kurals of aNanku (sacred female power in Dravidian lore)

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These kurals tell of the ananku of a princess. The ancient Tamil

word ananku means 'affliction, allure, female power (which inheres

in women)', and is also a name of the Goddess. Ananku was important

in ancient Dravidian religion as the sacred power of women. In this

chapter, a lover sees the princess's beauty and is overwhelmed with

the shakti power of her presence.

 

Chapter 109. Mental Disturbance Caused by the Beauty of the Princess

(takaiyaNankuRuttal)

 

1081.

aNanku kol ây mayil kollô

kanankuzhai mâtarkol mâluma en neñcu

 

Is this jeweled female a celestial, a choice peahen, or a human

being? My mind is perplexed.

 

Goddess? Or peafowl rare?

She whose ears rich jewels wear,

Is she a maid of human kind?

All wildered is my mind!

 

1082.

nôkkinân nôkketir nôkkutal

tâkkaNanku tânaikkoN Tanna tuTaittu

 

This female beauty returning my looks is like a celestial maiden

coming with an army to contend against me.

 

She of the beaming eyes,

To my rash look her glance replies,

As if the matchless goddess' hand

Led forth an armèd band.

 

1083.

paNTaRiyên kûRRen patanai iniyaRintên

peNTakaiyâl pêramâk kaTTu

 

I never knew before what is called Yama; I see it now; it is the

eyes that carry on a great fight with (the help of) female qualities.

 

Death's form I formerly

Knew not; but now 'tis plain to me:

He comes in lovely maiden's guise,

With soul-subduing eyes.

 

1084.

kaNTâr uyiruNNum tôRRattâl

peNTakaip pêtaikku amarttana kaN

 

These eyes that seem to kill those who look at them are as it were

in hostilities with this feminine simplicity.

 

In sweet simplicity,

A woman's gracious form hath she,

But yet those eyes, that drink my life,

Are with the form at strife!

 

1085.

kûRRamô kaNNô piNaiyô maTavaral

nôkkamim mûnRum uTaittu

 

Is it Yama, a pair of eyes or a hind? - Are not all these three in

the looks of this maid?

 

The light that on me gleams,

Is it death's dart? or eye's bright beams?

Or fawn's shy glance? All three appear

In form of maiden here.

 

1086.

koTumpuruvam kôTâ maRaippin

naTunkañar ceyyala manivaL kaN

 

Her eyes will cause me no trembling sorrow, if they are properly

hidden by her cruel arched eyebrows.

 

If cruel eye-brow's bow,

Unbent, would veil those glances now;

The shafts that wound this trembling heart

Her eyes no more would dart.

 

1087.

kaTâak kaLiRinmêR kaTpaTâm mâtar

paTâa mulaimêl tukil

 

The cloth that covers the firm bosom of this maiden is like that

which covers the eyes of a rutting elephant.

 

As veil o'er angry eyes

Of raging elephant that lies,

The silken cincture's folds invest

This maiden's panting breast.

 

(Note: compare the similar image used for the Goddess in verse 7 of

the Saundaryalahari: "kvaNat kâñcîdâmâ karikalabha kumbha stana

bharâ - Banded with a tinkling girdle, heavy with breasts like the

frontal lobes of young elephants".)

 

1088

oNNutar kôo uTaintatê ñâTapinuL

naNNârum uTkumen pîTu

 

On her bright brow alone is destroyed even that power of mine that

used to terrify the most fearless foes in the battlefield.

 

Ah! woe is me! my might,

That awed my foemen in the fight,

By lustre of that beaming brow

Borne down, lies broken now!

 

1089.

piNaiyêr maTanôkkum nâNum uTaiyâTku

aNiyevaRô etila tantu

 

Of what use are other jewels to her who is adorned with modesty, and

the meek looks of a hind?

 

Like tender fawn's her eye;

Clothed on is she with modesty;

What added beauty can be lent

By alien ornament?

 

1090.

uNTârkaN allatu aTunarâk kâmampôl

kaNTâr makizhceytal inRu

 

Unlike boiled honey which yields delight only when it is drunk, love

gives pleasure even when looked at.

 

The palm-tree's fragrant wine,

To those who taste yields joys divine;

But love hath rare felicity

For those that only see!

 

Note.

In ancient India, the "gandharva marriage" was a private union

between two lovers, "proceeding entirely from love without

ceremonies and without consulting relatives." (Monier-Williams,

Sanskrit-English Dictionary, p. 346). The Kama Sutra says:

 

Love is the goal of the marriage union, and although the gândharva

marriage is not the most recommended, it remains the best.

 

Marriage can bring many joys and sorrows. Because it is based on

love, the gândharva marriage is the best.

-Kama Sutra. 3.5.29-30