சங்க இலக்கியங்கள் காட்டும் தமிழ் ஏழு வள்ளல்களின் கொடைமடம் – ஒரு மீள்பார்வை

The 'Kodaimadam' (Naivety in Generosity) of the Seven Tamil Patrons as Depicted in Sangam Literature: A Review

Abstract

In the Tamil literary tradition, virtue (Aram) has always been highly revered. Right from ancient times, the significance of virtue is evident through the Tolkappiyam verse, "Inbamum porulum aranum endraangu" (Pleasure, wealth, and virtue), as well as through the section on virtue (Arathuppal) in the Thirukkural, the universal book of ethics. Various forms of virtue, such as domestic virtue and the ethics of warfare, have been emphasized throughout Tamil literature. Among these, the virtue of charity (Kodai) has been celebrated as one of the loftiest. Numerous poems concerning both the givers and receivers of charity are found throughout Sangam literature. Within the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies), the collection titled Purananuru speaks highly of various patrons and the gifts they bestowed. As an extension of this, Nallur Nathathanar, the author of Sirubanarrupadai, categorizes seven great patrons and details the excellence of their benevolence.

Among these seven, the charity of Pari, who offered his chariot to a climbing jasmine vine (Mullai), and Began, who offered his shawl to a shivering peacock, is elevated and described as Kodaimadam (naivety or ignorance driven by extreme generosity). Tamil literature does not view this as an act of foolish ignorance; rather, it describes it as Kodaimadam, praising these deeds as gifts born out of an abundance of love and compassion. Nevertheless, studies have been conducted on this concept of Kodaimadam from Marxist and psychological perspectives. This paper re-examines Kodaimadam, the seven individuals identified as patrons, and the reasons behind why they came to be known as the Kadaiyezhu Vallalgal (The Last Seven Patrons).