“The Sacred Pāṇṭi” is a very dramatic poem, states Pope. It is also remarkable and the rhythm of its metre supersedes all other Tamil verses.

The forty first hymn called “The Miracle Decad” is in Pope’s opinion, the first to be sung by Māṇikkavācakar.

An example of Pope’s meritorious translation is seen in the apt words he chooses for “āḷi”, the circling sea and for “vāḷvu” the joyous life.¹⁶⁹ For “tūmoḷiyār”, he translates the “tū” beautifully as “gentle.”¹⁷⁰ His ability is visible to advantage when he translates the same word correctly in reference to the context in which it appears. For instance “kuvi”, it is translated as swelling¹⁷¹ and in another as rounded.¹⁷² Pope acknowledge that certain words and lines are untranslatable.¹⁷³

In one instance, “Umaiyāḷ kaṇavā” has been translated as “O Light of Umai’s eyes.” A wider significance is perhaps embroidered in the English translation. Probably, Pope thought that the husband was as dear as one’s eyes and hence “light of Umai’s eyes.” If this is, what Pope meant then his translation beyond all doubt is unique.¹⁷⁴

“Puḷiyam paḷamottiruntēṉ” has been translated as “Sore Grief.”¹⁷⁵ One wonders what the tamarind fruit has to do with “Sore Grief”!

Towards the close of the work, Pope gives a chapter on “Lexicon and concordance.” This is novel feature wich is present in almost all of Pope’s works. In this he gives for words, their roots, origins and development and

169. Ibid. P. 309

170. Ibid. P. 304

171. Ibid. P. 302

172. Ibid. P. 306

173. Ibid. Pp. 257-296

174. Ibid. P. 273

175. Ibid. P. 236