National Integration Through Thirukkural And Sanskrit
Friendship
Kopperunchozhan was the most famous king of Chozha kingdom in South India. He was a very brave and courageous warrior and also a wonderful poet. So he had so many friends who were poets during his period. Pisir Andhaiyaar was the greatest Tamil poet of his time. He belonged to a neighbouring Pandian empire and resided in a village called Pisir.
Pisiranthaiyar liked the kingdom of Kopperunchozhan by looking at his poetic contributions and respect for poets. He had became his great fan without even having seen him in person. He had imagined himself as the best friend of the Chozha King.
One day, after having some difference of opinion in the administration of the Kingdom with his sons, the Chozha King decided to give up life by performing fast unto his death. It was customary in ancient days, to fast unto death by sitting on a heap of sand in the middle of a temple pond, facing north towards Lord Siva. Chozha King chose a place called ‘Uraiyur’ and instructed his ministers to prepare another seat for his poet friend Pisiranthaiyar also. He told them, that the Poet would definitely come before his death.
The Chola king started the fast. The news of the King’s fast started spreading to neighbouring kingdoms. It also reached Pisiranthaiyar. He could not image life without the King and started to run towards the place to enable him to see the King. After days of long journey and without even having a cup of water, he managed to reach the place. On looking at Pisiranthaiyar for the first time, the Chola King hugged him with tears in his eyes. They both wept thinking about their pure friendship which pushed them to be together in the stage of death. They sat together and went to heaven.
This story is the epitome of human friendship and Thiruvalluvar in his Couplet 785 says, it is not necessary to even know each other or meet at frequent intervals to keep friendship alive. Compatible wavelength without even seeing or meeting each other can result in intimate bondage between people.
புணர்ச்சி பழகுதல் வேண்டா உணர்ச்சிதான்
நட்பாம் கிழமை தரும்
Punarchchi Pazha-gudhal Vendaa Unarchchi-dhaan
Natpaam Kizhamai Tharum
பரிமேலழகர் உரை:
புணர்ச்சி பழகுதல் வேண்டா – ஒருவனோடு ஒருவன் நட்பாதற்குப் புணர்ச்சியும் பழகுதலுமாகிய காரணங்கள் வேண்டுவதில்லை; உணர்ச்சிதான் நட்பாம் கிழமை தரும் – இருவர்க்கும் ஒத்த உணர்ச்சி தானே நட்பாம் உரிமையைக் கொடுக்கும். (புணர்ச்சி: ஒரு தேயத்தராதல். ‘இன்றே போல்க நும் புணர்ச்சி'(புறம்.58) என்றதும் அதனை. பழகுதல் – பலகால் கண்டும் சொல்லாடியும் மருவுதல். இவ்விரண்டும் இன்றிக் கோப்பெருஞ்சோழனுக்கும் பிசிராந்தையார்க்கும் போல உணர்ச்சி யொப்பின், அதுவே உடன் உயிர் நீங்கும் உரிமைத்தாய நட்பினைப் பயக்கும் என்பதாம். (புற.நா.217) நட்பிற்குப் புணர்ச்சி, பழகுதல், உணர்ச்சியொத்தல் என்னும் காரணம் மூன்றனுள்ளும், பின்னது சிறப்புடைத்து என்பது இதனான் கூறப்பட்டது.).
Sanskrit Translation by Shri S.N. Srirama Desikan
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