Thread by @almightykarthik

There's a well-known adage in Tamil - கற்றது கைமண் அளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு. Its English equivalent would be 'Known is a drop, unknown is an ocean'.

Story Time! Let me narrate an incident involving Bhagwan Murugan and Avvaiyar.

@anexcommie @shreekanth2020 @HelloNNewman

But, before that, let me give you a quick and paraphrased introduction of ‘Avvaiyar’

Avvaiyars (Tamil: ஔவையார்; ‘Respectable Women’) was title of more than one poet who was active during different periods of Tamil literature.

The Avvaiyar were some of the most famous and important female poets of the Tamil canon. Abithana Chintamani states that there were three female poets honoured wih the title of Avvaiyar. There’s no name to be found (at least I couldn’t) for any of the three Avvyaiyars.
@shri_v

Among them, Avvaiyar I lived during the Sangam period (c. 1st and 2nd century CE) and had cordial relation with the Tamil chieftains Vēl Pāri and Athiyamān. She wrote 59 poems in the Puṟanāṉūṟu.

@RajiIndustani @wataboutery @Itishree001 @Sanskritii_1

Avvaiyar II lived during the period of Kambar and Ottakoothar during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the 13th century. She is often portrayed as an old and intelligent lady. She wrote many of the poems that remain very popular even now and are inculcated in school textbooks +

+ in Tamil Nadu. These books include a list of dos and don’ts, useful for daily life, arranged in simple and short sentences.

Back to the story – Avvaiyar (in her old age), considered that she has achieved everything that is to be achieved, and is said to have been +

pondering her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under Naaval Pazham (Jamun or Black Plum) tree. Her musings were cut short by a shepherd boy (who's really Bhagwan Murugan - Tamizh Kadavul Himself).

@rspchary @Sankar2Narayan @rsankaras

Seeing the old women resting under the tree, the shepherd boy asked if she'd like to have some Naaval Pazham. When Avvaiyar responded in affirmative, He asked, if she'd like normal ones or the ones that are hot.

@Valluva_Bharati @Padmaavathee @_VSriram

Avvaiyar was perplexed and replied, there's no such distinction as far as she knows. The Shepherd boy reassures her tht there're indeed variety of Hot & Normal Naaval Pazham. She accedes and requests for normal ones.

@Sarvavyaapi @AparBharat

The shepherd boy hits tree branches with his stick and the fruits fell on soil. Avvaiyar picks up the fruit and seeing tht it has dirt on it, she blows air on it. The shepherd boy smirks at seeing this and inquires whether the fruits are Hot?
@hathyogi31 @Anshulspiritual

Avvaiyar realises that she, who's been contemplating abt her achievements in Tamil literature, has been tricked by a boy in simple word play. She looks at the boy in shock and utters
‘கருங்காலிக் கட்டைக்கு நாணாக்கோ டாலி
இருங்கதலித் தண்டுக்கு நாணும் பெருங்கானில்
@RapperPandit

Meaning: ‘An iron axe that didn’t even develop a chip while used on ‘Karugali Katta’ (Ebony tree wood), actually broke when used on a banana stem.’

She implores the boy to reveal his true self, Bhagwan Muruga did so and blessed her. @desi_thug1 @InfoVedic

It is said that this incident made her realise that there was still a lot more to be done and learnt. Following this awakening, Avvaiyar is believed to have undertaken a fresh set of literary works, targeted at children. These works, even after centuries, are often among +

+ the very first literature that children are exposed to in Tamil Nadu schools.

Let’s be open-minded and ready to learn lessons we often come across. This may come across as unpopular, but it’s also essential to learn about bad things/wrong information.

Else, how will one know what to keep and what to discard?

Have a great rest of the day!

@BesuraTaansane

Content Source: poemhunter.com
Pics: Bing