Sunday, July 29, 2007

Misinterpreted Quotes

The life of a Tamilian or anyone for that matter would not be complete without using Quotes, Proverbs and Old Sayings when they communicate. Mostly these old sayings are used as a guide to one's moral behaviour and a disciplined life. The origin of most of these old sayings and quotes are quite unknown but they have a real good impact on peoples' lives even to the present day. Those sayings are experiences of our ancestors that have been passed on till today.

The interesting part of some of these old quotes is that some of them have had a very interesting transformation, so that people are oblivious of its original meaning. Also the new meanings given to those quotes are quite relevant too! The most interesting part is that the original meaning is conveyed so elegantly, short and concise. Some of them even have a story or a legend behind them. Some of these quotes have some word transformations too that might make them more relevant and interesting.

Let us see take a look at the first one



"Aarilum Saavu, Noorilum Saavu"

the present day meaning, Death occurs even at the age of six and at the age of hundred

Aaru - Six
Saavu - Death
Nooru - One hundred

This meaning is quite acceptable and is advised to those in dejection in life and console them or bring some confidence in them. So that the affected persons will throw off their worries and get back to normalcy. Because in this world people die at the age of six and at the age of hundred, so there is no point in being dejected or disoriented. Just live the life until you can and put in your best efforts.

But the actual meaning is a way different and has a story behind it too, but there is a subtle similarity between the old and new meanings. The saying was to illustrate the position of Karnan, the greatest and the most generous person of all times. The story is that Karnan came to know that he is the son of Kunti Devi, making him the eldest of the Five Pandavas. So including him there are six Pandavas. The enemies of Pandavas - The Kauravas - were 100 in number. Karnan was in a confusion, whether to fight against the Kauravas, joining as the sixth force among the Pandavas, or to fight against his brothers joining the 100 Kauravas. Finally, the gratitude he owed to Dhuryodhana won and made him think, that even if I fight as the Six Pandavas and 100 Kauravas, the result is going to be his death. So he did not want to betray his friend Dhuryodhana who helped him get the recognition he has now. And he fought with Dhuryodhana and died as a great warrior that even Lord Krishna held him his high regards.

The next one is still interesting



"Shiva Poojayil Karadi Pugundha Maadhiri"

meaning, a bear entering when the Pooja (Worship) is being conducted for Lord Shiva. Which is, obstructive to the holy or the auspicious event happening.

Pooja - Worship
Karadi - Bear
Pugundha - Entering
Maadhiri - like

This quote is used when there is any hindrance during an auspicious or an important event is going on.

But actually the meaning of it has been misinterpreted. Karadi also means a wind instrument that resembles a circular shaped long horn. The Karadi is blown when the worship, especially the Deepa Aradhana is being performed in a Lord Shiva's Pooja. So the sound of the Karadi entering the Shiva's Pooja indicate something important happening inside the Sanctum. But later this quote got misinterpreted, with the Karadi (the bear) for Karadi (The horn).



"Kallai Kandaal Naayai Kanom
Naayai Kandaal Kallai Kanom"

meaning, when you find a stone to pelt, the dog is missing. And when you find a dog, there is no stone to pelt at it.

Kall - Stone
Kandaal - Seeing, finding
Naai - Dog
Kanom - Missing

But actually this quote refers to the statue of Lord Bhairava, a form of Shiva with the Dog has his mount. It is rather told to describe the gestalt in finding the supreme being. When you see the Lord Bhairava statue as a stone, you don't see the divine aspect in it. But if you see the divine aspect you don't see the stone in it.

The final one is



"Adi Udhavukindra Maadhiri
Annan Thambi Udhava Maatargal"


meaning, Brothers, elder and younger, won't be helpful as beating and thrashing someone helps in getting something done.

Adi - Beating, Thrashing, Chappals, Bottom most thing, Feet
Udhavi - Help
Maadhiri - like
Annan - Elder Brother
Thambi - Younger Brother
Maatargal - Negation of accepting to do things

The actual meaning is that of from Ramayana. When Lord Rama when to the forests for 14 years giving up the country and throne to his brother Bharatha. Bharatha came running meet Lord Rama and asked begged him to come back to the country and accept the throne. And Bharatha said that he will not to sit on the throne that his brother Rama deserves. Rama advised Bharatha a lot, but in vain. The people in the country were really sad that they do not have a King to rule the country. Bharatha then requested Rama for his Padhugai and told that he will run the country with the Rama's Padhugai in place of Rama in the throne, until Rama comes back from the forest after 14 years. So it means that as the Adi (Padhugai) helped to rule the country, the elder brother Rama and the younger brother Bharatha did not help the people in being the King and ruling the country.

Though these quotes have transformed in content and meaning over time, the actual message that was conveyed has to pass on too. These quotes have been passed on for generations with the literal or more straight-forwardly applicable meaning taking predominance. The actual meaning, if any, should be probed and preserved for the days to come

More to come, until then...

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Prabu,

Thanks for the explanations. I didn't know some of them.

Voracious Blog Reader

R. Prabhu said...

Thanks for coming by Voracious Blog Reader and good to hear that the post was useful!

Aboorva said...

Mundina post ala unga Kai vantha parthane (Photo), Enga Ungaloada Shinthani Attralai parthu Veyankiponane. Very informative and usefull

R. Prabhu said...

Thanks Aboorva!

kvijayendran said...

Good article da, very informative.

Ravi said...

Hi Prabhu,
Arumai, arumai, miga arumai. But andha Siva pujai explanation dhaan innum puriyala. Sometime back
I read a different explanation for the same expression. You can find it here:
http://adrenalinrush.blogspot.com/2006/05/sivan-puja-la-karadi.html
But even that was not so convincing because we use the phrase to refer some unwanted intrusion in the midst of something important for us right? Reading this post reminded me of your other explanations to "16 petru peru vaazhvu vaazhga" and "Pasi eduthaal paththum parandhu pohum".
I think I should start compiling your posts one by one. Great work Prabhu. Thanks a looooot again!!

R. Prabhu said...

@Vijayendran
Thanks da

@Renie

Thanks for the info, will sure join!

R. Prabhu said...

Hi Ravi,

Good to see you back after a very long time!!! Actually, if you had seen our good old Ramayana shown in DD, there will be guards in the gate who blow out a horn, when Ravana enters his palace. Such a horn is called Karadi, and it marks something important happening because that Karadi (Horn) is being blown. But the music instrument (Karadi) was misinterpreted for the bear (Karadi). I also read the other post you pointed out, it too seems reasonable enough and i have heard of that too, it was a practice following during Krishnadeva Raya period.

Ravi said...

Thanks and also thanks for asking about me in Sree's blog. I read the old post's comments only after reading Sree's note. As I said, I cannot comment on blogspot from office but can read the posts though.

Anonymous said...

Prabhu, nice to read these. Do you have an explanation for:
'Vara vara maamiyAr kazhuthai polae'

'pasi vanthAl patthum parandu pOm'

'KiNaru veTTA bhUtam kiLambiTRu'

Thanks,
subbu

R. Prabhu said...

Thanks Mr. Subbu,

'Vara vara maamiyAr kazhuthai polae'

'KiNaru veTTA bhUtam kiLambiTRu'


I don't remember the story or history behind these quotes, but will try to find them and post them in my blog!

'pasi vanthAl patthum parandu pOm'

This one is a song by Avaiyar and there is a post already please see here, The 16 and 10

Anonymous said...

NanRi prabhu,

Regarding Avvayyar's aram singing and accomplishing things, i am reminded of Thiru Jnana sambandar (Or was it Appar?)singing 'ThaaL thiravAi, Alaya MaNikkadave...' and the temple locks broke open.

What is the meaning of 'Aathi chooDi'? Avvayyar is said to have composed this.

VAzhga unadu IRai bhakti, vaLarga unadu tamizhp patRu.

Here is a verse i composed, inspired by the style of the Tirumandiram:

piRappiRappAm perum piNiyinil vADi
piRappiRappRukkum guruvinai nADi
piRappiRappaRukkum marundinai unDu
piRappiRappaRundu magizhndu nindrene

I hope the meaning is quite clear.

Warm regards,
subbu

R. Prabhu said...

Mr. Subbu, mikka nandri.

Aathichoodi refers to lord Shiva - Aathi Marathin Poovai Soodiyathal, Aathi also means Wealth. So Aathichoodi refers to a treasure trove.

The song is great! I could make it more clearly if i could get the Tamil version of it

And yes it was Appar who sang this song.

Btw is the site www.geocities.com/nayanmars yours?

balar said...

பிரபு, பல பலமொழிகளுக்கு இதுவரை தெரிநிந்திராத விளக்கம் கொடுத்து வழக்கம்போல அச்த்தி இருக்கீங்க..

//அடி உதவுகின்ற மாதிரி
அண்ணன் தம்பி உதவ மாட்டார்கள்//

இந்த பலமொழிக்கு பல தமிழாசிரியர்களும் தர்ம் அடியைதான் விளக்கமாக் கொடுத்தார்க்ள் என்பதை இதை படித்தவுடன் ஆச்சரிய பட வைக்கிறது..

தொடர்ந்து கலக்குங்கள்..:)

Anonymous said...

naNbA prabhu,
Tell me how do i use Tamil fonts? In my pc i have installed 'baraha' tamil fonts, very easy to use. Do i have to first compose in word file and then cut and paste? will the comments box on your blog take it? Is there a simple way of composing on this box itself?

I have pasted the song from my file. see if you can convert the font to make sense.

The nayanmars site is not mine. By the way, there is a fine song of Sundarar, thiruthondathokai, 10th pathigam. you can look for it in the shaivam.org site. this song is marvellous.

Àò¾Ã¡ö À½¢Å¡÷¸û ±øÄ¡÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
ÀÃÁ¨É§Â À¡ÎÅ¡÷ «Ê¡÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
º¢ò¾ò¨¾î º¢Åý À¡§Ä ¨Åò¾¡÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
¾¢ÕÅ¡å÷ À¢Èó¾¡÷¸û ±øÄ¡÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
Óô§À¡Ðõ ¾¢Õ§ÁÉ¢ ¾£ñÎÅ¡÷ì¸Ê§Âý
ÓØ¿££Ú ⺢ ÓÉ¢Å÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
«ôÀ¡Öõ «Ê÷ó¾ «Ê¡÷ìÌõ «Ê§Âý
¬åáý ¬åâø «õÁ¡Û측§Ç .

[…¤ó¾Ãã÷ò¾¢ ¿¡ÂÉ¡÷ «ÕǢö¾ ¾¢Õò¦¾¡ñ¼ò¦¾¡¨¸ - Àò¾¡ÅÐ À¡ÍÃõ]

http://www.shaivam.org/nathokai.html

[Meaning of the above verse: Slave I am of all those who surrender to the Lord as His devotees. Slave I am of those servants of the Lord who sing His praises alone. Slave am I of also those who have pledged their hearts to Shiva. Slave am I of all those blessed souls born in the Holy town of TiruvArUr. Slave I am of those who are constantly in ‘touch’ with the Divine Body, Chid-vapuH. (In this line there is the Advaitic concept of a realized person being in akhandAkAra vritti, ‘TirumEni’ always.) I am the slave of those sages who have adorned themselves with the Holy Ash. I am the slave of those devotees, Jnanis, who have attained videha mukti. This is conveyed by the word: ‘appAlum = ‘hereafter’ that is after leaving this mortal coil, aDicchArnda’= merged in the Supreme. I am in eternal servitude to the Lord, ArUrAn, of the Holy Temple Town: TiruvArur.]

And there is the song where the line: vAnil suDar varumo, enakku iDar varumo'.. by AbhirAmi Bhattar and there appeared the Full Moon on an amAvAsai day.

Best regards,
subbu

R. Prabhu said...

@balar

Mikka Nandri, romba naal aachu paathu, eppadi irukeenga!

@Subbu

Thanks Subbu, for the song, it was great, btw you could use this link to type in Tamil Unicode and then copy paste it to the comments box
http://www.higopi.com/ucedit/Tamil.html

Thanks once again for the song!

Anonymous said...

Hi Prabhu,
With great difficulty i typed using the above link. This is the way originally i had composed the song inspired by Tirumandiram style.

But why are some strange zeros appearing inbetween? how to eraze them?

பிறபபிறப்பாம் ெபறும் பிணியினில் வாடி
பிறப்பிறபறுக்கும் குருவிைன நாடி
பிறப்பிறபறுக்கும் மருந்திைன அருநதி
பிற்ப்பிறப்பறுந்து சிறந்து நின்றேன


குறிப்பு: பிறப்பு + இறப்பு அறுக்கும் அறுந்து

Regards,
subbu

balar said...

prabhu fine here..neenga eppadi irukkeenga..
meendum adutha postukku varukiren..:))