A short read post:
Something that's been running in my head for a while now.
How many Tamilians know that Sundarara Murthy Nayanar,8th Century AD Tamil poet has actually written about Stockholm Syndrome centuries before the term 'Stockholm Syndrome' came into being.
In his padigam "Meela adimai", about Thiruvarur Peruman, when wishing to regain his lost eye sight, in his typical taunt like request style, he writes
காய்தான் வேண்டிற் கனிதான் அன்றோ கருதிக் கொண்டக்கால்
நாய்தான் போல நடுவே திரிந்தும் உமக்காட் பட்டோர்க்கு
வாய்தான் திறவீர் திருவா ரூரீர் வாழ்ந்து போதீரே
the first line says - It pains when we have to part ways with even a ghost whom we have befriended and lived a while.
PS: These 4 lines mean - It gives great suffering when we have to part ways with even a ghost with whom we have befriended and lived a while but you had given me a ripened fruit when I wished for just an unripened one. Now, I am running around in your audience like a dog being your slave, but you are still not even opening your mouth (showing me mercy) well then! May you live long! Be happy! Ignoring me like this!
PPS: This is the 9th poem in the tenet starting Meela adimai written on Lord Shiva of Thiruvarur! He writes this when he has already gained sight in one eye but still blind on the other.
PPS: The interesting story behind these padhigams is for another post, another day! :-) :-)
