In this article, we examine the poem “Ninnai Saranadainthen“, penned by Subramania Bharati. Classed as “Kannan Pattu”, this poem elucidates how a man gradually surrenders his heart.
“நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee!” the man begins to confide.
This verse does disclose an exuberant man’s extreme love for a lady, whom he names Kannamma. It is still uncertain whom he refers to by this term of endearment. Some scholars surmise that this may mean his beloved spouse – Chellamma, whereas others infer that this character is for none but Lord Krishna. Whatever the poet’s idea, from the above stanza, we can learn that the man’s heart has been surrendered to his sweetheart.
“பொன்னை உயர்வைப் புகழை விரும்பிடும் என்னைக் கவலைகள் தின்னத் தகாதென்று நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee so that I, who hungered for opulence, influence and eminence, won’t be eaten up by anxieties!” the man asserts in this verse.
Once the man admits that he has surrendered his heart, one by one, he states reasons for that. In these lines, the man sadly explains his longing for wealth, power and fame. And because of these desires, he feels that he is more likely to be devoured by sorrows. As he doesn’t prefer this to happen, he has surrendered his heart to his beloved woman.
“மிடிமையும் அச்சமும் மேவியென் நெஞ்சில் குடிமை புகுந்தன, கொன்றவை போக்கென்று நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee so that you will slay and send away the distress and dread that took a seat in my heart and stayed behind therein!” conveys the man herein.
As we analyse in the last passage, the man has given his second reason in this stanza. He affirms that his adamant disquiet and fright aren’t ready to vacate his heart. To expatriate them from that fleshy flat, he expects to get someone’s support. So akin to a landlord phoning the police, this man in love calls his spouse, for he thinks that if he surrenders himself to his beloved, his heart will ever be surrounded by love.
“தன்செய லெண்ணித் தவிப்பது தீர்ந்திங்கு நின்செயல் செய்து நிறைவு பெறும்வண்ணம் நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee so that I will forestall fretting about what I did and feel fulfilled, performing your deed!” the man does confide.
In the above verse, the man unfolds a third reason for his action. He admits that he has been agonising about the things he did in the past. Therefore, he has surrendered his entire self to his beloved so that he can feel well pleased, fulfilling his divine lady’s deeds.
“துன்ப மினியில்லை. சோர்வில்லை, தோற்பில்லை, அன்பு நெறியில் அறங்கள் வளர்ந்திட நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee to execute virtues in means of love! No more sorrow, no sloth and no non-success!” the man exclaims.
Akin to what we had seen in the forenamed set of lines, the man has furnished yet another rationale even in this one. He says that he has surrendered himself to his beloved as he prefers to perform virtues in the path of love. And he tells us that he will no longer feel distressed, exhausted and defeated.
“நல்லதுதீயது நாமறியோம் அன்னை நல்லது நாட்டுக! தீமையை ஓட்டுக! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன் – கண்ணம்மா! நின்னைச் சரணடைந்தேன்!”
“I did surrender unto thee! O Kannamma, I did surrender unto thee! I am unaware of good and bad deeds. O mother, uphold virtues! Withhold vices!” the man says in this last verse.
The beloved man has yet again expressed his voice of reason in these above lines. He says that he doesn’t know what is ethical and unethical. Therefore, he pleads to his beloved to uphold his morals and withhold his evils. And he calls her mother, as he has altogether surrendered himself to her.
It is time to end this essay! But even so, we are unsure whether the poet has worshipped his beloved or God. Anyhow, he leaves us a lesson that if we surrender ourselves to one thing – be it a deity or dream, we will be freed from all the dolorous thoughts.
