Spgm 004 - Narration By Poet Sathanar Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

At that moment was there,
A poet by name Sathanar.
In Tamil an erudite scholar
Of that time he was popular.

He told the monk, "I know why
They took her up above the sky? "
He narrated its background,
Of whatever facts he found.

"Pugar was a famous town,
The capital of the domain
Ruled by the Dynasty Cholan,
Who wore a victorious crown."

"There lived in that town,
A rich merchant, Kovalan
With Kannagi, his wife,
Spending a carefree life."

"All his precious wealth he lost,
In the company of a dancer at last.
Then he came back to his house,
To live with Kannagi, his spouse."

"Only her two anklets were left,
What the remnant she had kept,
Which he then wished to sell,
Just to restart his days well."

"Both reached Madurai Town,
A poets' praised popular one,
Full of mansions rich and tall,
Which was King Pandian's capital."

"In hand he took her one anklet,
And went thro' the market.
On the way, a goldsmith he met,
And his desire to sell it he let."

"The goldsmith had earlier stolen,
One of the queen's anklets golden.
Timely this new piece came,
Which looked like the same."

"He worked out a devilish plan,
To involve this innocent man,
Stating none other than the king,
Can buy such a costly thing."

"He bade Kovalan there to stay,
And went to the king to say,
That the queen's stolen anklet
From a stranger's hand he got."

"As the fate rules everyone,
It spared not poor Kovalan.
Destiny played its vital role,
To lay its hands on this soul."

"No enquiry was made.
What the goldsmith said,
The king simply heard,
And he took his every word."

"In the spur of the moment,
He passed an instant judgment.
He sent soldiers to the spot
To kill him and bring the anklet."

"To execute the King's orders,
There rushed the obedient soldiers.
The innocent Kovalan they killed.
Thus his command they fulfilled."

"Not finding a place for herself,
Wept and cried his helpless wife.
A chaste woman she being,
She caused the death of the king."

"She then invoked the Fire God,
Cried and prayed to the Lord
To burn the entire town,
And destroy it fast down."

"What a chaste woman she was.
Thus all her deeds and cause,
Everyone praised this woman,
Whom the tribal had seen."

Thus spoke Sathanar, the poet.
The monk didn't remain quiet,
But asked him about the result
Of one's deeds against the fate?
***