What is the chief expected to do to acquire wealth in order to give some to the bards?
According to the Tamil Sangam literature (Puranaruru), the chief is expected to acquire wealth through conquest or warfare. When bards approach him showing their hunger, the chief goes to the blacksmith to get a spear made for war.
This reflects the social values of ancient Tamilakam where generous men were respected. The chief, though not wealthy enough to give everyday, is willing to go to war to acquire resources to share with the bards. This shows that those who controlled resources were expected to share them rather than accumulate wealth for themselves.
Explanation
The question asks about how the chief acquires wealth to give to bards. The textbook context from the Puranaruru poem clearly shows that when bards approach the chief with hunger, he goes to the blacksmith to get a spear made for war. This indicates that the chief acquires wealth through warfare/conquest. Additionally, the context mentions that according to Manusmriti, one of the seven means for men to acquire wealth is 'conquest'. The social values of ancient Tamilakam emphasized that those who controlled resources were expected to share them, and generous chiefs were respected while those who accumulated wealth for themselves were despised.