imported>Martinthewriter at 12:53, 16 August 2021

2021-08-16T12:53:53Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{short description|Tamil poetic work}}
{{Sangam literature}}

'''Elathi''' is a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] poetic work of [[didactic]] nature belonging to the [[Eighteen Lesser Texts]] (''Pathinenkilkanakku'') anthology of [[Tamil literature]]. This belongs to the 'post [[Sangam period]]' corresponding to between 100 and 500 CE. ''Elathi'' contains 80 poems written by the poet Kani Methaviyar. The poems of ''Elathi'' are written in the [[Venpa]] meter.

''Elathi'' uses the analogy of the traditional herbal medicine known as ''elathi'' which uses six herbs such as ''elam'' ([[cardamom]]), ''ilavanka pattai'' ([[cinnamon]]), ''naagakesaram'' (made from the [[stamens]] of the [[Ceylon ironwood]]), ''milagu'' ([[black pepper]]), ''thippili'' ([[long pepper]]), and ''sukku'' (dried [[ginger]]). ''Elathi'' similarly uses six different [[Saying|maxims]] to illustrate correct behaviour. It tells about six values of every aspects of life in every poems in four lines.

The following poem lists the six things, namely, fame, wealth, integrity, courage, education and philanthropy that add beauty to those who follow the scriptures.

சென்றபுகழ், செல்வம், மீக்கூற்றம், சேவகம்<br />
நின்றநிலை, கல்வி, வள்ளன்மை - என்றும்<br />
அளிவந்தார் பூங்குழலாய் ஆறும் மறையின்<br />
வழிவந்தார் கண்ணே வனப்பு

==References==
* Mudaliyar, Singaravelu A., Apithana Cintamani, An encyclopaedia of Tamil Literature, (1931) - Reprinted by Asian Educational Services, New Delhi (1983)
* http://tamilnation.org/literature/
* http://tamilnation.org/literature/pathinen/pm0029.pdf ''Elathi'' eText at [[Project madurai]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elati}}
{{Tamil language}}
[[Category:Sangam literature]]

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Elāti - Revision history

imported>Martinthewriter at 12:53, 16 August 2021