loo*ing for the foot)prints of some misse" game He $oul" never utter a $or" but his loo*s betra#e" his grief 5 for m# part I coul" notsleep at nights I $as not "isincline" either' #et $hat coul" I "o Q He $oul" not e%press his mala"# an" it $as not proper for me as a $oman to let him *no$ that I share" his feelings .ou *no$ $hat I "i" one "a# I $as on the s$ing $hich is near our millet ,el" He $as passing b# I as*e" him &uite casuall# to s$ing me a little an" $hile he pulle" the boar" a little I staggere" Imme"iatel# he caught me in his arms $here I la# resting on his breast an" un$illing to? Iuruntogai AAAAB HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(open m# e#es ;or I *ne$ that the moment I opene" m# e#es' he $oul" release his hol" lest some pro$ler shoul" $itness the scene (uch is his "ecorum244 Hearing this it $as &uite probable that the #oung mistress $oul" blush if she ha" been herself guilt# of such an act Often' these tric*s of the mai" $ere of no avail to bringout the min" of the girl As a ,nal e-ort' she $oul" as* the girl to come an" $orshipthe crescent moon4 ;rom the "a# of her choice' her husban" becomes her go" to a Tamilian girl His "eit# alone $oul" she $orship Kcf unaaJ@'sB?G ?7J In such circumstances the girl coul" "o nothing but refuse to $orship the moon The mai" has thus triumphe" in learning the truth After this' the role of the mai" becomes a ver# important one (he has to ma*e the bon" vali"' other$ise it $oul" be a ahortlive" happiness for the girl The mother an" foster)mother an" above all the scan"almongers of the village ha" to be counte" upon an" this ma"e it imperative that the movements of the lovers shoul" be closel# guar"e" an" *ept secretThe mai" no$ enters upon her "ut# of acting as an interme"iar# bet$een the lovers Often the man $oul" bring a leaf "ress an" as* her to give it to her mistress4 If it $as accepte" b# the mai"' he felt sure that his suit $as $elcome an" that she $oul" activel# help him (ometimes the mai" $oul" refuse to ta*e the "ress simpl# in fun an" sa# 2that these are not the *in"s of leaves an" +o$ers that are common in our village 0on4t our companions laugh at us if $e are to $ear this ne$ *in" of leaf "ress Q (o please ta*e a$a# #our leaf "ress2@ Acceptance $as a form of open ac*no$le"gement of his love The mai" might not? Ialit)t)togai =DA Tol*appiam Porul @@ KNatchinar Iiniar commentar#J= Narrinai =7G 3 Iuruntogai A?@ 3 Ain*urunuru@ Ain*urunuruHIR6HOOD ADhave been an active agent in the ,rst meeting of the lovers but in the succee"ing meetings she ha" to pla# the principal part 3 it $as she $ho arrange" the hour an" place for the meeting of the lovers The lovers often met an" spent their time in s$imming an" $an"ering among the groves an" hill)si"es or bathing in the sea4 The mai" sel"om 1oine" in these pleasures The tongue of scan"al never stoppe" $agging (omeho$ people observe" $ith curiosit# the spar*ling e#es of the girl an"her "eveloping ph#si&ue The# $ere in&uisitive to learn the cause of the stranger4s fre&uent visits to the village4 The mai" fearing e%posure $oul" as* him to change the time of his visit an" come "uring nights Those nocturnal meetings ha" to be in the pro%imit# of the girl4s house4 Even some casual slip might ma*e the mother &uestion the girl4s movements Then it became necessar# for the mai" to e%ercise her $its an" save her frien" 3 for in one instance the mother $o*e up on account of the "isturbance cause" b# the lovers' an" as*e" the mai" $hether she sa$ or hear"an#one moving The mai"' in all innocence' sai"' 2 ho$ coul" #ou thin* so' motherQ .ou *no$ there are some supernatural beings in these hills $ho assume the form of some of our belove" ones an" visit us .ou must have seen one of them 2@ Even $ith all the help of the mai"' this secret meeting coul" not last for more than t$o months 0hen she foun" that the man $as "ela#ing their marriage' she $oul" as* him' of course' in an in"irect manner' to stop his visits an" ma*e arrangements for the marriage (ometimes it might also happen that the mother noticing the? Aham =FA 5 Narrinai ?@D)?=O' Iuruntogai5 @F?A Iuruntogai A@' =@' 7?' 7G' ?=G' A@7' AO@' =F?' =??5 Narrinai =' ?@G' Aham DF' G7= Tol*appiam' Porul ?=?5 Aham ?7O)?GO5 Narrinai BD' O=' ?OA@ Aham ?7OAO HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(altere" loo*s of the girl or hearing some gossip might have *ept her closel# guar"e"in the house In this circumstance also' the mai" ha" to implore the man to go an" as* the girl4s parents for her han" These meetings $ere *no$n as Pa*ar Iuri an" Iravu**uri Kmeeting b# "a# 5 meeting b# nightJ0e get a beautiful picture of the gossip)mongers or $omen of hell K'B?bUoirui6i H)@MBis)tviJ as the girl calle" them' stan"ing in the street tal*ing in $hispers The# e%change" signi,cant glances $ith their ,ngers on their noses' $on"ering at the au"acit# of the girl The# "are" nut tal* openl# because of the girl4s status (he belonge" to a great famil#4Occasionall# some one bol"er than the rest $oul" voice her suspicion &uite lou"l# an" it $oul" reach the mother $ho $oul" then restrict her "aughter4s movements an" ma*e her virtuall# a prisoner The "a#s follo$ing this con,nement $ere ver# bitter for the girl an" her mai" an" the latter ha" to run hither an" thither' consoling the $eeping girl' an" imploring the sluggish lover to hurr# up an" marr# her K*t,gs'D74B?@J/other Consulting the 8elan 3 During this unrela%ing con,nement the girl naturall# starte" to pine Her loo*s fa"e" an" she $as $earing out The mother notice" all these an" became an%ious (he coul" onl# guess that the girl $as possesse" b# some supernatural beings 5 for ho$ coul" she *no$ that her "aughter $as possesse" b# love Q (he sent $or" to the Iattuvichchi#ar These $oul" tell the mother to propitiate 8elan b# o-erings an" ascertain from him the reason of her "aughter4s mala"#4 6et the 8elan sa# $hat he $oul" 3 but coul" the girl allo$ the ritual to ta*e? Narrinai ?@GA Iuruntogai A=)AB5 Narrinai AOO5 Ain*urunuru A@?)7FHIR6HOOD Agplace Q No It $as against all the moral la$s of the Tamil lan"' for it $as thought sinful that a $ife' so she consi"ere" herself' shoul" be sai" to be possesse" b# 8elan /ore than that the shame that 8eri#a"al brought $ith it $as too much for the"elicate min"e" girl4 The mai" seeing the "istress of her frien"' approache" the mother an" tol" her &uite suavel# that it $as not 8elan but love that ha" ta*en possession of the girl Though stunne" at ,rst b# the ne$s' the mother coul" "o nothing but conve# it to the father' $ho on his part furiousl# e%hibite" his anger but,nall# accepte" the inevitable an" consente" to marr# his "aughter to her lover4 This phase $as calle" 2 Aratto"u Nirral 4 KFF'@'=p7T= tbJ'i=A7?JJ The term' in itself' is e%planator# of the nature of their bon" an" $hat it meant to the Tamilian people The hither thus realise" that his "aughter4s love $as perfectl# righteous an" ever# one connecte" $ith her $as ma"e to un"restan" the righteousness of natural love an" the# "eci"e" to stan" b# it The girl feare" to stan" the fur# of her people an" sometimes hesitate" to "isclose her min" Coul" she give up her love Q No ;or' $asnot her bon" in"issoluble Q 0hat coul" she "o Q 6ove ha" transforme" her from an innocent chil" into a "etermine" $oman 6ove $as the paramount consi"eration of her life at that stage an" to maintain it all the latent virtues came into pla# 0hen love $as at sta*e' she "eci"e" to face scan"al an" the "erision of her parents an" to follo$ the onl# path that is legitimatel# open to her4 Other circumstances such asun$elcome suitors $oul" also hasten her "ecision4 (he coul" no longer be? Aham AGAA Iuruntogai =@)7? 5 =7?)=D@ 5 Narrinai =B7=G= 5 Ain*urunuru ?@7)?@B 5 Ahan AOA5 Ialit)togai =G)@? 5 @7)??7= Iuruntogai ??A)?A@' ?@G' =@=' =O= 5 Narrinai ?A)=O@' =@G' Iuruntogai ??' =DG' =O7 5 Narrinai' A=@ Ain*urunuru AFF 5 Aham B7 DA' G7' ?FD' AA?' =BG'=F HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(in"i-erent an" her mai"' as a true frien"' al$a#s helpe" her to form the right "ecisionJ This ,nal "ecision to leave her home' *ith an" *in' $as not $ithout pang for $e get the picture of an irresolute mai"en struggling to suppress her grief in leaving her homeA!efore procee"ing further it is necessar# to note a belief prevalent among the ancient Tamilians It $as not onl# a moral breach for the girl to marr# an#one e%cepther lover' but also it $as consi"ere" a social "anger Ialittogai sa#s' 2 can there be a goo" crop in a village $here a girl' loving one' is given in marriage to another Q Can the hunters succee" in their game Q Can the hone#)comb #iel" hone# in a village $here the parents commit this breach2= /ullai)Iali sa#s that such breach follo$e" b# marriage' $ith another man $as tantamount to a secon" marriage4' $hich $rec*e" the happiness of the girl for life This belief seems to have been prevalent among foreign tribes 2 The !ahans or Ia#ans' a tribe in the interior of !orneo' believe that a"ulter# is punishe" b# the spirits' $ho visit the $hole tribe $ith failure of crops an" other misfortunes24 Even among the civilise" races of anti&uit# such as the Me$s' se%ual crimes $ere suppose" to have ha" "isastrous e-ects The Me$s thought that the sterilising in+uence of this crime $as not onl# limite" to the fruits of the earth? Iuruntogai ??' =DG' =O7 5 Narrinai A= f t A?D' =@=' =O=A Narrinai ?A= Iali)t)togai =G'?? ??)AF'@ ??@ 2 eu"lumartar Hoan alb??J'F7 aA"oJigB?7?A HorritJb7'a2 ?@eurnOsulr7tnaior i9, Kur pia9 6on)u=Rtaraa#'7@?K7 HAutbN$v Bns'RG6 r& BsAatr ???B?J?? rs B=aG@ =Fagna ai$sco HuAg#tn=Hra''G ????D r inaurilafrJK7?nas ss'p'U BrGcoBiG$cv uen CI so 27 Hol"en !ough' Ch EI Part I' 8ol II'HIR6HOOD =?but also to the $omen an" cattle 2 A"ulter# even $hen it is committe" in ignoranceha" been consi"ere" as "isastrous in e-ects24 (imilar beliefs might have e%iste" among the Tamilians of the (angam age0e have seen ho$ the girl $as left $ith the onl# alternative of leaving her home an" follo$ing her lover The mai" $oul" as* the man to ma*e arrangements to ta*e her a$a#4 Often she coul" not repress the surging grief in her heart /an# are the instances $herein on the eve of separation the mai" entreate" the man to continue to love forever an" cherish the girl $ho $as renouncing all her frien"s for his sa*e4 In one instance5 she sa#s 2 Remember' m# lor"' she is no$ #oung an" prett# In course of time she ma# lose her beaut# .et it is meet that #ou shoul" continue to cherish her as #ou "o no$ as she has chosen her lot trusting in #our $or"42The mother' though a"amant at ,rst' $hen she learnt of elopement' bro*e "o$n $ith grief7 The foster)mother $oul" go in search of the girl en&uiring of the $a#farers $hether the# ha" met such an" such a couple Often she $oul" obtain some clue from them an" some $oul" even chi"e her for her foolishness in follo$ing them44 0hen a foster)mother $as going in search of her heartlessKbraveJ chil" she met a !rahmin pilgrim $hom she as*e" 2 Hol# (ire' "i" #ou happen to meet a stal$art #outh follo4$e" b# a prett# girl ?2 The !rahmin turne" to her an" sai" 2 .es'? The Hol"en !ough' Oh EI' Part I 8ol IIA Ain*urunuru =BB' ABD= Iuruntogai ??7 3 =GD Aham A@DAOB@ Narrinai ?F7 Aham =7' ?F7' ?@7' ?B7' =BG' Ain*urunuru =?=' =D?)=OF Narrinai AG' BB' ?@=' ?DG' AG= 5 Iuruntogai @@' O@' ?@@' =7B' =DO' =GBB Iuruntogai @@' ?@@' =7B' =GB Aham AD7=A HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(I "i" an" $as gla" that the# ha" chosen the right thing' for of $hat use can san"al$oo" be to the hill $here it gro$s Q It can be of use onl# to the man $ho *no$s its use (o also the pearl Though the ocean is its mother' of $hat use is it to the $aters It can onl# be useful to the person $ho strings it an" $ears it Are the strings of the #al of an# use to the instrument itself Q The# are of use onl# to the person $ho pla#s on them an" pro"uces the music .our "aughter' therefore' cannot be of an# use to #ou (he has follo$e" the proper path of Dbarma b# castingher lot $ith the man $hom she love" .ou shoul" not hin"er her in an# manner42 Never $ere loi'ers of this *in" con"emne" On the contrar# their #outh an" ine%perience $ere often pitie" an" the# $ere given shelterA Till then the man might have been an in"i-erent lover 5 but' once the true $omanliness of the girl is manifeste" the realisation of the magnanimit# of her sacri,ce "a$ns on him Duringthe $hole 1ourne# be is consi"erate an" en"eavours b# his love an" $or"s to ma*e her forget her $eariness an" sorro$= He sees her gather +o$ers an" $eave them into a garlan"4 even in her strange surroun"ings He $atches her intentl# an" on noticing it she $ill feel sh# an" cover her e#es $ith her palms He gentl# move" close to her an" sai"' 2 #ou thin* that #ou can hi"e #ourself b# covering #our e#es but "on4t #ou *no$ that #our charms are torturing me more than #our e#es2 (ome of those lovers $ere marrie" on their $a# at some villageacairoUior i6B'F@ es BiJ B)J rr taithrtirri tgoHHIO PoiCestrtin)6@I6ItRA6)?? 6I 6ITi ?B?r 6)K?J Ruasi)@ Ko"B??@6turrgusecurAA Han) Har BiJBJJ KD^'b?QJ mn1'tR'a'BXir uitrtii@aC 27? Palai)*)IaliA Am*urunuru =O?)=O== Ain*urunuru =B?)DF@ Y =B?HIR6HOOD ==(ometimes the girl4s people follo$e" them in pursuit !ut then the man' though a brave $arrior' $oul" not ta*e up arms against her *ith an" *in (o in or"er to avoi" unnecessar# pain to his $ife' he $oul" hi"e himself but the girl $oul" tell her people "ecisivel# that she coul" not go bac*4 These e%amples sho$ the high level of culture $hich the ancient Tamilians possesse" The hero $ho $oul" not hesitate to *ill in a battle' $oul" shrin* from in1uring an# of his $ife4s relatives Almost ever# Tamilian girl $as a Muliet $ho $oul" la# her life at the altar of love !ut the Tamilian parents $ere not al$a#s Capulets an" /ontagues 0hen once the# foun" out that all their ob1ections $ere futile the# too* the event $ith grace The# $oul" forgive the lovers' ta*e them bac* into their fol" an" forget the past 0e ,n" man# instances $here the mothers pra#e" to the go"s to bring their "aughters bac*4 In some instances $e learn that the mother of the man celebrate" the nuptials' in her house' after the return of the lovers4It is also signi,cant that $e have no evi"ence of a girl being 1ilte" or th$arte" in herlove There is a poetic convention calle" 2 /a"alurtal K6ss>gAfrri)ApiJJ@ The parents having refuse" his suit' the man has no other choice than to appeal to the $ise menof the place for their intercession KIali P?=OJ The usual convention is that he ma"e a horse out of palm#ra leaves' set it in a public place an" $oul" mount it hol"ing the picture of the girl in his han" KIali ?=GJ Divining his intention either the girl marrie" him of her o$n accor" or the parents gave their consent to the marriage' orher relations gave her in marriage !ut if all remaine"? Narrinai @O' =BA5 Ain*urunuru =?AA Ain*urunuru =G?= =GG@ Iali)t)togai ?=O)?=G' ?@F' ?@?==@ HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(a"amant' the lover $oul" cast himself "o$n from a precipice an" ma*e an en" of his unhapp# love an" life KJTh$g miii'7BF?JJ !ut this is a mere convention It is improbable that it $as ever practise"The usual course $as for the parents to arrange for the marriage after *no$ing the truthIn Tamil societ# the father $as the person $ho coul" give his "aughter a$a# in marriage an" this he "i" either $illingl# or out of sheer necessit#CHAPTER I8 /ARRIAHEIn the last chapter $e have seen ho$ all the love a"ventures an" intrigues of the girls ultimatel# le" to marriage bet$een the lovers concerne" It has been suggeste" that marriage as a se&uel to free love $as a survival from the primitive custom of promiscuit#4 !ut the term use"' ieY Han"harva marriage'4 one of the eight forms of marriage prevalent in the countar#' has given rise to various con1ectures That the e%pression Han"harva $as borro$e" from the Ar#ans nee"s no elaborate "iscussion This form of marriage in its essentials ha" been prevalent among the Tamils $ithout the Han"harva 4 in it It $as thus rea"il# acceptable to thepeople of the (angam age !ut it must be remembere" that the circumstances that might have been present in it accor"ing to the Ar#an conception $ere almost absent in (outh In"ia Pol#an"r# $as un*no$n in the (angam age 0e have seen ho$ lovers coul" not brea* their alliance un"er an# circumstances an" ho$ the remotest i"ea of "issolution of a bon" once ma"e amounte" to an evil $hich $as suppose" to be accompanie" b# "isastrous results to the communit# In the (angamage marriage $as consi"ere" to be the proper career for a girl There $as no vocation outsi"e marriage for the vast ma1orit# of the Tamil girls Hirls en1o#e" tolerable free"om in the selection of their husban"s /arriage $as not al$a#s arrange" in the matter of course $a# Natural union resulting from love forme" the essential feature of marriage an" though it $as ultimatel# consi"ere" to be the gift of the bri"e b# her father or guar"ian to the most eligible suitor? Primitive /arriage b# ;ine*=B HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(0e have alrea"# seen that the form of marriage other$ise *no$n as Han"harva form $as the most popular one among the ancient Tamils an" that it $as one of the eight forms in vogue /ahabharata an" la$)givers li*e /anu an" .agnaval*#a ha" a"vocate" the eight forms of marriageAccor"ing to /anu' the# are 3 !rahma' Daiva' Arsha' Pra1apat#a' Asura' Han"harva' Ra*shasa an" Paisacha4 It is sai" 2that after ,nishing the 8e"as or the vratas Kvo$s for religious observances as a !rahniachariJ or both giving the vara Kof $hat he as*sfor' or "esiresJ to the preceptor 2' he marries4The gift of a "aughter' after "ec*ing her K$ith costl# garmentsJ' an" honouring her Kb# presents of 1e$elsJ' to a man learne" in the 8e"a' an" of goo" con"uct' $hom Kthe fatherJ himself invites' is calle" the !rahma rite4The gift of a "aughter' $ho has been "ec*e" $ith ornaments' to a priest $ho "ul# o]ciates at a sacri,ce' "uring the course of its performance' the# call the Daiva rite_0hen Kthe fatherJ gives a$a# his "aughter' accor"ing to the rule' after receiving from the bri"egroom for Kthe ful,lment ofJ the sacre" la$' a co$ an" a bull' or t$o pairs' that is name" the Arsha rite2The gift of a "aughter Kb# her fatherJ' after he has a""resse" Kthe coupleJ $ith the te%t 4 ma# both of #ou? /anu Ch III 8I AG =@A E%tracts from .agnaval*#a b# Damo"ar Irishna Iharan"i*ar' p OB versa 7?= E%tracts from .agnaval*#a b# Damo"ar Irishna Iaran"i*ar' pOB@ Do "o "o7 Do "o "o/ARRIAHE =Dperform together #our "uties4' an" has sho$n honour Kto the bri"egroomJ' is calle" in the (mriti' the Pra1apat#a rite40hen Kthe bri"egroomJ receives the mai"en after having given as much as he can a-or" to the *insmen an" to the bri"e herself accor"ing to his o$n $ill' it is calle" the Asura rite4 !ut here the commentator of Thol*appiam "i-ers from /anu an" .agnaval*#a' for he sa#s that Asura is the form in $hich the bri"egroom $ins the2 CAX3?BBK?M 1' 8BBFJ?F KP ircoJ 7??)??)G th'tG r+ an a,'o%esfsbvil "sogli 'BF@FB)Dr osn)gira*'b?=b)enalti7?Kual H67@>'prr "i r7B B . PUM "orSEl)Agar H au) oarti' H>;b fro)rn "s Sa# outA J'D go" B?aplu(r or Cnal iiJ'aG I6I RI g?D?DDF R???G pfvvruaBBD?=F=?) aailJ Rhf*irrb aurrHA 2bri"e b# some feat' ie' b# ,ghting a bull or stringing a bo$ or felling a mar*4Ho$ "i" this "i-erence come about Q It is possible that Nachchinar*ini#ar ,n"ing the form prevalent in Tamil literature might have follo$e" it It is also posssible that Thol*appiar $ho is sai" to have been a "isciple of Agast#a "erive" his vie$s from his 4Huru4 It has been a common practice to "etermine the right to the han" of a mai" b# contests In the famous stor# of Penelope an" Hippo"amia the ,rst races $ere run for no less than a priUe than the ban" of the princess of Pisa4 Icarius at (parta set $ooers of his "aughter to run a race 5 Ul#sses $on an" $e""e" her7 This custom of racing for? E%tracts from .agnaval*#a' p OB' /anu4s ;orms of /arriage'A Do "o "o= Tol*appiamPPorul GA@ The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ' Ch EI8% Do Ch EI8 The succession to a *ing"om=O HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(a bri"e seems to have prevaile" in man# countries of the $orl" !ut it has gra"uall# "$in"le" to a mere form or pretence Among the IirghiU there is a love chase 2 $hich is suppose" to be a form of marriage4 Other contests than racing have also been "esigne" to test the s*ill' strength an" courage of the suitors Arthur .oung $hile spea*ing of the Iing4s countr#' Irelan"' tells us ho$ "uring the ?Oth centur# a girl $as given as a priUe to the person $ho came successful in a hurling match In the In"ian epics also' $e ,n" that mai"ens ha" been o-ere" as 8ir#a cul*s KpriUe forheroic valourJ Draupa"i' the princess of Panchala' $as proclaime" b# her father as the priUe to the person $ho coul" ben" the might# bo$ an" shoot ,ve arro$s through the revolving $heel so as to hit the target be#on" Ar1una came out successful an" $on the incomparable Draupa"i Mana*i' the gol"en princess of 8i"eha' $as also proclaime" as a 8ir#a cul*a In the Tamil countr# the contest for a bri"e $as in vogue among the A#ar or shepher"s Among the people of the pastures' though the man $as the chosen one of the mai"en' #et he ha" to $in her in a formal bull ,ght He coul" have her onl# if he comes out successful in the bull ,ght4 (*ill' other than ph#sical strength' ha" also "etermine" the han" of the mai"en in the Tamil literature Miva*an $on the Han"harva princess Tattai' as the priUe in a musical contest= In this connection it is interesting to note that among the !ororos of !raUil chieftainc# is besto$e" on the best singer5 Miva*an $as s*ille" not onl# in music His s*ill in archer# came into pla#' $hen he hit the revolving pig an" $on the mai"en Tla**anai7? The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge" e"itionJ' Ch EI8A /ullai)*N*ali=' @ C 7 Meeva*achintamani KHan"harva Tattai Ilamba*a mJ'/ARRIAHE =GOften a ,ght "etermine" the husban" for the girl There is a particular convention inTamil literature *no$n as /ahat)par)*anchi prevalent among the $arrior tribes In this' $hen a suitor approache" the father of the girl' the father $oul" engage him ina ,ght As the conse&uence of such a ,ght sometimes complete "evastation too* place .et the fathers never relente" /aru"am Ilana*anar calls the bri"e as the angel of "eath to her village 5 for' the poet tells the *ing 3 2#our men are greasing their spears' #ou are bubbling $ith anger2 !ut her father $ill not sa# even one $or" In these circumstances the co# mai"en $ill be onl# li*e the spar* that "estro#s the might# tree (he is thus the "eath)"ealing go""ess to her villagePassing on from the Asura' $e come to the Han"harva form of marriage This $as the one in $hich love forme" the chief part The lovers met' love" an" marrie" This$as the form favoure" b# the Han"harvas' the celestial musicians Han"harvas $ere one of those celestials $ho $ere privilege" to a life of eternal music an" pleasure As such the# $ooe"' an" marrie" $here their hearts le" them an" this natural form of marriage that is of a man an" $oman seeing' loving an" "eci"ing to ta*e each other as partner in their life4s 1ourne# came to be calle" after them ;rom Thol*appiar4s $or"s it $oul" be seen that this $as almost the onl# form of marriage that $as in"igenous to the Tamilians Even if it ha" not been a vali" form' #et of necessit# it ha" to prece"e the ritual Among the Ar#ans free an" natural love "oes not seem to have been favoure" much The# $ere more materialistic than the simple Dravi"ians of the (outh /anu sa#s that this form of marriage $as onl# for the $arrior nobilit#4 8ishnu Purana sa#s he that gives his "aughter a$a# so' thereb#comes into the blesse"? /anu III AB@F HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6($orl" of the Han"harvas? Nara"a' on the other han"' sa#s $ithout hesitation that this *in" of marriage belongs to all castes ali*e4 It has been e%plaine" b# some thatas a primitive form born out of promiscuit#' it must have e%iste" among the tribes of the primitive population of In"ia This is inconceivable to the people of the (angam age $ho abhorre" corruption in the matrimonial contract an" $ho hel" thata $oman4s life $as $orth$hile onl# if she $ere to be the la"#)love of the same man through their "i-erent births' an" it is not probable that the# coul" have been a communit# $here ever# male member ha" a right to all the $omen of the tribe /ore than that Thol*appiar sa#s "e,nitel# that it $as one of the eight forms a"vocate" b# the 8e"as of the Ar#ans Even then this Han"harva form $as one of the most bin"ing forms of marriage the# coul" conceive 0hen corruption crept intothis pure form' the# intro"uce" rituals an" ceremonies as an insurance against in,"elit# an" neglect !# performing the rituals the# gave the utmost publicit# to the contract so as to ma*e an# future "issolution impossible The ceremonial rite of marriage $as calle" 2 Iaranam 2 b# the Tamil scholars2The other t$o forms' Ra*shasa an" Paisacha' $ere consi"ere" to be improper Ra*shasa form $as one in $hich 2a forcible ab"uction of a mai"en from her home' $hile she cries out an" $eeps after Kher *insmenJ have been slain or $oun"e" an" Ktheir housesJ bro*en open' too* place242 0hen Ka manJ b# stealth se"uces a girl $ho is sleeping' into%icate"' or "isor"ere" in intellect' it is consi"ere"? 8ishnupurana EEI8 AOA Nara"a EII @@= Tol*appiam' Porul ?@A@ E%tracts from .agnaval*#a/ARRIAHE @?as the most base an" sinful rite of the Pisacha2? Tamil scholars calle" the latter t$oas Peruntinai' ie' a phase that $as too abhorrent The commentator of Thol*appiam KNachchinar*ini#arJ sa#s that it $as calle" Peruntinai because it inclu"e" four *in"s of marriage $hich $ere unacceptable5 but it is possible that the term came into e%istence 1ust as the "ea"l# cobra calle" Nana Pambu 4' These $ere inconceivable to the Dravi"ian societ#The Parents4 "ut# to marr# a$a# the "aughter 3Even in Han"harva marriage' the father ha" to give his sanction for the marriageA The marriage ceremon# meant the giving a$a# of the "aughter either b# the father or *insfol* to the man $ho $as her superior or e&ual The *insfol* $ho coul" give the girl a$a# in marriage $ere mother4s brothers' the girl4s brothers' men of the same famil# an" the teacher4To $hom the "aughter shall be given 3 0here the parents chose the man' the# consi"ere" the follo$ing points "etermine his suitabilit# as the prospective son)in)la$4E&ualit# of !irth 3 Accor"ing to the commentator of Thol*appi#am the bri"egroom shoul" be of the same caste' if not higher caste 5 but it $as essential that he shoul" not be of a lo$er caste Caste s#stem among the Tamils $as rare The# $ere pnl# calle" Iuravar' A#ar or Parathavar accor"ing to the region or profession to $hich the# belonge" Thus' $e ,n" the son of a Chief marr#ing the "aughter of a poor man94 ? E%tracts from .agnaval*#aA Iuruntogai 7?= Tol*appiam' Porul ?@A Nachchinar*ini#ar4s commentar#@ Tol*appiam7 Narrinai @7@A HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(Nobilit# of con"uct 3 The ne%t important factor to be consi"ere" in marriage $as thenobilit# of the bri"egroom It $as re&uire" that the pair shoul" *eep up the famil# "ignit# This &ualit# of maintaining the ancestral "ignit# b# proper con"uct has beencalle" Iu"imai 4 in Tamil4 It "epen"e" e&uall# on the $oman an" it $as her "ut# to maintain it un"er all circumstancesMust as the man ha" to be stea"# in his business' so $as the $oman in maintaining her home It $as sai" of a house$ife that she $on the a"miration of ever#one b# her abilit# in *eeping the happ# connections $ith relatives an" being frien"l# $ith those $ho are not relativesAge 3 A perfect match $as that $hen the bri"e $as t$elve #ears of age an" the bri"egroom si%teen #ears!eaut# 3 !eaut# of form $as one of the &ualities to be consi"ere" Ho$ever abstractlove might be' #et beaut# of form is an essential re&uisite to ma*e it perfect Perasiri#ar' $hile e%plaining the reason for inclu"ing this &ualit#' sa#s that natural love' ie' love at ,rst sight' is create" onl# b# the attractiveness of the form $hile other *in"s of love are brought about onl# b# long an" constant companionship6ove 3 Reciprocate" love(elf)Control The lover' though a6CTguiiJ 7Bco'6ourrt#5irrt$rui e#p'iB)rgv "Ir"sDBBr HplucCsth BD)'oG 'RbigirHo#i)(o1r?SB7J6othA 4aiBED"stun"7 @MiTiii,g titer spcUOil tatra5reE Cc FB)?J)bRot #6vb577 'VTovi>rt7?2to' iev As)b''hF)JaSeaS6b? Tol*appiamPPorul ?@B Nachchmar*ini#ar4e commentar#7F HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(This continence is not re&uire" of couples "uring their clan"estine love Then $h# is coition outsi"e $e"loc* not "angerous Q Is it because of its uncleanness Q An" $h# is continence onl# *ept for so short a time Q ;or $e *no$ from the e%isting literatureof the Tamil lan" that consummation follo$e" the ,rst meeting of the lovers an" it $as calle" 2 I#ar**ai Punarchi2 Naturall# enough the girl coul" not un"erstan" this ne$ 2 romantic reserve2 of her lover' especiall# after the marriage $hen the# coul" be husban" an" $ife $ithout an# moral compunction (o she "eman"s an e%planation an" the man e%plains it thus 2(ince ,rst #ou belong to (oma' then to Han"harvas an" to Agni' respectivel#' the# have #ou on the ,rst three nights Then Agni gives #ou to be m# o$n It is "eclare" so in the 8e"as22 Ypig4 K#$'=J> tbgbrA'ilri H4'frobal'iJK7??J' rbrrar AfbfaBavatBtio' ?A'thrKra3oirI 6IA6E GS a#; ?7D)BB?) or Orr (ir 'g? IiIF??>??B?e( Aiiraar \GSBrf I I 6i Irthr railK=BJSBriUsrui')B@'5 Ha" B?J miJarorA ANiaGBBB ecgBrr?BrA@ es>'?'A&BoiJ2P>UrrirBDUiriiJ (A B7 rr 2?Certain marriage customs prevailing among the peoples of the $orl" ma# serve as e%planations for this e%traor"inar# fact Turning no$ to the marriage ceremon#' $e ,n" that there is in the ,rst place a necessit# to guar" against e%ternal "angers' especiall# "angers of a m#sterious *in" ;or instance' in man# parts of Europe' inclu"ing Englan" there is' or $as the custom of ,ring over the hea"s of the bri"e an" bri"egroom on the $a# to or from the Church Among the /or"vins' $hen the bri"egroom an" his frien"s' leave for the house of the bri"e' the best man? Tol*appiamPPorul ?@B Nachchinar*ini#ar4s commentar#/ARRIAHE 7?goes thrice roun" the part# $ith a "ra$n s$or"' calling "o$n curses upon ill$ishers A still more "e,nite e%ample is the ancient In"ian ceremon#' "uring $hich arro$s $ere shot into the air $ith the $or"s 4 I pierce the e#es of the spirits $ho surroun" the bri"e4 On these same lines is to be e%plaine" the ol" Roman custom in $hich the bri"egroom ha" to comb his bri"e4s hair $ith a spear24 2 Thus $ith marriage but not $ith se%ual intercourse5 outsi"e marriage the man is threatene" b# the sharpest malice of magical po$ers !ut the "emons are ver# stupi" (o the# onl# $atch the "oor' believe that if the chil" has an ugl# name or is spo*en of slightingl#' then nothing $ill happen an" so on If then the ne$l# $e""e" refrain at the beginning' these simple fools of )spirits imagine that it $ill go on in this $a#22This "rea" of the spirits)o$ners of the girl before her marriage is ver# great an" this combine" $ith the superstitious "rea" before the m#ster# of the ,rst bloo" $hich gives an opening for the "emonsPthe ,rst cause of the so)calle" @2 right 2 of the ,rst night (o the husban" resigns the right to en1o# the virginit# he so often insists on' Therefore it became a necessit# through a ver# "isagreeable a-air to get the girl "e+o$ere" b# a pro%# A slave or a stranger is calle" in for the tas* 5 the *insfol* or the girl herself has to see to the "e+oration as a "ut#24The "e+oration of the bri"e b# pro%# ,n"s its most elaborate "evelopment among the Aruntas of Central Asia Among the natives $ho have a complicate" s#stem of relationship' a girl is "estine" for a particular man almost from birth As soon as she reaches pubert# she is arti,)? /en against 0omen 3 Theo"ore !estermanA (e%ual 6ife in Ancient In"ia' /e#er MM pp =?=)=?@7A HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(ciall# "e+o$ere" b# a speci,e" person' $ho is never the husban"' assiste" b# certain other men Imme"iatel# the h#men is perforate" these men have access to her in a ,%e" or"erAmong man# other peoples the "e+oration is perform e" b# the father 5 this is the case among the (a*ars' the !attas an" the Alfoers of Celebes Amongst the To"as' shortl# before pubert#' a man of strong ph#si&ue comes an" stops in the village for one night an" has intercourse $ith the girl This must ta*e place before pubert# an"it seeme" that there $ere fe$ things regar"e" as more "isgraceful than that this ceremon# shoul" be "ela#e" till after this perio" It might be a sub1ect of reproach an" abuse for the remain"er of the $oman4s life an" it $as even sai" that men might refuse to marr# her if this ceremon# ha" not been performe" at the proper timeIn the Phillipines there $as a special group of men $hose business it $as to "e+o$er bri"es The tas* $as often performe" b# the priest an" this sometimes "evelope" into such as that of the Hreenlan"ers The# pai" the ange*o* 4 or priest to have connection $ith their $ives' since the chil" of such a hol# man $as boun" to be better than others The more usual principle of "e+oration pure an" simple b# priests $as particularl# common in the ancient American civilisation' The Tabus too*their bri"es to a priest to verif# $hether the# $ere virgins an" then to "e+o$er them In Nicaragua the people ha" a temple)priest' $hose "ut# it $as to sleep $ith the bri"e the night before the marriage In Huatamela the High priest ha" to spen" the ,rst night $ith the ne$l# marrie" bri"e In Cumana $ives' but not concubines' $ere "e+o$ere" b# the priests an" an# nonconformit# $ith this rule $as consi"er)/AIIRIAHE 7=e" a crime (ome$hat similar to this is the 28ali**atuceremon# 2 in /alabar At the time of pubert#' a man is calle" in to tie the tali or thes#mbol of marriage to the girl an" the man $ho ties it is not the legal husban" It is sai" to mean nothing more than the evi"ence of having attaine" pubert# 5 but $h# shoul" a stranger be calle" in for the tas* Q Coul" it be a s#mbol of the custom of the "e+oration b# a pro%# that $as prevalent among the ancient peoples of the $orl" QAmong the ancient Hebre$s the thought seems to have been present that through self)"enial or even)self torture the "emons an" the go"s are $on over' for $e ,n" Tobias' the son of Tobit' marrie" (arah the "aughter of Raguel in Ecbatana of /e"ia onl# after relieving her from the clutches of Asmo"aeus' the evil spirit 2 The same "a# it happene" unto (arah' the "aughter of Raguel in Ecbatang of /e"ia' that she also $as reproache" b# her father4s mai" servants 5 because that she ha" been given to seven husban"s an" Asmo"aeus the evil spirit sle$ them' before the# ha" lain $ith her Tobias $ith the help of Raphael $hich $as an angel $ent to the house of Raguel an" sought lo"ging there for the night (ince Raguel $ho $as the *insmanof Tobias he gave (arah' his "aughter' as $ife to Tobias An" $hen the# ha" ,nishe"their supper the# brought Tobias in unto her !ut as be $ent' he remembere" the $or"s of Raphael an" too* the ashes of the incense' an" put the heart an" the liver of the ,sh thereupon an" ma"e a smo*e there$ith !ut $hen the "evil smelle" the smell' he +e" into the uppermost part of Eg#pt an" the angel boun" him !ut after the# $ere both shut in together' Tobias rose up from the be" an" sai" 3 (ister arise an" let us pra# that the 6or"? 4/en against 0omen' b# Theo"ore !esterman7@ HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(ma# have mere# on us4 An" Tobias began to sa# 3 4!lesse" art thou F Ho" of our fathers an" blesse" is th# hol# an" glorious name for ever' let the heavens bless thee an" all th# creatures' Thou ma"est A"am an" ga#est him Eve his $ife for a helper an" a sta# of them came the see" of men 5 thou "i"st sa#' it is not goo" that the man shoul" be alone 5 let us ma*e him a helper li*e unto him An" no$' F 6or"' Ita*e not this m# sister for lust' but in truth 5 comman" thatI ma# ,n" merc# an" gro$ ol" $ith her4 An" she sai" $ith him' 4Amen4 An" the# slept both that night2An" Raguel arose an" $ent an" "ug a grave' sa#ing' lest he also shoul" "ie An" Raguel came into his house' an" sai" to E"na his $ife' 4sen" the mai")servants an" let them see $hether he be alive 5 but if not that $e ma# bur# him an" no man *no$ it4 (o the mai")servant opene" the "oor an" vent in an" foun" them both sleeping an" came forth an" tol" them that he $as alive An" Raguel blesse" Ho"24The 8e"ic thought is still more a"vance" as the spirits $ho are the o$ners of the girl are not evil spirits li*e Asmo"eus but benefactors' for' 2 (oma Kthe moonJ gives her purit# KcaucaJ' Han"harva' her s$eet voice' an" the ;ire)go" gives her the stainlessness in her $hole bo"# an" being (uch being the gifts besto$e" b# them itis but right that the# shoul" retain the rights of the ,rst night 4A !ut $h# shoul" the# claim this right of theirs onl# $hen the man becomes the legal o$ner of the girl Q ;or $e hear nothing of this romantic reserve on the part of a Tamilian lover "uring the perio" of slialavu4' Is it because supernatural beings of ever# *in" Ino$ that the# can intervene an" appropriate fair $omen onl# if she belongs legall# to a? The Apocr#phaP!oo* of TobitA (e%ual 6ife in Ancient In"ia' MM /e#er' 8ol II p =?@/ARRIAHE 77mortal man /ost probabl# 9 (o men in other countries foun" out a $a# to fool these lustful spirits Either the# ha" the girl "e+o$ere" b# a pro%#' $ho too* the evile-ects on himself or practise" strict continence through their self)"enial an" tortureas "i" Tobias in the case of the Han"harva /arriage' or gave her to the spirits for three nights an" $hen the spirits han"e" her over to the o$ner' the man ha" her/e#er in his 2(e%ual 6ife in Ancient In"ia2 sa#s' 2man# $e""ing customs such as the$ell)*no$n ,ght for the bri"e' her struggles' the pitche" ,ght $ith the bri"egroom' the *eeping bac* of the bri"e an" so on' have been trace" bac* to marriage b# capture Here an" there it ma# be that one at least of the reasons is to be foun" in this !ut originall# probabl# there $as often the purpose of thro$ing "ust in the evil spirits4 e#es 24? (e%ual 6ife in Ancient In"ia b# /e#er 8ol IICHAPTER 8 THE 0I;EOn the "a# $hen the girl ha" been le" to the man $ith the blessing an" in1unction to be truthful commences her responsibilities as a house$ife (he shoul"ers the bur"en of the "uties of the famil# an" tries to be a perfect hostess' a s#mpathetic mistress' the "elicate love' chastising $ife an" the forgiving frien" an" forbearing matronThe $ife as a hostess 6ife $as not al$a#s a be" of roses to a $oman It $as not for nothing that man# un"esirable things escape" from Pan"ora4s bo% One of these evils' $hich has e%iste" in human societ# from time immemorial' is calle" b# the name of prostitution It $as this evil that in1ure" the $ife most vitall# The man' forsa*ing his "ut#' left the $ife for the courtesan This cause" ill)humour bet$een husban" an" $ife an" bet$een them After the perio" of infatuation $as over' he retrace" his steps to the home $ith a guilt# conscience an" e%pecting a chastisement To avoi" the scene that $as inevitable he brought a guest $ith him4 The $ife ha" to $elcome the guest an" entertain him (o she lai" asi"e her grievance against her husban" an" arrange" to ma*e the guest feel at home (he prepare" the meals herself $hile her e#es $atere" b# the smo*e ,lling them an" she often $ipe" the "rops of perspiration gathering on her crescent)shape" forehea" $ith the loose en" of her saree4 Even if the guest $ere to be a tiring sort arriving at an untimel# hour' the $oman receive" him $ith the usual smile an" gavehim? Narrinai @?5 ?AFA Do ?AFTHE 0I;E 7Dfoo" prepare" $ith clari,e" butter4 A $ife' $hile pra#ing to the "eit#' pra#s that thecrops ma# increase so that she ma# fee" a greater number of guestsA (uch $as the "elightful hospitalit# of these house$ivesThe $ife as a s#mpathetic mistress It $as thes#mpath# of the mistress that often ma"e the servants ris* even their master4s "ispleasure The panan attache" to a househol" coul" not bear to see the grief of his mistress cause" b# the man4s unfaithfulness He $oul" see* his master an" b# gentle #et ,rm $or"s tell him of the su-ering of his $ife at home4 Often the servants re1oice at the home)coming of the master' for their mistress $oul" be happ#The ma 'n ha" to leave his home often to a foreign place' earn mone#4 or to "ischarge his "uties to his *ing4 or to pursue his stu"ies4 On these occasions the $ife sel"om accompanie" him an" never $hen he crosse" the $aters4 (ometimes these perio"s of separation $ere ver# long The phase of love' mullai' has been ta*en to mean a$aiting the /over in patience This has been counte" as one of the foremost among the $ifel# "uties Perhaps this phase of love constitute" $hat is technicall# *no$n as 7_i an" this is borne out b# the meaning of the $or" 2 mullai2Hreat $as her su-ering' $hen her husban" "i" not return at the e%pecte" time (ometimes she sent messengers or her mai" "i" so Often she la# envelope" in sorro$' o-ering pra#ers to the various go"s for the safe return )of her lor" In Ne"unalva"ai $e see the grief)stric*en? Narrinai =@A C =D@A Ain*urunuru ?= Do @D?)OF Aham ?@ 3 A@@3 Narrinai ?BDIuruntogai D7)O7@ Tol*appiarn' Porul AO7 Do ?D7B Do ?D7 C =@D Do =@7O HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(&ueen l#ing inconsolable as the $omen come an" tell her ho$ a goo" chance ha" been receive" "uring the propitiation of Iorravai4 (he ha" the coloure" threa" tie" as a protection roun" her $rists giving an impression of the bracelet This sacre" threa" $as $orn "uring the observance of the 8o$ or nonbu KBco"stboirBiJJ' she hasun"erta*en4 Paripa"al an" /ullai**ali give e%amples of the $ives o-ering pra#ers or consulting the sooth)sa#ers for the safe return of their husban"s In another placethe $ife' ve%e" $ith the interminable $aiting' "eclares ver# angril# that she $oul" neither o-er pra#ers to the Ho""ess $ith the Tri"ent nor $oul" she $ear the sacre" threa"' nor consult the sooth)sa#ers nor the omen of the bir"s4 During these "a#s of separation the $ife remove" all her ornaments_ The Tamil matrons consi"ere" themselves as the propert# of the man the# love" an" $hen he $as a$a#' it "i" notbecome a $ife to a"orn herself $ith ornaments Even +o$ers as the s#mbols of the marrie" state $ere use" sparingl#7(imilar i"eas seeme" to have been current among the Ar#ans also (at#abhama' $hile on a visit to Draupa"i $ante" to *no$ the cause of her po$er over the sons of Iunti The latter tol" her that it $as not o$ing to fasting' vo$s of morti,cation or asceticism but because $henever her husban"s $ent on a 1ourne# on some business of the famil#' then she gave up +o$ers' salve an" rouge an" gave herself over to vo$s of morti,cation4? Ne"unal 8a"aiA Do ?? @?@A= Iuruntogai A?O@ Aham A?D7 Narrinai @A Aham ?F@B 2/ahabbarata)8anaparva2THE 0I;E 7tThough en"o$e" $ith all the rights of a mistress' #et these $omen "ispla#e" a ,ne sense of "elicac# Their grief $as not of the roaring t#pe nor $as their tone of the "emonstrative t#pe The $ife in her an%iet# $as as*ing her pet parrot $hether he $oul" come that "a# (u""enl# fearing that someone in the house might hear it an"tease her' she covere" it ver# cleverl# b# preten"ing to teach the parrot the art of speaing? Must li*e this' another $ife on *no$ing that her husban" $as about to leave her' came to him hugging his son an" stoo" in silence $ith her e#es clou"e" $ith tearsAThe sacri,ce ma"e b# $ives 3 As soon as the# $ere marrie" the# change" their #outhful sportiveness an" a"apte" themselves to the ne$ home an" its environment The# $oul" sacri,ce their o$n scruples The# $oul" merge their personalit# entirel# in that of their husban"s In Aham' $e have the follo$ing e%ample A girl $ho $as born an" live" as the onl# "aughter of a ver# $ealth# parent an" $ho live" a life of lu%ur# marrie" a ver# poor man an" accompanie" himto his small village There she live" the life of a poor $oman living in a tin# but of grass All that the couple coul" boast of as their propert# $as the onl# co$ tie" to the onl# pillar of the hut4 Can the contrast be more pictures&ue Q Another e%ample $e ,n" in Narrinai is that of a girl $ho $as born in great prosperit# As a chil"' her foo" consiste" of mil* an" hone# onl# !ut even such "elicac# she coul" be ma"e tota*e onl# after a goo" "eal of trouble an" persuasion Her foster)mother $oul" evenhave often to threaten $ith a small stic* 3 but the chil" $as too naught# even for that (he $oul" run hither or thither pla#ing hi"e an"? AhamA Do= Do =BGBF HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(see* an" ma*ing the foster)mother gasp her breath in chasing her (uch a girl $as' in her marrie" life' force" b# the a"versit# of the husban" to have onl# one frugal meal a "a# an" she $as perfectl# content $ith that Her parents $ere still a]i'J' 0reaths of scarlet' Iutalam K77'A 4raniJ $oven $ith Iutacam' a"orne" their loc*s The# ha" painte" their breasts $ith the colour of *um*um Roun" their nec*s' ma"ebeautiful b# the re"' fragrant po$"er' $ere garlan"s ma"e of the re" +o$ers of Io"uveri 0ith ban"s of corals roun" their $aists' the# seeme" to be the han")mai"s of Iu"al "resse" in re" to $elcome the lor" of $inter2B 2 ;rom? /ahabharata 8III' G@)ABA Rama#ana' I8' A@=@=' @ C 7 Enc#clopae"ia !ritannicaPProstitutionB (ilappa"i*aram EI8' B7)GDO@ HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(the above passage it is unmista*abl# clear that the colour re" $as that prescribe" for the prostitutes No$here else'' has the author brought out the colour scheme so elaboratel# /ahabharata Kviii G@ABJ sa#s that an abhisari*a 4 $ears a re" garment' a re" $reath' re" gol" Dasacumara Caritam also testi,es to this4The Price for a Harlot 3 A nominal price ha" to be pai" b# the man $ishing to secure the services of a harlot /a"havi "ance" before the Chola court' on the "a# of her initiation 2The Iing' being please" $ith her e%traor"inar# s*ill' presente" her $ith ?FFO pieces of gol"' of a"agam variet# After leaving the court the mai"s of the "ancing girl too* a garlan" of hers $ith them cr#ing that he' $ho coul" pa# ?FFO pieces of gol"' coul" secure the services of the enchanting /a"havi Iovalan pai" the re&uire" amount an" $as le" to /a"havi 2A Paripa"al also tal*s of a price beingpai" to a harlot= The harlot calls the man' as the one $ho ha" given her the price of a garlan" Narrinai ?7F also ma*es a faint suggestion of a price being pai" to a harlot b# her manThe Accessories of the (trumpet 3 The harlots ha" their o$n a"herents $ho $ere ma"e use of in their profession The Iama)(utras of 8ats#a#ana mentions the follo$ing as being essential to a harlot 3K?J 0asher)$oman KAJ the barber K=J the +o$erman K@J the "ealer in scents K7J the ven"or of $ines KBJ the men"icant KDJ the co$her" KOJ the supplier of betelleaves' KGJ the gol"smith K?FJ the stor#)teller K??J the pimp' K?AJ the bu-oon K?=J the astrologer K?@J the female artisan an" K?7J a $i"o$4? Daca Iumars Charitam' p 7DA (ilappa"i*aram' ???' ?BF' ?DB= Paripa"al AF@ Iama Iala b# 6al Ianoomal' p A@THE P6ACE O; 8ENA6 6O8E OBOf these ,fteen use" b# the harlot of North In"ia onl# three seem to have been useful to her sister in the profession in the (outh The $asher)$oman' the stor#)teller' $ho ma# be compare" to the Panan' an" the female artiste have been in"ispensable to the parattai The# $ere the tools $ith $hich she fastene" her nails on her victim There are man# instances $here the enrage" $ife +ings abuses at these lo$ t#pes of persons The panan Kstor#tellerJ an" the "ancer ha" the $orst of it at the $ife4s ban"s' One "ame calle" him a fool4 Another re&uests the potter' $ho$as the announcer of festivals' to tell the guileless mothers of the hi""en poison of the panan4s $or"s_ The panan $as not the onl# one that "isturbe" the peace of a home The chariot)"river4' the man4s frien"_ an" the !rahmin ha" also a share in it7The $asher)$omanalso seems to have been an accomplice_The female artiste or virali' as she $as calle" in Tamil' $as' b# convention' the $ife of the panan The panan an" virali $ere' in some cases' itinerant artistes' the man pla#) ing on the instruments an" the $oman "ancing (ome of them seem to have been househol" servants' panan attache" to the man an" virali invariabl# to the harlot 8irali $as hate" li*e poison b# all house$ives In a particular instance the $ife too* her husban" a$a# b# force' "rea"ing the in+uence of the virali4 In anotherplace the virali $as calle" 2 the female ven"or of $omen 42? /aru"a**ali DF' D?' D7' G=' GO5 Aham' 7BA Narrinai =FF' =?F5 Ain*urunur' @GIP AFF= /aru"a**ali D?@ PP D?7 of DAB DAD Narrinai ?DFOf =?FOB HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(The Harlots ta*ing part in (ocial ;unctions such as ;estivals The strumpet $ith her "istinctive "ress an" "$elling $as not "enie" an# civil rights b# the societ# (he ha"been even consi"ere" b# the Ar#ans as an auspicious ob1ect on important5 festive "a#s In (outh In"ia' the harlots $ere not sub1ecte" to an# civil "isabilites as in ancient !ab#lon or ;rance The# coul" freel# visit an# part of the cit# an" ta*e part in an# public function of the (tate' such as festivals The# $ere given all the privileges of an or"inar# citiUen' There are man# instances of the parattai accompan#ing her man to the festivals (he coul" go $ith him to the festival of Iama 8el or /anmatha'4 to pla# on the san"s of 8aigai4 or revel in the 1o# of spring in the groves of /a"ura'4 The parattai coul" even parta*e the re1oicings on the rising of 8aigai' as coul" an# one else (he even pri"e" herself on these occasions' of her po$er over men as coul" be seen from the si%th stanUa in Paripa"al4 /a"haviaccompanie" Iovalan to the ban*s of the Iaveri "uring the In"raNo stigma a"here" to them The ba"ge of their profession "i" not a-ect their )rightsas citiUens /ahabharata' too' in man# places mentions the 8es#as as being ornaments to the festivals' escorts of honour an" atten"ants upon important guests The# $ere on the $hole consi"ere" as a necessit# of social life' accompan#ing men in $ar' hunt an" in other "iversionsThe ;ree"om given to the Harlots to choose their 6ot 3 It is not often that these $omen of pleasure too* to the marrie" state seriousl# There are a fe$? Palai)I)Iali ADA '' AG K?=)?BJ= GF AD@ Paripa"al B' ?B' AF7 (ilappa"igaram IIITHE P6ACE O; 8ENA6 6O8E ODinstances $here the# choose to aban"on their lives of frivolit# an" be faithful to oneman /a"havi $as one of those $ho "onne" the $ee"s of a $i"o$ on the "eath of her lover /anima*halai un"ertoo* to lea" an ascetic4s austere life even at a ver# ten"er age (he seems to have loathe" the miserable life le" b# the $omen of her class (he calls the life of a prostitute as a $ic*e" one having nothing in it e%cept $ine' falsit#' promiscuit# mur"er' insincerit# an" all the other sins shunne" b# persons of honour 9I !ut there $ere not man# of /anime*alai4s t#pe (ome even boaste" of their po$er over men an" their abilit# to ma*e the $ives miserable' One brags that she coul" ma*e her man follo$ her ab1ectivel# as nerinchi +o$ers follo$ the sun 94 Again' another sa#s that if she onl# $ishe"' she coul" snatch him a$a# li*e the Iaveri $ho snatche" Attanatti' the husban" of A"iman"i4Q The thir" seems to have been t#pical of her class (he re1oices in her abilit# to ma*e her man4s $ife miserable (he sa#s to her mai" 2 if the $ife resents m# ac&uaintance $ith her husban"' then come $ith me for a short stroll 0e shall $al* in front of her "oor' $ith our bracelets 1ingling an" ma*ing the $ife beat her stomach' as the panan beats the "rum24The Harlot given the ;ree"em to choose a 6ife of 6ove 3 A life of love coul" be chosen b# the prostitute' if she "esire" to "o so No restriction $as lai" on her b#4 societ# nor $as there an# stigma left on her b# her pro fession Even as late as ?Ath Centur# AD some of the "ancing girls preferre" to marr# an" settle "o$n to a life? /anime*halai EEI8 DA' DG' III' @=)@O E8III ??)?7 A' Iuruntogai' =?7= AlmaJ DB@ 5' ?FBOO HO/E 6I;E A/ONH THE TA/I6(of peace' an" their marriage $as sanctione" b# societ# an" (tate In the front gopuram of the (omanathes$ara temple at Ach#utamangalam' Nannilam' Tan1ore "istrict' is an inscription of Iulottunga III recor"ing the marriage of a "ancing girl attache" to the temple 54 Again at the time of Ra1ara1a II' the "ancing girl name" Catural Catiri Kage orrsir "r)grf?J ha" been mentione" as the $ife of one "ancer Nagan Ia"an in the inscription at Thiruvorri#urA (o it $as that in later times as in the earlier' these $omen coul" marr# an" live' as an#bo"# else Unli*e these' their sisters in ;rance' $hen once registere" as such' coul" not go bac*Con"emnation of Public 0omen 3 Though the $oman of pleasure ha" been consi"ere" as a necessar# appen"age of societ#' #et she ha" never been approve" b# the $ise men ;rom the epic "a#s on$ar"s' she ha" been con"emne" as the abo"e of evil /an# are the $arnings uttere" against her $iles' At Athens' the regulations of (olon $ere "esigne" to preserve public or"er an" "ecenc# Among the ancient Romans' it $as consi"ere" "isgraceful for a man to fre&uent the societ# of prostitutes Merem#' the prophet of Merusalem' has raise" his voice in in"ignation against a harlot4 /an# are the e%hortations foun" in /ahabharata against this evil 8allu$ar' the sage of the Tamil lan"' has a chapter on these $omen He calls them $omen of "uplicit#4 Kfor $hile the# love' the# pilferJ2 He "eclares strongl# that he' $ho associates $ith them' coul" be none but one "eserte" b# ;ortune4 These $omen ha" al$a#s been associate" $ith? /ER @?? of ?GA7A /ER' ?@D of ?G?A= The Epistle of Merem# KApocr#phaJ@ Thiru**ural D=' stanUa GAF7 DoTHE P6ACE O; 8ENA6 6O8E OG"rin* an" "ice' for the# $ere all evils of the same intensit# Parimelala*ar' in his commentar#4 sa#s that it $as the same thing $ith (ans*rit $riters also an" the# calle" these three sister sins as 2 8ithana42 8alluvar4s $or"s seem to echo the sa#ing in /ahabharata There the ruler is sharpl# tol" that 2 "rin*ing)halls an" strumpets' as also tra"ers an" mimes an" gamblers an" others li*e themPall these are to be hel" in chec* as harmful to the *ing"om 0here the# set their feet fast in the *ing"om' the# are an in+iction for honest sub1ects24 It $as not onl# the prophets an" $ise men $ho loathe" this vicious institution but even members of the same hate" it' as "i" /anime*halai In the light of these evi"ences' it cannot still be sai" that in In"ia religion an" prostitution $ere connecte" It $as tolerate" because it ha" to be Those of them that nee"e" the protection of the societ# $ere given it 5 the# coul" "o things as the other $omen One courteUan set up the images of Peri#a Devar an" Nachchi#ar at the (eshapuri Isvarar temple at Tiruppamburam an" gaine" some privileges thereb#4 The choice $as theirs to elevate or "eteriorate themselves' as the# $oul" an" if the# "i" the latter' the men $ho patronise" them $ere also con"emne" b# the public? Parimala*ar4s commentar# KIamanta*am ??)?A@JA /ahabharata G= / E R GA C G@ of ?G??CHAPTER 8III;E(TI8A6(;estivals' $ere great occasions of public re1oicings in the Tamil Countr# The# often provi"e" chances for the sub1ects to come into contact $ith their rulers Rich an" poor ali*e too* part in these celebrations /en an" $omen freel# mingle" in the re1oicings in the most perfect social spiritThe festival of rising of the rivers' In"ra 8ila of the Chola lan"' the festival at the hill of Tirupara*unram' Palguni 8ila an" Iarthigai 8ila' $ere some of the principal festivals in the Tamil lan"The rising of rivers especiall# that of the 8aigai of Pan"#an countr# an" the Iaveri ofthe Chola lan" $ere haile" $ith great enthusiasm b# the people Rivers $ere the chief sources of $ater suppl# to the agriculturist of the Tamil lan" As in the other earl# societies of the $orl"' the *ing in the Tamil lan" $as hel" responsibile for bringing rainfall an" prosperit# to his *ing"omIt is interesting to note ho$ in man# parts of the $orl" the *ing $as suppose" to be the rain)ma*er !lame for the absence of rains an" the conse&uent failure of crops $as almost invariabl# lai" at his "oor 2 In some parts of 0est Africa' $hen pra#ers an" o-erings presente" to the *ing have faile" to procure rain' his sub1ects bin" him$ith ropes an" ta*e him b# force to the grave of his forefathers that he ma# obtain from them the nee"e" rain42 /anu "escribes the bene,ts of a goo" reign as follo$s 3 2 In that countr# $here the *ing avoi"s ta*ing the propert# of mortal sinners' men are born in "ue time an" are long live"? The Hol"en !ough KAbri"ge"J p OB;XEITI8A6( GIAn" the crops of the husban" men spring up' each as it $as so$n an" the chil"ren "ie not an" no misshapen o-)spring is born24 8alluvar' the great ethical teacher of the Tamil lan"' in his o$n crisp manner sa#s that 2 the lan" $hich is not rule" 1ustl# $ill lose its fertilit# 5 the men of"uties4 KbrahminsJ $ill lose their *no$le"ge2goJ"r' Hesrrai> ceoarearnmir Rsri6rruGD gJ?BF3??D C77?D?G)AI6I robB??D)@B? B?S?S an)6b H6MS6SIIJ6I666TC;r ?7'X5r@GS CC@S K='@7SD?Fa?JS?@ O- gDT6I8O68iii'Err'DM'J?Cfr CI8aIT aUroa,5Or 2 K7'roth)J 7BFThroughout the ages *ings have been consi"ere" to be responsible for causing rainfall an" agricultural prosperit# Rivers being the main sources of $ater suppl#' *ings sought to maintain an unbrea*able connection $ith them b# treating them as their bri"es 2 In the legen" of the nuptials of Numa an" Egeria $e have a reminiscence of a sacre" marriage $hich the ol" Roman *ings regularl# contracte" $ith the go""ess of vegetation an" $ater for the purpose of enabling him to "ischarge his "ivine or magical function' 2A 0e have no such "e,nite information that the three *in of the Tamil lan" un"er$ent the formalit# of an# marriage $ith the rivers 5 but there is a slight evi"ence to sho$ that the 8aigai an" the Iaveri $ere hel" as the bri"es of the Pan"#a an" Chola Iings' respectivel#=The river $as al$a#s regar"e" as the chief ornament of the countr#Avvai' the belove" poetess of (outh In"ia' sa#s that a cit# $ithout a river is "evoi" of beaut# K@#''nGBi$ir PgFB@ stpt oiJJ Paripa"al' an antholog# belonging to Ettutho*a? The Hol"en !ough Kabri"ge"J p OGA Y p ?@D= (ilappa"i*aram' IanalvariGA RO/E 6I;E A/O/O THE TA/I6(collection has ?AB pieces in praise of the 8aigai' the river of the Pan"#as2 Oomab(r7F@str(att)?A' P uU,iilaftuii?B??B?????@ 6IA// 6orrugitog fbrfoirHssiru HB?inuur+ tin c>iiJgioth2(uch is the importance of rivers an" it is no $on"er that the Tamil people regar"e" the rising of rivers as important occasions of public re1oicingIn the follo$ing is "escribe" ho$ the people of /a"ura celebrate" the rising of the 8aigai32 The 8aigai $as over+o$ing her ban*s A 1o#ous shout $as sent up b# the populace The entire cit# of /a"ura $as ringing $ith the cr# 8aigai in spate' come an" see the glorious sight /en an" $omen' ol" an" #oung ran pellmell to $itness it (ome $ent in chariots 3 some on elephants $hich stoo" gaUing at their sculpture"mates (ome carrie" teral K$ineJ an" ahil KaegiliaJ to "r# their $et tresses /an# carrie" $ith them little o-erings of gol"en ,sh an" +o$ers 2? 2The cutting3 of "amsan" a"mission of the $ater into the canals an" ,el"E


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