96.3 Nobility

 96.3 Nobility

Question:

What if there are faults with people of noble birth?

Answer:

The faults of the noble will be exposed conspicuously like the

dark spots on the moon.                                                                     (Couplet – 957)

Rude behavior without compassion by people of noble birth will

raise doubts about the legitimacy of his birth.                                   (Couplet – 958)

 

குடிப்பிறந்தார் கண்விளங்கும் குற்றம் விசும்பின்

மதிக்கண் மறுப்போல் உயர்ந்து.                                        (குறள் – 957)

நலத்தின்கண் நாரின்மை தோன்றின் அவனைக்

குலத்தின்கண் ஐயப் படும்.                                                   (குறள் – 958)

Explanation:

            The shortcomings, if any, in the expected good behavior of people of noble birth will be rare and obviously noticeable, like the dark spots on the surface of the bright moon. Their deviation from good behavior will raise doubts about the legitimacy of their birth. The incident cited by the poet Thamarpal Kannanaar (தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார்)  in poem 43 of Puranaanuuru (புறனானூறு) is an example where the legitimacy of the birth of a Chola king is doubted because of his rude behavior.

 

            The Chola king Nalangkilli’s younger brother Maavalaththaan (சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளியின் தம்பி மாவளத்தான்) and poet Thamarpal Kannanaar were playing a game of dice. One of the dice was missing. Maavalaththaan suspected that the poet had concealed the dice. When he found the dice near the poet, he got angry at the poet and threw the dice at the poet. Shocked by Maavalathththaan’s rude behavior, the poet said, “I have my doubts as to your origins! None of your ancestors who wore the garlands of mountain ebony flowers made Brahmins suffer! How can you?”