Elāti

Elathi is a Tamil poetic work of didactic nature belonging to the "Pathinenkilkanakku" anthology of Tamil literature. This belongs to the 'post Sangam period' corresponding to between 100 – 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), "ilavankap 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 maxims to illustrate correct behaviour.

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
நின்றநிலை, கல்வி, வள்ளன்மை - என்றும்
அளிவந்தார் பூங்குழலாய் ஆறும் மறையின்
வழிவந்தார் கண்ணே வனப்பு

References

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