Spgm 062 - Kovalan's Mind Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Kovalan, took the food,
And happily went aside.
She gave him betel leaves,
Rolled in scented nut pieces.

He took her in his arms,
And he eyed her charms.
He began to speak to her
On the injustice done to her.

"With these tender feet,
You walked in the forest,
Stepped o'er prickly stones,
Unmindful of your pains."

"Even with your high fever
You came with me here.
My troubles only you share,
With no complaints whatever."

"What kind of pains
My two beloved parents
Now in their old age,
Suffer at this stage? "

"It's a trick and ill fate,
Not knowing the fact,
I did this misdeed.
Now I regret indeed."

"Amidst wild gossipers,
And adulterous debauchees
I wasted my life time
In moving with them."

"I was subject to criticism.
With no morals I used to roam.
I considered as poison
Any good advice given."

"Do I've any good habit?
This I very much doubt.
I cared not my parents' words
And I did several misdeeds."

"To Madhavi the wise and young,
I gave her no good but only wrong.
Also I never thought it wise
To bring you to this place."

"When I said, you start with me,
Why you got up and came with me?
I regret now for what I've done."
This way he began to mourn.

KANNAGI'S REPLY

Kannagi replied:

"I've failed in many ways
In my duties for countless days,
I haven't fed Pundits,
Also not honored Brahmins."

"I paid no obeisance to saints.
I haven't entertained guests.
Your old parents came once
To see me in your absence."

"Their anger on you they hid.
Show of love for me they did.
They showered praises on me.
They felt sympathy for me."

"I just showed them a smile.
They could see for a while
That behind it hid my pain
Due to your long separation."

"The deeds not to be done
By any respectable man,
Those you've already done,
But with you I ever remain."

"None can change my love,
Which for you only I've,
So, I came behind you
When you called, it's true."