Naladiyar
Naladiyar
Naladiyar
ஆகில ெமாழிெபய
ேபா ம எ
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நாலயா
ஆகில ெமாழிெபய - ேபா ம எ
Naladiyar verses with English Translation
Source:
Naladiyar
Tinnevelly, Madras- 1
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CONTENTS
Forward
Introduction
Index to Chapters
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FOREWORD
Of the great ancient works of Tamilnad known for their moral profundity and weighty
comments on life and thought, Tirukkural and Naladiyar stand foremost. The
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and the quatrains of Naladiyar are the best of ethical sayings) glorifies their value in a
single sentence. Great ethical and philosophical utterances have been rendered in
poetic form in Naladiyar. The poetic value of the stanzas cannot be underestimated
although it is true that their moral value pre-eminently appeals to the readers. W. H.
Hudson observes: “there is no reason why poetry should not be the outcome of
philosophy and the vehicle of philosophic truth without sacrificing anything of its
essential poetic qualities and graces.” Naladiyar belongs to that category of poetry
which celebrates philosophic truth without sacrificing itsessential poetic charm. The
writers of these stanzas were poets who also wished to be great teachers and
moralists.
The authorship of this work is ascribed to a group of Jain ascetics who lived in the
third or fourth century A.D. Its compilation has a tale to tell. In a critical situation of
famine in the Pandiya Country, a group of eight thousand Jain ascetics left their
place each leaving a stanza behind him. Of them four hundred are said to have been
selected and compiled. The stanzas themselves testify to the fact that this is not the
work of a single author, but of many belonging to the same school and age. That is
why we find repetition of ideas as in stanzas 207 and 210 and similarity of expression
as in stanzas 230 and 238. That this work is later than Tirukkural is evident from the
classification and arrangement of chapters on the model of the latter, the whole work
consisting of three parts and each chapter containing ten stanzas. But this
classification is not so apt and so complete as in Tirukkural, as may be seen from the
loose connection of the following stanzas to the chapters in which they are placed :-
58 6
78 to 80 8
102 11
4
111 to 120 12
181 to 183 19
The words and ideas expressed in stanza No.305 are not different from those of the
This is a Jain work laying great stress on renunciation. The ascetic note is struck in
almost all the chapters except those on High birth (15), The Support of kindred (21),
Scrutiny in forming friendships (22), Bearing and forbearing in friendship (23), Unreal
friend ship (24) and Chaste matronhood (247). Yet, like Tirukkural, it appeals to the
learned of all religions and sects by virtue of the eternal truths it explains and the
certain ideas in four lines with appropriate emotional fervour as in stanzas 36, 40 and
The whole struggle of the human race from barbarism to civilisation is one
continuous effort to maintain and extend its moral dignity. The learned among the
ancient Tamils had perceived this clearly and laid due emphasis in their teachings on
the moral and ethical aspects of human life. The Tamils are fortunate enough in
having preserved these noble teachings in their ancient language and, as Dr. G. U.
Pope has remarked, “Tirukkural and Naladiyar throw a flood of light upon the whole
ethical and social philosophy of the Tamil people.” Dr. Pope's characteristic
enthusiasm, sincerity and passionate search for truth enabled him to realise the
value of these works and introduce them to the Westerners through his translations.
He carried out his project very successfully. The grammatical notes, the metrical
introduction and the lexicon and concordance appended to his translation are
scholarly and instructive. His translation has an inspiring quality and is nowhere a
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travesty of the original. We are greatly indebted to him for his valuable services to the
The South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society deserves our
congratulations and thanks for having published this useful translation of Naladiyarby
a renowned scholar and ardent lover of Tamil. F. W. Ellis' translation of some of the
stanzas given at the end of the book adds to the value of this publication.
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INTRODUCTION
THIS edition of a popular Tamil Classic was undertaken mainly with the view of
to be taken up after the study of the Second Catechism of Tamil Grammar; and is a
companion volume to the Kurral: these two great works serving as mutual
commentaries, and together throwing a flood of light upon the whole ethical and
I am not without a hope and belief that such editions of their great classics may find
favour with some at least of the great multitude of young Tamil men who pursue with
enthusiasm and fair success their English studies, but are, I apprehend, in some
To avoid repetition, the student is referred to the introduction to the Kurral for
information on many matters connected with Tamil, and important to those who
This work is recommended to the student of Tamil for several weighty reasons.
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These are not so much the originality of its teaching, as the peculiar terseness and
vigour of its style ; and the fidelity with which it reflects the thoughts and ideas of the
great mass of the Tamil people, and indeed of the yeomanry of India ; for, though
composed most probably by Jains, it contains scarcely any traces of their peculiar
tenets. For these the student must read the Jivaga Chintamani, and this is no
Ve. Caminathaiyar.
Not only is it one of the text-books prescribed for the Oriental Honour School of this
and is taught, in some shape, in every vernacular school in the Tamil country.
edition, in the hope of bringing at least a few European minds into closer contact with
those of our Tamil fellow-subjects; and of inducing young Tamil students to bring the
freer and more invigorating, though more laborious methods of European study to
A recent Tamil editor of the Naladi begins his preface with these words, "The
Naladiyar is one of the moral text-books emanating from the (Madura) Academy,
He also gives, with slight variations, the current tradition regarding the 400 quatrains.
It is briefly this : ‘Once on a time, 8000 Jain ascetics, driven by famine, came to a
Pandiyan king and were supported by him. When the famine was over they prepared
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to return to their own country, though the king wished to retain the learned strangers
who added lustre to his court. At last the poets were driven to depart secretly by
night. In the morning it was found that each bard had left on his seat a quatrain.
These were examined and found to differ widely from one another. The king then
ordered them all to be thrown into the river Vaigai, when it was found that the palm-
leaf scrolls containing these 400 quatrains ascended the river against the current,
and came to the bank. To these the king gave the name of Naladiyar (the
quatrainists).' Some other verses reached the banks at various spots, and are found
in two collections, called 'Old sayings' (பழெமாழி) and ‘The Essence of the way of
virtue' (அறெநறிசார). These atter works have never obtained the popularity
enjoyed by the Naladiyar; and I should regard them as mainly imitations due to a
later period, though some of the verses are certainly more or less ancient.
These traditions point to a collection of popular verses made after the impalement of
the Samanar (or Amanar - Jains, lit, 'naked ones'), perhaps in the time of Sundara
These verses, mainly but not, I think, exclusively of Jain origin, were doubtless
expurgated by the Caivas, under whose chief guardianship Tamil literature has since
remained.
They were re-edited, interpreted, arranged, and forced into a kind of parallelism to
the Kurral by Pathumanar (‘a lotus'), of whom nothing is really known. I have printed
an elegant invocation ascribed to him. No other editor has done much for the
quatrains.
The fact that to them exclusively the title of Naladi (or quatrain) was given seems to
render it probable that they constitute some of the earliest specimens of this elegant
philosophy, religion, or morals can be deduced from them; and it may be said with
truth that these utterances have too little sequence and connexion to admit of any
scientific criticism. Yet it is a kind of merit to put a happy point upon it commonplace;
and these epigrams, drawn sometimes from Sanskrit sources and oftener forming the
I am unwilling to enter here on any discussion of the date of this and other Tamil
classics, since there are scarcely any ascertained facts or ancient inscriptions from
which to reason. The discussion of these matters requires aptitude, leisure, and
critical acquaintance with Tamil literature. The want of this last essential has
between A. D. 800 and 1200 the greatest of these works were composed. Internal
Hiouen-Thsang, the Buddhist pilgrim who visited the continent of India in 640 A. D.,
says that in Malakuta the people were not much addicted to the cultivation of
literature, and only valued the pursuit of wealth; and mentions Jains as the most
Malayalam, and seems to have included the whole Southern part of the Madras
The Jains were great students and copyists of books (Burnell, S. I. Palaeography, p.
88). We may feel quite sure that the seventh century A. D., at the latest, saw the
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beginning of Tamil literature under Jain auspices. Perhaps the Jains fostered the
who generally address themselves to the intelligent middle classes, have often been
the most assiduous students and promoters of the vulgar tongues. Quatrain 243 of
the Naladishows the feeling of hostility that existed between North and South :
between Hindus and Jains. The great antiquity of Tamil, which is the one worthy rival
The ancient grammatical works existing in Tamil, and its wonderful metrical system,
prove its assiduous cultivation for long ages. An elaborate, scientific series of metres,
such as Tamil glories in, adapted to every style and theme of composition, is the
growth of centuries. Classical Tamil bears every mark of slow and natural evolution;
but the subject is complicated by the number of works in circulation falsely attributed
to old writers. The many really ridiculous forgeries of this kind bring discredit on all
Tamil literature. Tamil scholars should banish, among other things, such spurious
There is no mention of God in the Naladi (save in the quite modern invocation) and
no trace of religion. In this respect the quatrains differ from the Kurral. There are
indeed a few poetical references to certain deities, and allusions to popular beliefs
and rites, but the bards evidently were not orthodox Hindus.
The misery of embodiment (பிறவி) in successive and infinitely varied forms, and the
bliss of release (தி) from all of these, are often expressed and illustrated with
every kind of figure. It is assumed that always, to all, conscious existence on earth,
ourselves in antagonism.
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and generally a loftiness of aim that are very impressive. I have felt sometimes as if
there must be a blessing in store for a people that delight so utterly in compositions
thus remarkably expressive of a hunger and thirst after righteousness. They are the
foremost among the peoples of India, and the Kurral and Naladi have helped to make
them so.
It is in vain to discuss elaborately the origin and possible sources of the work. The
majority of the verses were almost certainly sung by Jain ascetics, yet there are a
few that seem to be from the Maha bharata, and undoubtedly many of the quartrains
are fragments of the old ethical teaching which goes under the name of Niti-Castra.
The history of south India permits us to expect to trace not only Buddhist, or Jain, but
also Greek, Chiristian, and even Muhammadan influences in the early Tamil classics,
quatrain as an artistic whole kind of cameo--we find that there are several distinct
and clearly marked types. Some of these may be conveniently arranged in classes.
Here the student must first master the third and fourth lines, in which is enunciated
the truth, precept, or principle, of which the former part of the quatrain gives the proof
or illustration. This is a prevailing type also in the Kurral. A Venba verse, like a
This is seen in the first quatrain, where the aphorism is, 'worldly prosperity is a thing
of no account’.
This axiom is illustrated by a matter of daily experience. The connective is எனி = 'if
2. One class of the didactic quatrain depends for its effectiveness chiefly on some apt
and ingenious simile, illustration, or analogy. To us some of these seem forced and
fanciful conceits, but we really are not always in a position to judge or rightly estimate
them.
In 290 the aptness of the figure, the beauty of the expression, the wonderful
terseness of the conclusion, together with the perfection of the form and rhythm,
3. In some of these the simile is simply thrown in, while the most prominent thing is
the clear enunciation of a truth. Here the whole runs on like rhetorical prose.
Thus in 65 we find three statements, with a thread of connexion : 'It is the difficulty of
5. Others are enumerative, where the various parts and accessories of some idea
6. A few are antithetic, suggesting a contrast with or without a simile; as, 48, 51, 52,
89.
If I am not deceived there is in many of these verses something far beyond mere
technical skill. At times by a few happy touches an idea is expressed in such apt
words, each chosen with truest and most accurate discrimination, that the quatrain
becomes a group of life-like pictures, on which the mind is fain to linger long, and to
not a syllable could be spared; while almost every word is common and easy, yet is
the very fittest and is used in its exact meaning. It is somewhat archaic ;— has a
fascinating air of mystery;—pleasantly exercises and amply rewards the student's
ingenuity ;— seems dark at first, but once lit up, sparkles for ever.
Then comes the simple antithesis, ‘the learners days are few’. In Tamil the use of the
same root twice (in க வி and க!பவ#) and again in the third line (க!பேவ) imparts
an added charm.
Into these perfectly (to Tamil ears) harmonious lines is compressed a whole chapter:
‘The subjects of study (க வி with a plural verb) are infinitely numerous ; but the
learners' days are few : and if it be calmly thought out, men are liable to many
diseases. [பிணி = natural infirmities or “bonds," that enfeeble and restrict.] Youthful
enthusiasm may lead men to anticipate great and varied triumphs ; calm reflection
teaches them their natural weakness. So, men. should learn with discrimination
(ெத$ளி2), examining closely (ஆரா)) things befitting (அைம, “suit, satisfy, gladden')
them, with intelligence (ெதாி*2) like that of the bird (the semi-divine Hansa), that
13
drinks only the milk and leaves the water, when these mingled are presented to it. Of
I have gratefully to acknowledge the liberal assistance of the Secretary of State for
India in Council as formerly in the case of the Kurral. The Delegates of the Clarendon
Press procured type especially for the book, and made the arrangements by which
this Tamil classic is issued with a typograpical accuracy hardly ever attained in a
His Highness the Maharaja of Travancore has also subscribed liberally to the work.
To the skill, patience, and unwearied zeal of Mr. Pembrey, Oriental reader at the
It will be seen that the editor and translator has sought carefully and patiently to
interpret his authors, and has avoided all controversy. His aim in this work has been
another and love one another, if we are to be of any mutual benefit. He who knows
and loves 'sweet' Tamil may come to know and love those to whom it is so dear, and
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உைற - INDEX
அதிகார
கட+$ வா32 : Invocation
5. 6)தைம : Impurity
6. 2ற+ : Renunciation
8. ெபாைற5ைடைம : Patience
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கட' வா)"#
(ேநாிைச ெவபா)
வாஒ வி 4 வரவறியா வா)ைமயா
கா நில ேதாயா கட+ைள - யாநில
ெசனி 5றவணகி ேச# 2எ உ$ள2
னி யைவ7க எ.
INVOCATION
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Those who ate erewhile, course after course, food of six flavours, supplied by their
complaisant spouse, now roam as paupers and beg a mess of pottage here and
2. ெசவ நிைலயா#.
நிைலயா#. ப"#10 வா)க.
வா)க.
2க$தீ# ெப19ெச வ ேதாறிய கா ெதா;0
பக நட*த<3 ப லாேரா க
அகற யா#மா; நி லா2 ெச வ
சகட கா ேபால வ1.
Wealth abides not, share it and enjoy
When you own ample wealth acquired by blameless means, with many sharing eat
the grain that steers have trodden out! In centre poised prosperity stands with no
Those who rode resplendent forth on the neck of an elephant, beneath the state
umbrella's shade, as the leaders of the host, when 'other deeds' destroy, shallchange
4. ெபா$க ெதாைலகி-றன.
ெதாைலகி-றன. சா' வ$கி-ற#.
வ$கி-ற#.
நிறன நிறன நி லா எனஉண#*
ெதாறின ஒறின வ ேல ெசயிெச)க
ெசறன ெசறன வா3நா$ ெச2ட
வ*த2 வ*த2 <!.
Do your duty, knowing the instability of all things.Time flies! Death comes!
The things of which you said, ‘they stand, they stand,' stand not; mark this, and
perform what befits, yea! what befits, with all your power! Your days are gone, are
5. 5-ேன அற6ெச4க.
அற6ெச4க. பி-ேன சா' வ$கி-ற#.
வ$கி-ற#.
18
When you have gained and hold in hand any single thing, retain it not with the
thought, ‘This will serve some other day!’ Those who have given betimes shall
escape the desert road along which death, an unyielding foe, drags his captives
away.
6. இற"த தி1ண.
தி1ண. அற"ைத ாிக.
ாிக.
இைழதநா$ எ ைல இகவா பிைழெதாாீஇ
<!ற தி2வ*தா# ஈகி ைல — ஆ!ற0
ெப1ெபா1$ ைவதீ# வழ மி நாைள
தழீஇதழீஇ தண ப.
Death inevitable. Hoard not !
Man's days pass not their assigned bound. None here on earth have ever escaped
death's power, made off and got free. O hoarder of ample wealth, dispense it! On the
Death every day takes that fount of light the sun as a measure, metes out your days,
and so devours.Do deeds of virtue full of kindly grace. Though all are born, none are
The ample wealth of men of mean understanding, who say, ' We're rich,' yet ponder
not their path and end, appears, and perishes, and leaves no trace; like the flash,
He eats not, sheds no light of splendour around, performs no deeds that merit lofty
praise, soothes no sorrow that choice friends feel, spends nought, but hoards his
Those who stint in clothes and food, and mortify their bodies, yet do not deeds of
deathless virtue, and bestow nothing, hoarding shall suffer loss:— Lord of the cloud-
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"Grey eld will come,’—the wise remembering this renounce the world even in tender
age; but they who joy in youth, unstable, never free from fault, shall erewhile painfully
Served are the ties of friendship; minished are the pleasant ones; love's bonds are
loosened too; then look within and say, what profit is there in this joyous life of thine ?
Speech falters, they lean on a staff, and walk tottering, their teeth fall out; yet, till the
vessel (the body) is scorned by all, they linger in the house, still indulging fond
To men that cherish weak desire for her that's doomed to droop and fail, supporting
her palsied limbs with a staff, and then to fall and pass away, what anguish comes,
when she grasps in her hands the staff her mother held!
My mother bare me, left me here, and went to seek her mother, who in the selfsame
manner has gone in search; and thus in ceaseless round goes on the mother-quest.
The lamb in the ruddy slaughter-house will crop the fragrant shoots that dangle from
the garland in the slayer's hand; such transient gladness of the thoughtless, youthful
17.
17. ப<"த பழ ம%0 உதிரா#.
உதிரா#. இளைமயி@ மனித இறப.
இறப.
பனிப ேசாைல0 பயமர ெம லா
கனிஉதி#*2 B3*த! றிளைம — நனிெபாி2
ேவ!கண$ எறிவைள ெவஃகமி ம!றிவE
ேகா!கண ளா னி*2.
Fruit only ripens to fall. Youth leads to decay.
The sweet fruit from every tree that bears in the dewy grove must fall to earth. Thus
youth decays. Desire not her whose eyes gleam bright as darts. Full soon she too will
’How old are you ?' 'How last your teeth ?' and, ‘Do you eat two courses yet?' men
ask with kindly courtesy. By such close questions urged, the wise will learn to judge
Say not, 'in after time we'll learn virtue, we're young;' but while wealth is yours
conceal it not; do virtuous deeds. When evil tempests rage, not the ripe fruit alone,
but the unripe fruit's fair promise also falls.
Relentless death is roaming round, and eyes his man! 'Tis true. Take up your wallet,
scape betimes. He bears away the new-born babe, while the mother sorely laments.
--------
Even kings that rode on elephants beneath the state umbrella's shade, like the moon
appearing over some bill, have had their names proclaimed on earth as dead ;— not
As the measure of your days the shining orb each day unfailing rises; so before your
joyous days have passed away, perform ye 'fitting deeds of grace'; for none abide on
earth.
24
The marriage drums that sounded out in the festive hall, there and that very day have
served for him as funeral drums! Men of lofty minds will note that thus it haps, and
They march and then strike once! A little while they wait, then strike the drum a
second time. Behold, how fine! The third stroke sounds. They veil it, take the fire, and
To him, who, although he sees them bear the corpse to the burning ground, while
friends in troops loudly lament, boldly asserts that wedded life is bliss on earth, the
funeral drum speaks out, and mocks his vain utterance.
When the 'soul', that, taking its stand in this skin clad frame, has fully wrought its
works, and partaken of life's experiences, has gone forth, what matters it whether you
attach ropes to the body and drag it away, or carefully bury it, or throw it aside in any
'Like a bubble, that in pelting rain appears full oft, and disappears, is this our frame.'
So sages have judged, steadfast in wisdom, and have decided to end this dubious
take the gain the body they have gained is intended to yield. Like a cloud that
wanders over the hills, the body here appears, and abiding not, departs leaving no
trace behind.
26
Considering that all things are transient as the dew-drop on the tip of a blade of
grass, now, now at once, do virtuous deeds! "Even now he stood, he sat, he fell—
while his kindred cried aloud he died :' such is man's history!
Unasked men come, appear in the home as kinsmen, and then silently go. As the
bird silently deserts the tree where its nest yet remains, and goes far off, so these
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4. அற-வ ?"த / Ch. 4. The Might of Virtue
‘Yet those within are blest,' so saying, they look up, but obtain no entrance: their
place is at the outer gate. There will they suffer much, who thro' lack of former
27
penitence do no penance now. [In a former state penance won for them a human
Say not, O silly soul, we will live desiring wealth and die forgetting virtue! We'll say
that ceaselessly toiling thou shalt live long; but tell me, what wilt thou do when all thy
happy days are over?
When the ‘fruit of deeds' is come, the fool sighs heavily, and all his soul dies out; but
those who reflect and say, ,'Tis old desert,' will pass beyond the bound of life's
perplexity, and escape (by devoting themselves to virtue).
As the gain from the mortal frame now reached —and which is so hard to reach —
with all thy might lay hold of virtue's lasting good. As the juice expressed from the
sugar-cane 'twill afterwards be thine aid, when the body goes like refuse flung away.
Those who have pressed the sugar-cane, and early taken the juice, when the refuse
heaped up burns, will suffer no grief: those who have toiled and gained the fruit won
from embodied existence will feel no pangs when death shall come.
‘This day ?’ That day? What day? O question not the time! Bethink you death stands
behind you ever waiting! Put from you every evil thing; and with all your powers
embrace the virtue which sages teach.
When you examine closely the mighty gains to be acquired by birth in a human
shape, if they seem manifold, perform not deeds which suit the body's frame alone,
The banyan seed, though it be minute as one might see in dreams, grows to a mighty
tree of amplest shade; so gifts from a virtuous hand, received by a worthy hand,
Daily they see the passing day added to the sum of the days gone by, as a day that
is spent from out the store of their days, yet daily, as they see day dawn, they say
joyously, 'This day will abide with us till the close of day?’
Parting with honour's jewel I might still consent to live a suppliant's life of shame, if
when maintained by such disgrace, this body could abide in strength and last for
length of days.
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5. D4த-ைம / Ch. 5. Impurity
‘O gentle maiden, fair and good !' These paragons that thus rave, know they not 'the
heavenly home invisible?’ Let a bit of skin be broken slight as an insect's wing, and
beauty only to that outward cloak that veils the false (the inner foulness), then is it
fitting to say no word of lustful desire which hides the false from itself by the covering
Will impurity ever cease from the worthless body which the great have abandoned,
knowing it to be reeking with odours from processes connected with nutrition, though
aromatics be chewed, the head covered with garlands, and the body adornedwith
false splendour?
Shall I abandon (my ascetic purpose) because blind, low men worry me, saying (that
woman's eye is like) the water-lily in the clear stream, or the warring carp, or a
javelin? I will pursue my virtuous way as having seen (that) the eye's real nature (is),
like (that of) the palm-tree fruit (which is) scooped out, after the water has been
drained off!
Though worthless men untaught should fret my soul and rave of teeth like jasmine
buds and pearls, shall I forego my fixed resolve, who have seen in the burning
ground those bones—the fallen teeth —strewn round for all to see ?
32
(The body) is entrails, and marrow, and blood, and bone, and connecting tendons,
and skin, and here and there flesh interposed, and fat. In the midst of these, what
The fool will address the earthen pot (the body), from which defilement oozes, which
from nine disgusting outlets scatters pollution, and in which slimy liquids move to and
fro—and say, 'O thou of the rounded arms,' ‘O thou with armlets decked, ‘—because
They know not what the body is; with sandal paste and flowers they make it fine.
Have they not seen, I pray, the vultures and their mates in flocks with busy beaks
The skulls of the dead, at the sight of which the gazer fears, with deep cavernous
eyes appear, and grinning say to those who still survive, 'Guard well! In virtue's path
The skulls of the dead, grinning so as to excite disgust, cure the vain lovers of life of
their folly. Those who are cured of this folly, seeing (the skulls in the burning ground),
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As when a lamp enters darkness dies, so sin stands not before man's penitence. As,
when in a lamp the oil wastes, darkness rushes in, so evil takes its stand where
The chief of men reflect on change, disease, old age, and death, and do their needful
work. Those who raving teach the endless round of sevenfold science, and the lore
The chief of men in quite thought discern how house, and youth, and beauty's grace,
and high estate, and wealth, and strength, all pass away; and thus, to save
themselves, prolonging not the time, renounce all these.
Though wretched men suffer afflictions many a day, yet one day's delight they
eagerly desire. The men of calm and full wisdom, in pleasure's core see pain, and
In vain is my youth spent. Even now disease and old age will come. O soul ! be bold;
wrangle no more with me, but rise! Wilt thou not go where both thou and I may gain
virtue's path?
Though your wife possess no excellence and bear no child, it is hard to get rid of the
marriage bond. For this cause since he who weds puts sorrow on, in olden days the
learned made marriage a synonym of dread.
When troubles arise, hard to resist, to cause them to break the vows which their lofty
spirits have pledged, the men of power set griefs aside and firmly fix their souls in
To bear with those that speak contemptuous words; yea, more, to say, 'Ah, will these
sink in the other world to hell, the place of fire, as fruit of their contemptuous words;'
He who undisturbed, in the ordered way of right, has power to guard and guide the
desires and lusts that find entrance by the five sense-gates, called 'body, mouth, eye,
nose, and ear' - unfailing shall gain 'release.'
Though wretched men behold afflictions urge and press, renunciation is not in their
thoughts; delight they eagerly desire. The great in every joy behold its pain, and seek
it not.
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7. சினமி-ைம / Ch. 7. The Absence of Anger : Meekness
Who pass esteeming us, let them pass on! And those who contemn and trample on
us as they pass, let them too pass on! If even a fly (especially unclean) should climb,
trampling on their head, it is well that the wise who know its worth, should feel no
wrath.
Although disgraces throng thickly, and may not be repulsed, will those whose minds
are set upon finishing the work begun, renounce sweet life's unfailing worth in their
If a man open his mouth and speak unguarded words, his words will ceaselessly
burn his soul. The wise who ceaselessly hear, and ponder well and calmly, even in
When men who are beneath them confront them, and speak unseemly words, the
excellent wax not hot with anger. The base man will brood over it, chafe and rave for
all the town to hear, and leap, and dash his head against a post.
excellent.
The young man's self-restraint is self-restraint. The gift of him who owns no stores of
wealth is gift indeed. When wan has means and might to punish every fault, if he
As stones the base shower down their bitter words: the noble bear, in sight of all, and
let them pass, by sense of noble worth constrained : like serpent's crest at once by
When men stand forth as our enemies, and would begin the conflict, to decline the
strife is not, in the language of the wise, lack of power. Even when men have
confronted and done us intolerable evils, it is good not to do them evil in return.
time though base men's wrath run on, it spreads abroad, and knows no time when
heat is spent; as the heat of water, when boiled at cooking time, itself grow's cool, the
வாேதா) 70பிற*தா# கி .
It is not the way of the noble to do evil to those who injure them.
Though men think not of good received, and do much ill to men of family whose fame
has touched the sky, these still do good; nor are they wont provoked by faults, to
Though a dog, in range, should lay hold of them, there are none in the world who, in
return, would lay hold of it with their mouth; and thus, when low men speak, not what
is fitting, but low words, will high-minded men, in reply, utter such words with their
mouth.
----------
Lord of the pleasant land, where down the cool mountains the streams fall as
garlands!— With a fool hold no converse. If you speak with him, in replying he will
pervert your words. To slip away from him as best you can is well.
When persons not our equals say unfitting things, to bear and to be still is worthy
conduct. The world girt by foaming waters regards not a contrary course as praise-
worthy, but as discreditable.
Lord of the swelling sea's cool shore, where bright insects hum around every
flower!—Are severe words from loving lips harder to bear, if men can only rightly
estimate their result, than pleasant words that strangers courteously speak?
Those who know what should be known and rule themselves thereby; who fear what
should be feared ; who use all their faculties to bless the world; and whose nature
rejoices in all good gained: are for ever free from woes.
When two with strict accord unite in friendship's bond, if one betray the other's
confidence by unkind act, this latter should endure as best he may. And if he can't
things that are unpleasant, think them pleasant. bid yourself cease (from wrath), and
blame yourself alone; but forsake not those that have been joined to you in the
intimacy of friendship.
Is not the reason why the close friendship of the great is sought, that they will bear
even with faults hard to endure? Lord of the good land of high mountains, with
Though sore wasted with hunger, let not men tell out their destitution to ungracious
churls. Those indeed who lack resolution to deny themselves may tell their wants to
those who are able and willing to save them from destitution.
Although shameful things may present themselves. as things that yield pleasure, flee
from that pleasure's side! Though thou couldst see pleasures that cease not soon, —
80. ெபா4?ைர,
ெபா4?ைர, பிற99 ேக0 ெச4த,
ெச4த, தகவிலா இட"# உ1ண ெச4ய"
தகாதன.
தகாதன.
தாெக7C த கா#ேக ெடண!க தஉடபி
ஊெக7C உணா#ைக 2ண!க — வாகவி*த
ைவயக எ லா ெபறிC உைரய!க
ெபா)ேயா 7ைடமிைட*த ெசா .
Never desire evil, nor eat with improper persons, nor lie.
Though ruin seize you plan not ruin to the just! Though body's flesh should waste, eat
not from hands unfit! Though the whole earth o'er-arched by heaven accrue as gain,
The fear it brings is great ; its pleasure is brief ; each day if it is divulged death
threatens by the king's decree; and ever it is a deed that tends to the pains of hell; O
Virtue, praise, friendship, greatness, all these four draw not anigh the men who covet
their neighbour's wife. Hatred, disgrace and guilt, with fear, these four possessions
guarding the secret is fear; it evermore brings fear: why shuns he not with dread the
If any one see, disgrace lights on the house; if any hand should seize, leg's maimed;
in the doing of the shameful deed is dread; it yields as fruit vast hell's affliction : tell
Those who, in a former state, without any regard to right, becoming associates of the
mean, enjoyed the embraces of beautiful women, and by violence approached their
neighbour's wife, in this state will become eunuchs, and dancing shall earn their
bread.
While his loving wife dwells in his home, the tender one whom he espoused, —
seeking (out an auspicious) day, and sounding the drum, for many folks to know,—
and 'whom he guards as his own, what means a man's glance at another's wife?
46
The enjoyment of the man of unstable heart, who under the influence of infatuation
approaches his neighbour's wife and sets his affections upon her, while neighbours
spread abroad his guilt, and kinsmen dread and mourn, is like (that of the person
The disease of lust in men mighty (in wisdom) gains not ascendancy, is not revealed,
O! it is a cruel conflict; but fearing to incur shame in the midst of their foes, they say
nothing about it, and it is extinguished within them.
Arrow and fire and sun with glistening rays may rage and burn; but these burn the
outer man alone. Lust rages and distracts and burns the mind, and is more to be
From the ruddy fire that fiercely rises in the village you may scape by bathing in
water. — Although you bathe in water, lust will burn; and though you climb the hill
-----------
times, with large rejoicing heart to give is their nature still. To such good men
Before (you) are death's day and age detestable ; behind is disease that humbles
pride. Discursive thoughts indulge not. Cling not to earth. Eat, sharing food; hide not
Though dread of want they do not relieve the woes of men who as suppliants draw
near! Yet although men enjoy and give, wealth grows in growing time: cling to it, and
yet it flies when former deeds that brought wealth have lost their power.
Those who gave not in that world, men say on this earth girt by deep waters are
Do charity for the sake of this world and the future ; and beg not.
Regarding the other world and this world, give to any suppliant, in fitting way,
according to your ability. And if on account of poverty giving is not possible, yet
Those who live desired of many are as a fertile palm entered in the altar's enclosure
in midmost of the town. Those who, even when their house grows great, give not
before they eat, are like the sterile palm in the burning ground.
actions that ought to be done, —Lord of the warring sea's cool shore, where acrid
a man.—Lord of the swelling sea's cool shore !—A gift to those that can return the
gift is usury !
Say not ‘ 'tis passing little,' nor ‘ ' tis nought I give;' on all confer thy boon of virtuous
charity, Like the dish the mendicant presents from door to door, by frequent doles
The sound of beaten drum a katham off they'll hear; the thunder's voice through a
whole yojanai will reach men's ears; the three successive worlds will hear the word
------------
Although you send forth the tender calf amid many cows, it has unerring skill to seek
out its own mother. Deeds of old days have even so the power to search him out to
who, though he sees this, does no single virtuous act in this one stage of being, life's
man's enjoyments are meted out. Who made the Vilam's apple round? Or who gave
Not even saints can drive away predestined ills; and all the fated gain must needs
accrue. In time of drought who can bestow the rain ? Or who can check its rich
Those who lose like stately palms, when their greatness is gone, become small asthe
millet seed, hiding their glory within, —and so they pass their days. This is the fruit of
deeds of former days: when you think of it, what other cause can there be?
joyously live on. Would you know the cause ? — The unlearned posses within no
'sap of sapience'; — so death deems then refuse stalks, and takes them not!
Lord of the sea's cool shore, where amid the wave swans sport, tearing to shreds the
Adambu flowers ! When those whose hearts are sore with urgent need standbegging,
and wander through the long street, in sight of all, this is the fruit of former deeds.
They are not ignorant; but, though what man should know they know, yet they do
deeds that bring guilt to their souls. — Lord of the wide sea's pleasant shore, where
breezes breathe the lily's fragrance round ! — This comes from former deeds.
On the earth begirt by gathering waters no men desire in anywise evil things, but
choice fruit of good things. Yet whether they desire, or abhor, it is hard to shun the
touch of what fate assigns.
The early fates diminish not, nor do they increase, they come not in order
changedhelp in troublous times is none; what haps will happen, there and then; and
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12. ெம4ைம / Ch. 12. Truth: Reality
O maid with many armlets graced! To answer 'no' disgraces no man, when the boon
asked exceeds his means. It is the world's course. But to delay and cheat the soul
faint with desire is a sin like his who 'slays' a benefit conferred.
Men of worth, and men unworthy too, retain their natures ever unchanged. Whoever
they be that eat it, sugar can never grow bitter; and margosa is bitter even when
eaten by gods.
When a man moves prosperonsly on, devoted kinsfolk are countless as shining stars
that move in the upper heaven. But when grievous affliction haps,—Lord of the
Of the three things that endure upon this faultless earth, he who gains the midmost
gains the two extremes also. He who gains not the midmost gains the cruel smart
that the turtle feels when put into the pot to boil.
A young heifer fetches a good price when it is the calf of a good cow; so the words of
rich men though unlearned, pass current. Poor men's words, like the plough when
O wide-eyed one! though you cook the wild gourd pouring in salt, ghee, milk, curds,
and spices, it never loses its bitterness. So those who never discipline themselves,
though they may learn extensive works of true wisdom, never become disciplined.
When men scorn you, before their faces scorn them too ! what has a man to do with
them? — Lord of shore where beauteous Punnai-flowers perfume the glades that
Though cows in form are diverse, the milk they yield is not diverse. The way of virtue,
like that milk, is one in nature, though the schools that teach it here are like those
cows, of many forms.
Look well! of whom hath not the world found word to say ? And who have not by
prudence prospered in life's way? Ah! who in life's mid course no bitter grief have
known ? Ah! who to end of life have kept their wealth their own?
Save a man's deed: nought goes with him, search where you will. The body which
men cherish so, and adorn, is itself profitless indeed when death shall seize and
------
The burning ground is filled with the corpses of men that will not give themselves up
to a self renouncing life, but oscillate amid sorrows; and the maws of perverted
Their legs in iron bound, as slaves to alien lords they will till the black and barren soil,
who snared and kept in cages partridges and quails, that dwell in wilds where beetles
2 க ெதாIேநா) எIபேவ — அ கா
அலவைன காத42 கா றி2 திற
பழவிைன வ*தைட*த கா .
The penalty incurred by crab-eaters.
Like fire their palms shall glow, their fingers rotaway, who loved in other times on
crabs to feed, and broke their joints, what time the guilt of ‘olden deeds' comes home,
blaze and burn, and cause bitter anguish : so even upright men are perverted and
give themselves up to deeds of utter evil, when they attach themselves to those
Great men's intimate regard will daily grow in order due like the crescent moon. Mean
men's alliance like the full moon that rides the sky daily by degrees dwindles away of
itself.
Thou didst attach thyself (to unworthy persons), saying, they are men of absolute
integrity! If to thee who hast thus attached thyself, integrity in those thine intimates
does not appear; hear, O thou who hast so attached thyself, it is as if one opened a
Lord of the land where weighty gems glisten on mountain slope, O hear ! — Men's
Lord of the flowery hilly land where streams wash out and carry hither and thither
(precious things) from the marshy land ! — The effusive friendship of those who do
not attach themselves (to us) in heart, but perform certain friendly acts merely to
strengthen their own position, and who form friendships guilefully, will issue in
disappointment to the minds (of those who are intimate with them).
If the glittering swords a man brandishes (be allowed to) fall into the hands of his
foes, it will assuredly come about that he will thus destroy also his own power of
action. So wealth (bestowed on the foolish) will go and burn up (merit accruing in)
both worlds, and therefore the really good thing is to keep clear of the foolish.
O mind! thou leavest not the bonds of home. How many cycles, pray, with thou live
yearning still for children? Save the good he has done, however small its measure
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61
Beauty of locks, beauty of circling garments' folds, beauty of saffron tint: these are
not beauty true. Integrity of soul that brings the conscience peace is learning's gift:
Since in this world it yields fruit; since given it grows not less ; since it makes men
illustrious; since it perishes not as long as (its possessors) themselves exist; in any
world we see not any medicine that, like learning, removes the delusions of sense.
The excellent regard the salt produced in brackish ground as choicer than the Nel
from fertile soil. It is fitting to place in the first rank the learned wise, though (sprung)
It cannot be taken from its place of deposit; it does not perish anywhere by fire; if
kings of surpassing grandeur are angry they cannot take it away; (and therefore)
what any man should provide for his children as a legacy is learning. Other things are
many wait around! With clear discrimination learn what is meet for you, like the swan
As none contemn the ferryman, by old caste rule to lowest rank assigned, but cross
the stream by help he lends; so take thou teachings good and wise by help of him
We shall see whether any greater bliss is found in the city inhabited by the dwellers
in the ample heaven than is felt when men of natures formed by old imperishable
lore, from rivalries exempt keen as tempered steel, meet together and laugh.
diminishes in sweetness.
Lord of the cool shore of the resounding sea intimacy with learned people is like
eating sugar cane from the (tender, juicy) tip; association with graceless. sapless
men is like leaving the (tender) tip and eating it from the (hard, dry) root.
The benefits of association with the learned. The pot impregnated with odour.
Though themselves unlearned, if men live in association with the learned they
advance daily in excellent knowledge. The new vessel, by contact with the Padri-
flower of old renown and lustrous hue, imparts fragrance to the cold water it contains.
devote themselves to the recitation of mere worldly literature, they will acquire a store
of empty high-sounding words, but not that wisdom by means of which mental
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Though their clothes may be old and their body worn with want, men of noble birth
diminish nothing of their due observances. Will the lion nibble the creeping grass
Lord of the hills traversed by clouds that touch the heavens! true excellence, and
dignity, and good conduct, — these three things belong to men of race that touches
heaven, and not to others, even though they may have acquired great wealth.
approach of worshipful persons), going forth to meet them, departing when they
dismiss, and such - like things, the well born maintain as invariable decorum. The low
If men (of noble birth) do good things it is natural to them. As to evil things (to commit
these is impossible to them); for this would be guilt which many would bruit abroad.
What greater good then can accrue to men than high-birth, if it be their lot, to which
Dread of unlearned ignorance; dread of the work that base men do; dread of forgetful
slip in words which one must not utter; dread of not giving to those that ask: those
who are born of a race not so distinguished by conscientious fears are as trees.
Lord of the roaring salt-sea's cool shore, where gleam rare gems with
pearls!Association with the good, pleasant speech, a liberal hand, and purity of mind,
Though its frame-work has perished, and thronging white ants infest it, in a spacious
mansion some room will still afford shelter from the rain. Thus, although want annoys
them, the nobly born even yet will do what should be done.
Like the moon which affords light to the fair and spacious earth with one side, while
the dragon holds the other, the nobly born do not become remiss in works of seemly
Men of mean descent, even when all goes well with them, will not perform the good
deeds that the well-born will do, even when things do not go well with them.
Though the antelope should bear a pillion, it rushes not to war like the prancing
charger.
The nobly born, even when destitute, are props in time of feebleness to the needy
ones that draw nigh to them. So, when the wide river is dry, if you dig in its bed, forth
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68
The moon that diffuses light through heaven's fair realms, and truly worthy men are
alike: yet that endures a spot, while the truly worthy endure it. not; — perplexed and
Whether success attend, or do not attend the work, the excellent will even ponder
blameless ends.—Is the shaft that missed the lion worse than the arrow sent forth,
The excellent though emaciated and poor, do not transgress the limits of virtue and
commit evil. With wisdom for the pillar, with perseverance as the band, they bind (the
mind); and as long as they live they do what it behoves them to do.
69
Lord of the land of goodly hills ! —If trodden for a few days a path is formed over
even the craggy hill; so excellent persons, though they have seen (worthy) men only
for one day, as they were travelling, will bind them to their soul, exhibiting all the
Even when one speaks who has an ungrammatical knowledge of the letter, but not of
the meaning who is of a low (empty) school, and is unlearned the good with kindly
compassion will listen, though it is pain to them, being grieved that he should be put
Although you bite the sugar-cane, crush it till its joints are broken, grind it, and
express its juice, it still will be sweet. The highly born, even when men have passed
70
by abusing them so as to wound, never lose their self-respect so as to utter from their
They defraud not, drink not palm-wine, shun what is forbidden, never despise and
speak contemptuously of their neighbours, nor even forgetfully do they utter anything
untrue with their mouth : these men of faultless vision grieve not though they fall into
distress.
knowing what is befitting, a man thus abides, it is not necessary to teach him any
virtuous precepts.
They who are destitute of kindly courtesy, even after the lapse of many days, will
contemn (those that visit them), saying, ‘they will ask something of us'. The excellent
will treat them with distinction whenever they see them, saying, ‘if they ask something
of us, it is well'.
The lowest sort of men say, there are men of property,’— cling to them steadily,
follow them, and so flourish. Is it not as when a mine of treasure has been found,
--------------
Lord of the pleasant land whose hills resounding water-falls adorn ! — You may not
even to faultless men do things that enkindle wrath; for when their wrath is once
Although those whose (pretended) wisdom is without moral excellence have gained
access to men to whom approach is difficult even by gifts of gold alas! they pass
Both disesteem and thorough esteem are in the class of things that depend on the
estimation of the great. Those who have a discriminating knowledge of true science,
lay no stress on either the abuse or the fulsome praise of man who comprehend not
The serpent rich of hue, though it dwell in the mountain-cleft, from far is frighted by
the thunderbolt's fierce wrath; so men escape not though hid in strongholds hard to
‘You know not all our worth, for equals have we none:’ when self thus estimates
itself, this is not ‘esteem’ ! When perfect men, proficients in virtue, regard any as
Lord of the great sea’scool margin !—Friendships formed with mean men dwindling
die like shadows of the morn; friendship of men of old renown as shadows of the
Those who press their suit, fitness a part, enjoy the wealth of kings, and the charms
of maidens fair; so all the cool (shady) trees that droop earthward with thick foliage,
Severance from even those who have no under standing [lit. no understanding that
understands (so as) to understand] causes great and spreading sorrow. — Lord of
the shore of the great, unfailing, swelling bay !—To be intimate with none is ten
Days gone by without learning, those passed without any intercourse with the great,
those spent without giving what is fitting;— in the case of the excellent, if you tell
The greatness of the great is [the quality of littleness (in their own sight), i. e.]
humility; the (real) acquisition of those who have acquired (any). one (science) is
only are really wealthy who relieve the wants of those that approach them (as
suppliants).
----------------
75
In youth unwise, though men consort with haughty ones and walk in lawless ways;
yet, when they join with those that know the righteous path, their faults shall melt
Know virtue's path ! Dread death! Beat others' words severe! Beware ye practise no
deceit! Friendship detest with men of evil deeds! Daily get gain of words that fall from
greatmen's lips!
Severance of close-joined friends and sore disease and death, all these combined
hap to those that have assumed a human body: so the truly wise have felt that birth,
from the very first, is bitterness. Ah! soul, cleave close to these!
76
Though when you ponder it, it is surpassing: bitterness, none hate (this mortal) birth,
if in (this mortal) birth they ever perform friendly acts to men whose hearts are set on
When water from the town-sewers has joined the great river its very name is
changed, and it becomes a 'sacred stream’. Ponder well! Even those who have no
greatness of clan, if they ally themselves with good men of goodly fame, shall stand
firm as a hill.
is worshipped. Though scant their worthiness, men obtain worth who share friendship
Commingled with milk water becomes milk; at least, it shows no more as water by its
hue. Look close, the mean men's meanness shows not if they join themselves to
Grass close around the stump in the field adjoining the house will not be destroyed
by the ploughshare of the farmer ; [thus] though men are weak, if they get under safe
As Nel that flourishes through the goodness of the soil, good men become illustrious
by the excellence of their respective clanships.
Goodness perishes when it comes near evil associates, as the tornado advances
Though themselves pure in mind, even good men incur contempt because of their
associations. So in the woodland glade when a conflagration takes place (not the
worthless brushWood only, but) the fragrant Sandal and Vengai too are consumed.
--------------
19. ெப$ைம / Ch. 19. (Moral) Greatness
To give is no longer ours; and youth is gone far off ; our once beloved ones think of
us no more! To depart, having abandoned 'desire' that bids us love and hope for
Fools thinking 'we have found joy in the refuge of home,' and 'we are here in perfect
Those who have felt that 'refuge' is unstable, while it seems to stand fast, never fix
See that ye sow seed that in other world may germinate; free your lives from earth's
bewilder-ment and meanness ; stand in your lot as wise men; the changing hue of
things shall without cause fade, and many things be new.
The well of springing water serves the town that draws and drinks, even in time when
rains are scant; so great men in adverse hour dispense due gifts that others give not
even in their best estate.
The river pours forth a mighty stream and feeds the world; and when it is dried up, if
men dig in its bed, streams gush out! So good men when rich, give to many; and,
when ruined, give still at least to some, and do what should be done.
Lord of the lofty hills! Any evil in men of moral greatness shows like a brand on a
mighty bull; but although mean men do painful deeds, like the slaughter of that same
In proportion to the degree of one's intimacy with men essentially mean and without
good qualities sorrow accrues; but even the hostility of those who do not desire
forbidden things even in jest will confer dignity.
With gentle fair ones use gentleness surpassing theirs; with foes display a wrath that
death's self might dread; with persistent men show a persistency to match ; amongst
men of good do good; let the law of life be thus laid down.
These are the pure in heart who, though any vex, and with use of slanderous words
would fain perplex them, with calm unruffled mind abide unwavering, like the bright
The excellent will daily give to the needy in charity their first-served food; they
themselves will eat what is served after: such good conduct removes the three faults,
and from sorrow sets men free, through all the days, till comes the end.
---------------
20. தாளா1ைம / Ch. 20. Persevering Energy
Active independence.
As for kindred that feed upon what relatives give them they will die off like green
grain below a tank, which does not hold a sufficient supply (of water).
Is failure possible to men of energy that are quick in movement as the eyes of those
What once stood by the wayside, a twig that bent to every touch, when its core is
developed within, may become a stake to which they tie an elephant. Life too is thus,
eat it. Think not 'By (all my) knowledge I only gain menial tasks;" to the skillful hand
Manliness is working on, in no wise faltering, remaining stedfast though the matter
succeed not. When all is successful,— Lord of the cool lovely shore, in whose groves
the waves agitate the scented thorn, — will not even women live and flourish?
195.
195. கவி,
கவி, ெசவ,
ெசவ, தவ,
தவ, 5யசி இைவயி$3தா ஆ.
இைவயி$3தா உயல ஆ.
ந ல லெம தீய லெம
ெசா லள வ லா ெபா1ளி ைல — ெதா சிற0பி
ஒெபா1$ ஒேறா தவக வி ஆ$விைன
எறிவ!றா ஆ ல.
What is good or bad caste ?
When men speak of 'good caste' and 'bad caste' it is a mere form of speech, and has
no real meaning. Not even by possessions, made splendid by ancient glories, but by
Till the time for action comes men of understanding keep close within themselves
their wisdom and speak not of their designs (ஊ க = What they are labouring to
effect).
The world is subject to the nod of the brilliant (diplomatists) who search out (and
know) men's designs from outward indications (lit. from) their members, i.e. from eye,
If the banyan's trunk be eaten by the gnawing ant, its 'branch root' bears it up, like a
buttress; even so, when decay appears in the sire, the son he has begotten shall
The lion's pointed claw and mighty foot will wound the spotted face of an elephant;
those who have power like his , — though bereft of all, they die in want within their
Like the flowers on a rounded stalk, with hair like filaments that sweet cane bare,
when the sweet fragrance they breathed is lost, what gain accrues from birth in a
lofty noble house when energy that makes the name noteworthy, is wanting?
The base feed full of rice and savoury food, that men, great lords of the triple lands,
with generous gladness give; but water won with willing strenuous toil by those who
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As a mother when she sees her son upon her lap forgets the languors, the pains, and
the throes of birth; so trouble arising from weakness will die when a man sees his
To yield ready protection alike to all, as a tree affords shade to those that seek its
shelter when the heat grows fierce; and to live toiling so that many may enjoy the
gain, resembling thus a fruit producing tree, is the duty of the manly man.
fruits.
Lord of the land where mountains piled on mountains rise! the great demur not to
support their kith and kin ;—there is no bough but will support the fruit it bears,
Though mingled in a complete intimacy so that all the world knows of it, the
friendship of the little will last but little time. Connection with the firm unyielding men
endures till the great one's path, who never swerve, is reached.
‘Such are they and so many;’ ‘these are ours; those strange :’ those worthy to be
classed as chief of men say nothing like this ; so to speak is not their nature ; for they
More sweet than rice, though white as tiger's claw with milk and sugar served on
plate of gold, by loveless hands, is any tasteless mess, in any dish, when shared with
Most bitter (Margosa) is the bounteous meal of dainty food at early dawn in house of
those who love us not. Hear thou! though not till evening given, the mess of herbs
Even those who, like the artificer's small hammer (with slight strokes fashioning the
jewel), gently (னியா2), day by day, moulding their patron to their will, eat his food,
will drop him (when poverty assails him), as the pincers do the gold put into the
crucible. Those worthy to be called friends are like the artificer's rod which enters the
O maid adorned with fresh garlands of fragrant flowers! is there one thing that even
in other world, friends may perform for friends, if till they die, their joys they share, but
shun to share their griefs ?
The savoury fried curry, (in colour) like a cat's eye, which one eats seated a part in
the house of those who are without affection, will be bitter as margosa; but cold gruel
(weak and insipid), like clear water, in the house of affectionate equals, is ambrosia
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22. ந%பாரா4த/
ந%பாரா4த/Ch. 22. Scrutiny in Forming Friendships
Intimacy with those who understand the real intention (of one's words), and who have
acquired wisdom by learning, will at all times be like eating sweet cane from the
tender shoots; but attachment to those who have no sweetness of disposition is like
eating it in a direction opposite to the tender shoot (it grows harder and less sweet).
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Lord of the land of flowery hills, where wild-fowl golden in hue fly, scared by the rush
of the waterfall.
Regarding the mobility of their birth—these will not swerve:—To say thus is a good
ground of confidence—(a good position to take up); but to say ‘their minds are
known,' is not any (i. e. real ground).
Forsaking friendship with those who resemble the elephant, embrace and hold fast
intimacy with those who are like the dog; for the elephant will slay even its keeper
though it has long known him ; but the dog will wag its tail when it has in its body the
javelin (hurled at it by its angry master).
Though men dwell side by side for many days when their souls cleave not (are not
congenial) for even a few days they retain not their friendship. But is it possible to let
go attachment's well-knit ties, though those to whom one's soul is knit dwell many
days afar?
the flower on the tree-branch which having once unfolded afterwards closes not; but
who will esteem, or make friends of those who are like flowers on the surface of the
like the cocoa-nut tree. Attachments to the chief of men — who are old friends —is
like the Palmyra tree of rare worth : what was given that first day was given once for
all.
vomica.
If one receive you courteously, though what he gives is but rank herbs dressed in
water in which rice had been washed, it is ambrosia. To eat from the hands of those
who love us not, though it be white rice with rich spicy condiments, is nux vomica.
Of what value is the friendship of those who being very near like the little claw on a
dog's leg, afford not help as much as a fly's foot? Though you go far to seek it, lay
hold of the friendship of those who are like the water channel that causes the crops in
Better hate than friendship of the ignorant. Better death than disease which comes
on yielding to no remedy. Sweeter is killing thin contempt that breaks the spirit. Better
abuse than undeserved praise.
When men have formed an intimacy (மாீஇ) separation afterwards even from a snake
which slays with its tooth (பாீஇ), causes affliction (இனா) therefore associate
intimately with many, and for many days take them to your bosom, conform to their
tastes and habits (ெபாாீஇ ), and hold fast the really worthy ones.
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23. ந%பி பிைழ ெபா"த / Ch. 23. Bearing and Forbearing in Friendship
When those to whom with strong desire we clung as good, prove otherwise, keep the
sad secret bid, - cling to them still! The growing grain has husks; the water has its
its enclosure.
If though they dam it up, the fresh flood should burst its bonds, men do not feel
aggrieved; but straightway imprison it again, for by the precious stream they live: so
though their friends again and again do very disagreeable things, men bear with
Lord of the lofty hilly land, where the bees hum through all the flowery Gongu-glade !
— Though friends should work us surpassing ills, the only thing that is meet is
Lord of the shore where pearls of purest lustre are thrown up by circling waves, and
where swift darting boats are borne through the surf !—when friends who we may not
Though those, from whom you may not part, do grievous things, O maid who art as
Lakshmi! you must still cherish your chosen friends—fire destroys men's wealth and
When those from whom it is hard to part do evil things should men at once renounce
them?—Lord of the lengthening hills that pierce the sky, whence rarest giftsdescend
!—Do men cut off their hand because it pricked their eye?
Lord of the cool shore of the shining sea! The perfect ones when they have
contracted an intimacy with any, see no faults in them, even if they do things that
cause pain. Those who, being without stable wisdom, take up and tell out men's evil
deeds after contracting an intimacy with them, are themselves worse than they.
may be surpassingly evil, what is there to be pained at, when you regard it?
Things done by affectionate friends, will be excellent when so regarded by the mind.
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If we perceive those we have accepted as our own to be not really ours, we must pay
even more respect to them than to our own, and keep concealed in our own mind the
If, after I have taken a man for my friend, I go about prying into his faults and virtues
(other qualities), may I departwhither that man goes who has not kept his friend's
Lord of the pleasant well-watered mountain land, where boiling waterfalls pour down
from the dark hills! (Poor men) linger beneath the old roof that affords no shelter,
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baling out the water, and making mud embankments, and enduring the down-pour;
(even so unreal friends stick by you) till their purpose has been attained.
Lord of the land of pure (white, forming) waterfalls! The friendship of the virtuous is of
exceeding excellence, and yields glorious results — like (seasonable) rain; but the
friendship of the vicious, even in the time of its exuberance, is as when the rain fails
hell.
Enjoyment of the society of men of refinement resembles the heavenly world in the
pleasure it affords. Closest contact with those destitute of fine perception of the value
of learned pursuits —men who gain no wisdom from you, nor you from them—is one
of the hells.
Intimacy with those who have no sympathy is like fire in the stubble.
Lord of the land where wide groves of Sandal cover the hilly slopes! Friendship with
those who feel not its real obligation, like fire in the straw (suddenly) appears,
through delay things that could be done, will forthwith bring experience of sorrow
even to those who have condemned truthfully the pleasant experiences of life
together with it in the same pool : though they attain to intimacy with those of
generous instincts, the deeds of men in whom these instincts are lacking will be
diverse.
Lord of the hilly land where the immature little monkey, with its finger like a bean-pod,
will flip its father when it meets him, and poke him and snatch fruit from him! Afflictive
If I hasten not to put forth my hand and offer my precious life to my friend when in
distress, may I depart whither he goes who has violated the sanctity of his friend's
Lord of the land of goodly hills where honey flows! To forsake the friendship of those
who know the right, and cultivate that of shallow pretenders to knowledge, is like
emptying out cow's ghee from a vessel and pouring into it margosa oil.
The absence of generosity in those whose exterior is pleasing, is like the mingling of
water with the milk provided for food: when men of understanding take to bad
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Worthy men, when they behold where foes are foiled, themselves too feel sore
abashed, and do not hasten on to crush them. Behold, the strong invulnerable
dragon draws not near the moon (to swallow it) when it is in its tender crescent days!
Lord of the cool shore of the spreading sea ! To men in poverty a modest self-
restraint is the chiefest ornament. If a man live in unbending pride, and in a manner
Whatever soil you sow it in, the Strychnos nut grows not into a cocoa-palm. Some of
the Southern land have entered Paradise! It is man's way of life that decides his
future state. Full many from the Northern land are denizens of hell.
Though ripened amid margosa leaves the fruit of the plantain loses no atom of its
sweet flavour. Even so the friendship of men of noble mood, although their race be
Though close by the sea, sweet waters oft-times spring up there; on the hill-side the
waters often gush out all brine! Thus men are not as their race. — Lord of the
Lord of the cool sea-shore, where flourishes the thick-stemmed laurel ! Men whose
minds are good (constant), and who adhere to whomsoever they have formed an
intimacy with, will not sometimes avoid men, and at other times be intimate. It is good
Join the men who throughly feel true wisdom's inner sense, and forthwith joy joins
you. Join yourself to men devoid of the accurate preception of knowledge, and then
He that establishes a man in good, and he that disturbs that good position and casts
him down, and he that more and more exalts a man and establishes him, and he that
Lord of the cool shore of the sounding sea, where from old time the billows roar!— In
the course of their affairs when even great men follow after the unlearned, this is not
If a man has wrought all fitting works, enjoyed all seemly pleasures, done deeds of
charity to worthy men: if he shall have accomplished all these three unchecked, in
this one state, of him men will say: ‘that is a ship that has gained the haren'
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26. அறிவி-ைம / Ch. 26. The Lack of Practical Wisdom
The want of refined knowledge is poverty, its possession is very great and abundant
wealth. When one considers, will not a sexless creature, more woman than man,
Men of vast and varied lore are seen in low estate, and suffer want. Would you know
the reason? The anciently renowned ‘Lady of the tongue' abides with them). ‘The
He who, when his father urgently bade him learn, did not take it as a serious matter,
but contemned it; when, before many men, some one gently presents a written palm-
When a man who has grown up without learning enters the society of the wise, if he
sit still, it is as if a dog sat there; and if he rise to speak, it is as though a dog barked.
All the baser sort consorting with scholars of a heterodox and low school, will utter
illiterate rubbish; but men replete with learning, though urgently asked, utter not the
results of their learning, knowing that (the asker) would fail to apply their minds to the
Men of learned tongues are silent, fearing some slip; others (ignorant men) will speak
out; on the Palmyra tree the dried-up leaves make a loud rustling noise ; but
When you expound the way of virtue to ungrateful people, —which is like mashing up
sweet mangoes for a pig in a food — trough , — those virtuous teachings lose all
their force —have their point (தைல) broken (தக#) by the obtuseness of the
disciple— and do not enter into, or suit his ear, — like a stake which one would drive
Though you wash it with milk for many days and dry it, charcoal on no hypothesis
becomes white ! So into the undisciplined body wisdom enters not, though you teach
words.
To those whose minds are full of foul things, — like the fly which goes not to feed on
the flower that pours forth sweetness and breathes perfume, but fixes its eager
desire on ordure,—What clear comprehension can there be of the lucid words full of
fools.
The base man does not apprehend the faultless words of accurate instruction which
the learned utter. These pain his mind. He therefore looks in the face of some other
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one like himself (for encouragement), and convenes a wretched assembly of his own:
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27. ந-றியி
ந-றியி ெசவ / Ch. 27. Wealth that profits not
261.
261. ந-றியி ெசவைர நாடா அறிஞ.
அறிஞ.
அ1கல தாகி0 பலபIத கF
ெபாாிதா$ விளவிைன வாவ கா;
ெபாிதணிய ராயிC B7லா# ெச வ
க12 கட0பா;ட த.
Useless neighbours : so near and yet so far.
The bat approaches not the Heronia, with its dry stem, though it be night at hand and
bear abundant fruit; so although mean people are very close at hand, their wealth is
Men reach not out their band to the Kalli (Cactus), though it bears delicate round
buds by the handful, because these are not flowers they can weave into a garland to
crown themselves withal; so wise people from no friendships with the base however
Though men live on the curved shore of the sea with its multitudinous waves, they go
and drink at the well, with its perennial fountain of fresh water from the rock; so even
if those (who are neighbours) are very wealthy, the desire (of the poor) is towards the
are like mere palm tree tufts and brinjals—live prosperously, clad in silks and rich
garments.
While pleasant folk and just abide (in poverty), you ponder why men unjust and
ignorant have any joy. It is fruit of 'ancient deeds', thou whose long eyes are darts :—
O golden dame, that sittest like a scentless leaf on a beauteous flower! Die, and fall
in ashes to the ground: thou enterest homes of worthless men of perverse mind,
Has poverty, that bides with men of righteous souls, no shame? Does wealth to
ungenerous men stick like glue?O thou of dart-like eye, with wonder see that thus, no
Men who are not void of shame will travel forth on foot, and feed on scraps, —so
pass their days ; the shameless ones make no journeys on foot, but feed on dainties
While the red paddy's golden germ is parched within the ear and dies, the cloud
gleaming with lightnings pours forth its treasures on the sea. When silly men gain
Men void of understanding, though they learn, learn not! Men of understanding,
though unlearned, are as men learned! They are rich, though utter paupers, who
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To eat your own meal, after sharing what you have cooked, to the extent of your
ability, both with those who are friends and those who are not friends, is 'cooking and
eating' (= is real house keeping). To the good-for-nothing human beings whose habit
of life it is to shut themselves up and eat alone what they have cooked, the door of
Whatever the measure be, those who do even lesser acts of charity to the measure
of their power shall attain to excellence. But those who, when they have obtained
great wealth. say 'we will be wise (and give) by and by,' are lost in a sea of guilt.
The senseless man who spends not time in enjoyment (of his wealth), and who gives
nothing to pions devotees, but hoards and dies, —him his hoarded wealth derides;
The great wealth obtained by the man of straitened soul, who knows not how either
to give or to enjoy, shall be enjoyed by a stranger, in due season—like lovely virgins
Though they have got the mighty sea with its dashing waves (to drink from), men wait
for the stream slowly issuing from the little well, often dry, and drink there; so the
exceeding poverty of the virtuous is preferable to the wealth of those who know not of
As to the property which the wretched churl claims saying 'It is mine, it is mine ,' I too
chime in with "It is mine, it is mine;' for if it is his, he himself spends it not, nor enjoys
the benefit of it; and I, too, neither spend nor enjoy it!
The poor have escaped much from which rich men that dispense not suffer. They
have escaped the reputation of having lost (their substance). They have escaped the
toil of saving it. They have escaped (the labour of) digging (to hide it). They have
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escaped the ache of hands securing it from powerful plunderers. Many are the
While it was his he gave not; and his heirs, how it is theirs, give not. Before, while it
was his, if he had given, they would not have reproved (him); and afterwards, if they
had given, he would not have reproved them! Men's own avarice is the sole reason
Liberality is that which yields its gifts spontaneously (from good instinct), the askers
being as the calf and the givers as the cow; meanness yields only when put into a
strait and forced, as a cow with no good instinct gives a scanty supply (வ7) when
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Though he wraps a cloth dyed red around his loins, a dozen coins or so, will gain (the
wretch) respect among many men! The man devoid of wealth, though born of noble
Where water cannot enter! the more insinuating ghi glides in; and smoke as a subtler
power to penetrate than even ghi. If you look into it, the man debased by poverty will
When on the high hill's crags the Kanthal blooms no more, the crimson-spotted
beetle tribe seek not its boughs;—Lord of the hills wherefrom they scare parrots with
When wealth is there, obsequious myriads will assemble, like crows around the fallen
corpse. When wealth, as the beetle wheels its flight, is gone, no one in all the world
Lord of the pleasant land of clustering hills whose crags are washed by sounding
waterfalls !—Their race is nought, their manly prowess is nought, their rare learning
வி1*தினனாதேல ந.
Let the churl become a guest of others!
Although he dwells within the village, and sees the poor draw nigh with hungry soul
desiring aid, he yields them none : why then in the village does he vainly pass his
O thou whose teeth vie in sharpness with jasmine buds! — When sharp distress of
poverty assails, men lose all their attributes of goodness at once, with the mind's
Better indeed is the life that pertains to the ruinous course (ெக;ட ஆ), that going
far away (ெந;டா), stretches out (supplicating) hand at every door, than to dwell at
home (உ$\# ) toiling, subjectto (ஆ!0ப; ) obstacles (2 ). not giving aught
208ர+ ெசல*த கா .
Reverses.
The hands once loaded with golden bracelets now cull the forest-herb and cook the
meal; and then eat the mess unseasoned, from the palm-leaf for a dish! Thus sad at
The humming spotted beetle tribes all bright in hue gather not on the branch that has
ceased to blow. Lord of the good cool hilly land, of high renown, whence bounteous
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30. மான Ch. 30. Honour (Self-
(Self-respect.)
The mind of those possessed of honourable feeling will kindle into flame, like the fire
that has caught the forest when the conflagration rages, whenever they behold the
haughty acts of those who are destitute of virtuous habits, and to whom their wealth
Will (honourable men who are) 'masters of themselves' follow graceless men to tell of
their sufferings, tbough fallen away to mere skeletons ? Do they not (rather) tell the
pain they have felt to those enlightened souls that understand their sufferings before
they speak ?
As for ourselves we would introduce them (these friends) to our household : but as
regards them, they are ashamed (of us), as though they said, as soon as they (the
ladies) saw them (the friends,) it would be the destruction of their womanly reserve;
and so they seat us at the backdoor and give us rice! Therefore let us dismiss all
O thou whose locks diffuse the odour of pleasant musk! Behold, especially good is (it
to cultivate) that which is esteemed by men of honourable mind; for in this world it is
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(obviously) good : and, since it leads to perseverance in the way of virtue, it will yield
The men 'fulfilled of excellence,' though death were the alternative, do not deeds that
entail sin and guilt. Death is an affliction for one day, and for a little while. There is
nothing that works irreparable ill like those (deeds).
Poor are the men that give not, even though deemed wealthiest of all that flourish on
the teeming apple earth! They who even when they are poor seek not as suppliants
Thou who hast long dart-like eyes with eye-brows extending far, like a bow! the
lowest class of men dread burning hunger; the other (or middle class) dread what is
unpleasant; all the chief of men fear words that impute crime.
When the very worthy and thoroughly learned see the rich men's glance of
disparagement, as they say contemptuously, 'These are good people —persons in
greatly reduced circumstances—poor folks,' does not their mind kindle into flame
within them, like the fire by the breath of the bellows on the blacksmith's forge?
It is no shame (disgrace) not to (be able to give to those who desire it of us. The
shrinking on account of fear (felt) day by day is not shame (modesty). But to become
reduced in other ways, and not to [dare to] tell what injuries those who love us not
The jungle-haunting tiger that slays the wild cow, refuses to eat and passes by what
has fallen (of itself) in its path (i. e. carrion); so the excellent, though the wide realms
of heaven were within their reach, would not desire them, if to be obtained (only) by
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Will men themselves possessed of clear discerning knowledge follow after those who
have yielded themselves up to mental bewilderment, and who (erroneously) say (of
suppliants), ‘These poor folks depend entirely on us, evermore are they without
Is not a man's dying and birth again measured by the twinkling of an eye? Is it then a
fault if a man rather choose to suffer hunger, doing no blameworthy actions, than to
There will never be wanting those who, with their destitution as their support (making
it their excuse), will venture upon mendicancy, and tread the way of humiliation; but
will the noble-minded man enter (as a suppliant) the presence of any save of those
who will embrace him and say, 'Enter my dwelling, eat of my food ?'
Though fortune forsake him, and fate frown, the man of lofty soul, dwelling with
steadfast mind on things above, disdains to stand with bending neck in the train of
the foolish who hoard their wealth.
To live asking naught even from those dear as an eye, whose love is sure, and who
never refuse, is happy life. Since the mind dissolves in shame at the very thought of
beggary,— when men receive alms, what are the receivers' thoughts, I pray ?
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When a man himself, begs of himself, saying, ‘Let troubles come, let joys depart!' the
sting of poverty is extracted; why then, for this purpose, should any one, his mind
agitated with desire, and his eye wasted with weeping, beg of strangers ?
Lord of the land where gold is borne down by rushing waterfalls from every hilly
slope! — Though in this world new (kinds of) men are continually born, that very man
Want wastes his outward frame; he lays aside wisdom, his inward being's good; and
so resolving, begs of some stranger, saying, 'Give to me.’— If then the boon be
Men form close intimacies with others and live as their dependants, and this is
permissible ; but is it more painful quietly to go one's way (to the hermitage) than, lost
to all sense of personal dignity, to say, 'Will ye not do aught for me?’
intimacy Warrants. If he will not endure (the assistance), will it not be a fire heaped
darkened), who having forsaken the way pertaining to the assemblies of true wisdom,
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have there laid down propositions of unwisdom, and propagating them diligently, live
Well-disciplined men come not near the heretic (=man of evil learning, the teacher of
an evil system), who stores up (in his memory certain formulas, comp. 304), as
though he understood their worth, and repeats them by rote (lit. as a tongue-lesson).
The heretic, if worsted in the assembly, will abuse the family (of his opponents); or he
Many are the men that utter many things,—who long to raise up (in debate), from
mere love of talking and an itching tongue; who do not themselves apprehend the
power and might of learning; who know not the way to utter with penetrating force
whatthey have learnt; and who know not what defeat means.
The neophyte.
Without any learning of his own, the fool has obtained one formula from overhearing
the lessons of a tutor (who was teaching others ), yet unabashed he enters the circle
of the good, speaks it out, and makes exhibition of his mean understanding.
They who arise to utter words of wisdom, having associated themselves with the
assembly of those who rage and burn and fume with anger, like beasts, for the mere
sake of victory, not understanding the truth, shall see their own teeth like pumpkin
When foolish men chant their lesson, not knowing the fruit that lesson yields, but
uttering words that gender wrath, the learned ones, whose fame dies not, will stand
by ashamed, sorely pitying the mother that bare them.
Like the charms of those who sell their love for what they gain, the sacred texts are
easy to those who rightly learn then; but like the minds of these whose forms are soft
contents, fill the whole house with them; the sages who merely take care of books
are of one sort, and the sages who understand their contents, and make them clear
Lord of the land of long chains of hills where the wild cattle assemble in herds!
Is that a good commentary to a faultless composition, which consists of the words of
those who do not sift it thoroughly, in the four divisions of summary, amplification,
minute exposition, and supplementary information, and thus exhibit the full import?
8 லறி+ தாமறிவ தி .
Critics.
Will those who are not of high family, however they may study learned works, be fit
instruments to guard others from faults of speech? And men of good family who are
well learned will not (seem to) be aware of the deficiencies of those who do not
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Men of sense receive as a reality the words from the mouth of the loving ones who
graciously teach virtue. The (ignorant)wretch, himself unreal, speaks (of virtue) with
contempt. Just so the ladle distinguishes not the flavour of the rice boiled in milk.
When men of ungrudging soul declare the way of virtue, those who are not rightly
disposed, although they give ear, hear not. Even so the currier's dog seizes on and
What matters it whether they live or die—the shameless stupid people who do no
good, not even as much as a grain of millet, though they see by every species of
example the way in which their life so sweet to them, passes away in the twinkling of
an eye?
Since being's days are few, and life no safeguardowns, and guilt by many blamed is
rife, mid many men, why, laughing not with all they see, should any sulk apart, and
A man has gone before the assembly that had gathered together, and contemning
another has reviled him. Now if the reviled one remain silent, the reviler is to be
wondered at if he survive; (for abuse is his very life, and the patience of the reviled
He who before old age comes, has not undertaken and zealously carried out works
of virtue, will be pushed about in the house addressed in harsh language, and bidden
Men of scanty wisdom are those who do not themselves enjoy any sweets of life,
bestow no benefactions on worthy persons, draw not nigh the good path that
safeguards (the soul), but infatuated and absorbed in the acquisition of wealth, pass
In the very earliest time (in early youth) they take not food for the journey which they
must make (into another world), tying tightly the wallet on their shoulders ; but tying
tightly (their treasure bags), they say, 'In after days we will learn wisdom;' the gold
these idiots will indict with their hands (as legacies, when they are speechless, and in
When poor, or when disease's deadly grasp they feel, to other world alone their
minds are given ; but when wealth grows, no thought, small as a grain of mustard
Though they have gained a human frame, of virtue think they not! In vain they spent
their days. Alas! and yet they see death eagerly hasting to snatch away those
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While the turtle's murderers have put it into the pot, and kindled fire beneath, it sports
unconscious of its fate: such is their worth who joy entangled in life's not, while death,
They went to bathe in the great sea, but cried 'we will wait till all its roar is hushed,
then bathe!' Such is their worth who say, 'we will get rid of all our household toils and
learning, is of good family and attained a ripe old age, so that in these five points he
is faultless; yet his ignorance of what is thoroughly good, without stain, sanctioned by
ancient precedent, and of good renown in the world's ways, will render all his
Stones are much better than low men ; since, though those (too) are utterly without
apprehension of your words, yet they (stones) are of assistance to those that employ
them, inasmuch as they at once stand (where they are fixed), remain (where they are
put), lie (where they are laid), and remove (when they are moved).
If the fool, though nothing is to be gained (by such conduct), acting as though he had
gained something, waxing wroth against those who disdain (or are unable) to
contend with him, cannot say and utter forth in his wrath a string of evil words a
(pretence of) intimacy enjoyed by those who follow after (wealthy but) utterly
uncongenial men, and say 'we will bend them to our will,' is like loosing one's hand
If there be ghi in the pot, though they cannot get at it, the ants will swarm without
ceasing around the outside ; and so the people of the world will cling to and not leave
No good each day they gain; nor deed of virtue do; nothing to needy men impart; nor
know they joy of loved ones' sweet embrace ; devoid of fame they live: do such not
Friendship with those who are destitute of exquisite goodness, and who, though you
cultivate them with affectionate deference, (morosely) say we entertain affection for
none,'—though it should yield as its fruit the earth, which the sea with its noisy chime
The learning a man has acquired, his world - renowned excellence, and his nobility of
birth, will gain for him respect when the bystanders celebrate them; but if he himself
proclaim them, the young kinsmen crowding around will deride him as one afflicted
-----------
The fowl, though each morning duly you scatter broken grain into its very mouth, will
ceaselessly scratch in the refuse-heap; so, though you expound and show the base
man works of learning, full of weighty wisdom, he will but the more resolutely go on in
If you say to the base man, ‘Let us without delay go to seek refuge with faultless
sages possessors of mature wisdom,' he will probably get up and make off,
135
exclaiming, 'Let us go and slumber,!’ or he will perhaps demur, and change the
subject.
Lord of the goodly land of swelling torrents! If thoroughly worthy men gain some
added dignity, their nature knows no deviation, but they go on in the same even path
of virtue ; and although the base obtain promotion, his conduct too changes not,
Lord of the goodly land of glistening torrents ! The excellent will deem any favour
done them, though small as a grain of millet, to be large as a palm tree. You may
constantly confer favours huge as a palm tree, but they are not benefits, when
conferred on those who are not grateful.
The dog, though you tend it with care, feeding it from a golden vessel, will watch, eye
fixed for others' leavings ; even so, although you receive the base as if they were
possessed of greatness, the deeds they do will be otherwise (= their real character
at any time the base see some small fraction added to his scanty store, he will deem
Though made of faultless yellow gold, enwrought with choicest pearls, the slipper
serves but for one's foot; though the base be deemed prosperous through the wealth
The base man's habit of life. Victorious lord of the good mountain land! The base is
and anon full of sudden wrath, will run up and down and pour contempt on all he
meets.
fragrance round! The worthy, if men for many days stand waiting in their train will say
'these are old acquaintance,' and will make the place pleasant to them; the base in
Hear, O Sir! The little bullock-calves will not learn to bear the yoke and draw the
chariot, though you give them cut grass, clip them, and constantly rub them down;
so, though they have gained wealth, the base will be seen (to be so) by the deeds
they do.
-----------------
The thoroughly wise, though young in years, will guard themselves in stern self-
repression. The low unwise as age comes on become mature in evil works, and are
Though frogs flourish long in a rich large lake, they never rid themselves of their
slime; so it is hard for those void of fine perception, even when they have learned
Lord of the goodly land of mountain chains ! It is hard to stand before a man, and
publish even his praise. How then can mean men's tongues depreciate a man's good
qualities and proclaim his faults while standing before him?.
Chaste women trick not out their charms of womanhood, as is as the wont of the
wanton. Like fountains ever fresh those others make display of every charm, and
The base are like the chisel, that, though it is over the bud (to be sculptured), moves
not without some one to strike it. On those who are courteous these confer no boon
whatever. They will do everything for those who use violent means.
The hill-man thinks upon the beauty of his hills; the farmer thinks upon his fields that
have yielded him rich crops; the good think on the boons bestowed by worthy men;
The good attach themselves to those that have done them one act of kindness, and
forgive a hundred wrongs that arise. The base receive seven hundred benefits, but
Worthless persons even in high estate do not the deeds that men of noble birth
perform even in their poverty. Okeen-eyed maid! Men may enring and arm the boar's
‘To-day, at once, a little hence, we shall gain our end!’ So many speak and think, and
joyously tell it out among their friends ; but soon their eager minds are changed; and
they have perished like a lotus leaf.
Though born in the water, and its hue appear green, the Netti's pith knows no
moisture; so in the world are men of amplest wealth whose hearts are hard as stones
-------------
The mansion meets the clouds. A stately band of warders keep watch around. Gems
glisten therein like lamps. What then? Where the owner has not a wife of dainty
Though compassed round with a faultless guard of swords, ifonce they gain freedom,
in little time they are stained with every fault; and long is the time those soft-voiced
Death is the wife that stands and dares her spouse to strike! Disease is she who
enters not the kitchen betimes! Demon domestic is she who cooks and gives no
He hears (that marriage is another name for) dread, and yet he dreads it not! He
hears the fearful funeral drum, but it gives him no sense ! Again to take a wife and to
dwell bewildered amidst domestic enjoyments is a fault that merits stoning; sosay
(the wise).
The best thing is a life spent in penitential practices. The middle course is to live with
dear ones around. The worst of all is, with the thought that we have not enough,
men of noblest mood pass their time in learning. The middle sort pass their time in
the enjoyment of good things. The last and lowest cry : 'Our food is not sweet,' 'We've
that same red grain.— O fertile crofted village lord, whose fields are filled with
ripening crops of that same grain !—Wisdom of son is wisdom of the sire.
The wealthy men of great possessions and the perfect have perished, while wantons'
sons and base men multiply. The lowest takes chief place, and, like the umbrella's
handle, this world is upside down!
Lord of the good land of mighty hills whence streams descend sweeping along
pearls!
Better men should jump down a precipice than live with a mind not disposed to
assuage the pain of the dear ones who tell them of their heart's pain.
------------
The lamp's light and harlot's love examined well are seen to differ not a whit; the
lamp's light goes out when the feeding oil is consumed ! and the harlot's love is spent
She (of enticing beauty), adorned with choice jewels, said forsooth, 'I will leap with
you down the steep precipice;' but on the very brow of the precipice, because I had
no money, she, weeping and pointing to her aching feet, withdrew and left me alone!
Though he be Mal, the fiery-eyed, whom in the heaven's fair homes immortals
worship, if in hand he bring no gift the women tender as the buds men cull, will
To the damsels of loveless hearts, whose eyes are as beauteous as blue water-lilies,
those who have no wealth are as poison! Even those who have turned the (oil) press,
The silly ones, who are as beasts, seek the embraces of women who are like the eel,
which shows one head to the snake, and another head to the fish, in the sweet clear
damsel with golden bracelets: she has now become the horn of a fighting ram (she
angrily repels me). Dear heart! dost linger still, or wilt thou go?
Those who fondly reckon upon the devoted love of the worthless wanton, that, like
the wild ox, licks the hand and despoils men of their wealth, and then, like the buffalo,
Those whose avowed purpose it is to walk in the way of rectitude seek not the
embrace of the fascinating, fawn-eyed damsels, who walk in a way of their own' who
are pleasant when gratified with gifts, and when they are filled( =when no more gifts
Let those accept (wantons' false love), who take them as their own believing the
words uttered to inspire belief, by the bright-browed ones, who keep concealed within
the cruelty that lurks in their heart. Those whose bodies are their sole wealth belong
Though the dupes clearly discern and know the guileful intentions entertained by the
bright browed ones, even where their minds are (apparently) set upon some persons,
---------
Though women live famed as Ayirani for rarest gift of chastity, absence of men that
stand enamoured of their charms is a help in way of good to those of fragrant brow
When in the straitened time they cook and eat with but one pot of water on the
hearth,— if relatives arrive enough to drain the sea, the soft-voiced dame, the glory
On every side the narrow dwelling lies open, on every part the rain drips down; yet, if
the dame has noble gifts, praised by townsfolk for her modest worth, such a
She is sweet to the eye, and adorned in the way that a lover loves; she enforces
awe: her virtue shames the village folk; she is submissive; but in fitting place is stern,
‘Whenever our spouse takes us in his embrace, we feel a timid shame as if we saw
him then for the first time and they (wantons) daily, through desire of gain, submit to
As the scroll that he reads, whose inmost heart well understands it, is goodly wealth
with him who is graced by a generous spirit. As a keen weapon in the hand of a
'The lord of the town has bought, it seems, black gram and red gram, a tuni and a
pathakku, as if they were all the same! He, whose chest is broad as a mountain,
having associated with the beautiful browed ones , — inferior to me! — unpurified,
‘O minstrel, utter not cruel words, or if thou utter them, softly draw back thy step, and
go to utter them to those who are like the lute's right side; for we, to the lord of the
'I am she, forsooth, that felt a pang when a fly alighted on the lord of the town,
surrounded by cool rice-fields over which the waters gleam, where they pluck the rich
grass! And I am she who have lived to look upon his breast adorned with cool
'Minstrel , utter not a gross falsehood, saying that he who wears a garland of opening
‘To the lord of the town we are as the (tasteless) tip of the sugar-cane ; therefore, tell
(such a tale) to them who are like its middle (sweet, juicy) joints.'
--------------
'Lord of the cool shore of the deep bay, where the gleaming ocean's restless billows
beat!
'If there be no fond embrace, a sickly hue will spread itself (over her face); and, if
‘To those who were wont to strain in close embrace their own beloved whose broad
breast was girt with garlands, when the rains patter down, it is as though one beat
the funeral drum through all the regions where the muttering of the thunder is heard
from out the clouds; since they are deprived of their loved one's society.'
At wildering eventide, when workmen all put by their tools, she culled choice flowers,
and wove a gay garland ; — then let it fall from her hands, and wailed, 'What can this
'Regarding the setting sun, and wiping away one by one with her soft finger the tears
that well up in her eyes, suffused with red, sobbing she lies resting her arms on the
couch, setting off the days on those same tender fingers : alas; are they my faults
‘The little kingfisher seeing the eyes of my beloved (as she was disporting in the
tank) and taking them for carp, followed her; but though it followed, and poised itself
aloft, it darted not down, recognising her gleaming brow bent above them as a bow!
'When I applied the (softest) cotton soaked in the red dye to the foot of her whose
waist is lovely, and whose mouth breathes the fragrance of the red water-lily, did she
not cry "gently, gently," and shrinking draw it back? And oh! has it endured the stony,
When those who con the palm leaf scrolls had ceased, in eve's din twilight hour, she
thought of her absent spouse! and weeping plucked the flowers from out her wreath,
'Thou hast said, O maiden with burnished brace - lets ! have you strength to walk on
the morrow after your beloved? When one (a warrior) has obtained a splendid horse,
that very instant he has learned how to ride it! (his enthusiasm teaches him).
‘My breast, my necklace of pearls, and my whole body she embraced ! I knew not
what it portended. It was the sign, it seems, made by my lovely one that she was
about to set out on the path where the herds of antelopes flee in fright from the tiger.'
155
The triple-eyed (Civan), the crow, the hooded snake; the mother that bare me: what
have these done amiss ? Maiden whose bosom bears the Gongu buds, all gold! The
NALADIYAR
2. When by blameless means thou hast acquired great wealth, then, sharing it with
others, eat fine rice imported on oxen; for fortune never standeth in the centre with
3. He who hath gone forth as the leader of armies' mounted on the neck of an
elephant and over shadowed by ensigns of dignity, when the power of his former
deeds are turned against him, will fall and his wedded wife be taken by strangers.
4. Know that those things are uncertain which thou regardest as certain and perform
quickly every act of charity within thy power; for the days of thy life are gone! are
7. Death devours your days using the sun, whence they originate, as the measure by
8. Those of little understanding, not considering, their natural tendency, say “we are
wealthy'' ; the greatest wealth, may be utterly destroyed and vanish like a flash of
10. Those who avariciously hoard what they have acquired, vexing their own bodies
by stinting themselves in food and raiment, and not perform ing acts of imperishable
charity, perish, O King of the mountains touching the sky! Witness the bees when
32. Say not foolishly, O my soul! "while here let us pursue our own interests and let
us die without caring for virtue” ; for, although thou mayest live long and prosper, say
what wilt thou do when the days of thy life are passed?
33. When the senseless man receives the fruit of his deeds, he sighs bitterly and
grieves within himself;. the wise, reflecting that it is the destined consequence of their
sins, hasten to pass the appointed limit of their affliction and escape from it.
34. Having obtained a human form so difficult to obtain, act so as from it to acquire
great merit; for in the next birth, charity will profit thee as the juice of the sugarcane,
while thy body will resemble the refuse of the cane from which the
35. They who have pressed the cane and extracted the juice will not be grieved when
they see the smoke arising from the refuse while burning, nor will they who have
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acquired the merit accruing from the mortification of the body mourn when death
approacheth.
36. Think not whether it will be this day, or that day, or what day, but, considering that
death even now stands behind thee, eschew evil and pursue good in the way
38. The seed of the Al (Banyan tree) though exceedingly small grows large and
affords abundant shade; so, however small may be the benefit of a virtuous act, it
59. He who has power to observe the rule he has professed and to keep himself
undisturbed by the operation of the organs of sense, namely, the body, mouth, eyes,
74. Knowing what ought to be known and submitting thereto; fearing what ought to
be feared; performing every duty so as to satisfy the world; and living in the
enjoyment of pleasure according to their means; they who are thus disposed never
79. Flee from pleasure when thou canst enjoy it, if disgrace attend it; O Lord of the
80. Although thyself be ruined, think not of prejudicing others, however, they may
deserve it; eat not with those with whom thou shouldest not eat (enemies,
irreclaimable sinners, and the rest) even though thou lose the flesh of thy body by
hunger; speak not falsehood, intermixed with truth, although the whole world
101. As a young calf when let loose among a number of cows, naturally seeketh out
and attacheth itself to its own mother, in like manner doth the act of a former state of
existence seek out and attach itself to him who hath performed it.
104. To avoid those things which are to happen, or to detain those which are to
depart is alike impossible even to Saints; even as there is none who can give rain out
107. Behold all those whose bosoms are goaded by distress and who wander forlorn
through the long streets, and know, O Lord of the cool shore of the billowy ocean,
where the playful swans tear in pieces the water-flowers, that this proceeds from
108. When those, who not only are not ignorant but have learned that which they
ought to know, do that which is blameable ; this, O king of the cool shore of the broad
ocean, where the water-lily flings its odours to the winds, proceeds from the acts they
110. The effect of the acts of former births doth not fall below, nor exceed its due
proportion, nor doth it fail to come in its turn, neither doth it assist out of season, but
where it ought to be, there it is ; of what utility, therefore, is sorrow when it afflicteth
thee?
116. Although deeply instructed in the knowledge of truth, those who have not
thus, though the wild pumpkin be dressed with salt, clarified butter, milk, curd and
158. If one be deaf to the secrets of others, blind to the wife of his neighbour, though
well acquainted with her excellencies, and dumb in calumniating others, in him it is
183. Laying up seed for heaven, without delusion of mind and void of all distress
enjoy life like the wise, maintaining your proper station, but remembering always that
there are various things that change their nature without efficient cause.
201. As a mother forgets the pains and trouble she suffered during pregnancy and
child-birth, when she sees her infant on her lap; so the distress a man suffers from
poverty and other misfourtune disappears on the sight of his relations enquiring for
him.
or strangers, actuated by their natural feelings alone, seek all who are in poverty or
affliction and relieve their distress, will be regarded by every one as preeminently
worthy.
206. Than to eat on a golden dish rice, white as the claws of a tiger, mixed with sugar
and milk, from the hands of an enemy, it is sweeter to take a mess of grass-reeds,
without salt and in any kind of dish, in the house of a relation dear as life.
208. Even those who hare been pleasantly entertained by another, as frequently as a
hammer strikes the anvil, will forsake him as the tongs do the iron on entering the
fire! but those who are truly worthy of being called friends, will adhere to him in
distress, as the rod by which it is turned adhereth to the metal in the forge.
160
209. O thou who are adorned by a cool and fragrant garland! when relations have
partaken of the prosperity of their relations, if they partake not, also of their adversity
until death, is there anything they can do for them in the other world ?
211. Friendship with the wise, whose intelligence divines one's thoughts, is like
eating a sugarcane from the top (as its sweetness increases more and more);
connection with persons without sweetness of disposition is like eating it from the
213. Avoiding the friendship of those who resemble elephants, seek the friendship of
those who resemble dogs; for an elephant will kill his driver, whom he hath known for
a long time, but a dog will wag his tail while the spear thrown at him is still in his
body.
214. Men cleave not to those, to whom their hearts cleave not within a short space,
though familiar with them for a long time: but will the friendship interwoven with the
idea of those intertwined with their hearts, be abandoned, though they are for a long
time absent?
215. The preservation of friendship is when affection continues affection, like the
flower of the branch, which being blown, closeth not again! those who resemble the
flowers of the pool, which having blown, again close their petals, know neither
221. When those we greatly love and esteem as virtuous, prove otherwise, this ought
to be carefully concealed; for rice in the grain hath a husk water foam, and flowers
224. O Lord of the wave-resounding shore, where bright-rayed pearls are thrown up
by the rolling billows and where float swift-sailing ships! if friends, from whom it is
difficult to separate, possess not virtuous dispositions, they are a fire kindled to burn
our hearts.
guilty of evil deeds. O Lord of the renowned mountains, which covered by the long
stems of bamboos pierce the sky? Will men cut off their hand because it has struck
their eye?
230. If, after contracting a firm friendship with any one I set myself to note his good
and bad qualities, may I be cast into the hell, where the traitor, who discovereth the
secrets of his friends is punished, and may I be scoffed at by the whole world!
benefit as timely rain; but the friendship of the mean even in the time of their
prosperity, resembleth, O Lord of the country of clear waters! the failure of rain
in due season.
the joys of Heaven; but connection with unprofitable men, uninstructed in science
234. Our intimacy with those, to whom we are not bound by the chain of friendship, O
prince of the hills, the sides of which are covered by groves of tall sandal trees!
238. If I stretch not forth my hand and deliver my whole soul without hesitation to my
friend, when he is in distress, may I be cast into the hell, where the wretch is
punished who hath violated the chaste wife of his friend, and may I be scoffed at
244. Although the fruit of the plantain be ripened in the bitter leaves of the Vembu, it
will not lose its natural sweetness; thus although they who are naturally good
associate with the bad, their friendship for them will not corrupt their minds.
245. Sweet water may be produced even on the side of the sea-shore and salt water
on the side of a mountain. O Lord of the cool shore washed by the waves of the
Ocean ! it is truly said that sensible men will not imitate those with whom they
246. O Lord of the cool shore of the Ocean, where the thick-boughed Punnei
flourisheth! Will those, who are virtuous and impartial towards all, first contract and
then dissolve friendship? than this it is better that friendship should never be
contracted.
247. To be united in friendship with the prudent, who think of that of which they ought
256. Those whose tongues are adorned by learning and knowledge (the wise) fear
the disgrace of evil speaking; the unwise indulge therein: thus on the palm-tree the
dry leaves maintain a perpetual rustling, while the green leaves make no noise.
163
321. The moral precepts benevolently delivered by the kind-hearted, the wise receive
to their benefit, but the ignorant, devoid of all good qualities, treat them with scorn;
thus the ladle tasteth not the sweetness of the milk porridge it contains.
335. If a fool, when angry with others without any cause for anger, like one who
bewildered by passion, cannot crowd together abusive words, his tongue tingles all
over.
344. If the virtuous have received a favour as small as a grain of millet they will
produce no benefit.
346. The worthy, although they have attained to wealth and dominion, indulge not in
haughty language, but if the mean have acquired the wealth of one Cani (1/80th part)
added to one Mundire (1/320th) they will regard themselves as Indren, the king of
heaven.
353. O Lord of the country covered by mountains ! although it may be difficult to extol
the good qualities of persons before their faces, of what are the tongues of those
wretches made, who standing in their presence, declare their faults for the
356. The mountaineer thinks of his mountains, the husband-man of the cultivable
land, the produce of which he gathers; the wise think of the special benefits they
have received from others, and the fool keeps himself only in his own mind.
164
357. For one good turn they have received from another the wise will endure a
hundred evils afterwards inflicted; but if they have received a hundred good turns and
have suffered only one evil turn, fools will consider the hundred good turns as evils.
362. Though women of light conversation (!) be as strictly guarded as the blade of a
sword is care fully preserved (!); yet, if by any relaxation of vigilance, an opportunity
be offered to them, little of this time will be occupied by deeds which are not evil, and
much of it by them.
She, who resorteth not to her kitchen betimes in the morning, is an incurable disease;
And she, who, having prepared food, grudgeth it to those who eat it, is a devil to
domestic happiness;
370. When rightly perpended the water of the freshes and the love of women
adorned with ear-rings differ not; for the water of the freshes will be dried up when
the rain ceaseth, and so will their love when the income faileth.
371. When rightly perpended the light of a lamp and the love of courtezans differ not;
for the former is extinguished when the oil is dried up, and the latter estranged when
373. Let them have been even as liberal as Shenganmal (sic) the goddess of
whose hands are tinted like opening buds, will forsake those who have no wealth to
381. Although women are high in reputation and equal to the goddess Ayrani in
conjugal fidelity, they must cautiously avoid those who are enamoured of them and
follow them in hopes of gratifying their passions ! for such caution is the safe-guard of
382. If in time of distress, when the meal of the whole family is cooked by the water
of a small pot, a host of relations sufficient to consume the water of the sea should
come at once, the softly speaking woman, who shews herself as bounteous as the
383. Though her house be open on the four quarters, though it be exceedingly small,
and though the rain pour in on every side, a chaste and virtuous woman will be
renowned in the place in which she resideth and her habitation respected.
384. She who is pleasing to the eye, who in all things gratifieth her husband
according to his desire and at all times standeth in awe of him, whose modesty is so
conspicuous as shame her sex, who reverenceth her husband, and in all her love-
quarrels with him acteth with such prudence that reconciliation affordeth him
385. Whenever our husbands embrace our shoulders, we feel ashamed, as if we saw
them for the first time; what pleasure then can those women enjoy, who, from the
386. Riches in the possession of a generous man resemble in their effects the
learning acquired by a man of great natural ability ; the chastity of a modest woman
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166
ெச4? - எ1 ெச4? - எ1
5.
பா%0 5தறி அகரவாிைச 5.
…………………
GLOSSARY
அஆ - alas!
அஃ - diminish.
அக - centre.
அக2 – inwardly.
அகல - chest, breast of a man.
அக3 - dig.
அ கார - sugar.
அ - armlets of conch-shell.
அ: - axle.
அட க - self-restraint; modesty.
அட - greens, vegetables.
அ - cook; kill.
அ08 - hearth.
அ;7 - cook-house.
அண - affliction.
அ*ேதா - alas!
அபகார - injury.
அபராண - afternoon.
அமி32 - ambrosia.
அைம*த - thorough, full; fitness, things agreeable to; possessing in full measure.
அைம+ - fitness.
அ - beautiful.
175
அ8 - arrow.
அமைன - mother.
so!'
அய# - perform.
அயலா# - neighbours.
அர - red; gum-lac.
அர - stronghold.
அரா - serpents.
அாி(மா) - lion.
அ1த - wealth.
அ18 - a flower-bud.
அ1வி - a water-fall.
அல - computation.
அலாி - flower.
அலவ - crab.
அ4 - hermaphrodite.
அ - grow less.
அவி# - glisten.
அைவ- assembly.
அLவிய - envy.
அழ - fire, heat.
அழி - perish, go to ruin; destroy; waste away; loose; fall into despair.
அI - weep aloud.
அI - rot away.
அள+ - a measure.
அளா+ - mingle.
அறி - know.
அைனய+- all.
அ - it is not.
ஆ, ஆ - cow.
ஆ க - increase; wealth.
ஆண - love.
ஆ#- become full; feed full; sound; resound; hum; bind; ripe.
ஆ3 - deep; sink.
ஆ!ற - much.
ஆ!றாதா# - the poor and helpless; those who are unable to do anything in return.
இஃ2 - this.
இக - jealous rivalry.
இக3 - despise.
இைச - fame; agree; fall to the lot of; be possible, succeed; be innate; sound out.
இடபட - extensively.
இ - give, put.
179
இைடமிைட - commingle.
இய - nature.
இய 8 - nature; goodness.
இர - beg, ask.
இரவல# - mendicants.
இர+ - mendicity.
இ1*ைத - charcoal.
180
இல கண - sign.
Opp. உ ].
இழ - lose ; sacrifice.
இைளயா - a youth.
இறி - destitute.
இனா - trouble.
இனாைம- affliction.
ஈ - a fly; give.
ஈ - here.
ஈத - a bestowing in charity.
ஈ# - two; drag
ஈ - bear, produce.
உட8 - body.
உ ைக - garment.
உ; - dread; reverence.
உண - make dry.
உ7 - food.
உபகார - benefit.
உ0பி4 - insipid.
உ08 - salt.
உமி - husk.
உய#2 - exalt.
உய , உ)த - escaping.
உாிைம - possession.
உ1 - a thunderbolt.
உ1+ - form.
உலக - world.
உவ - be glad.
உழ - suffer.
உழ - wander about.
உI- plough.
உளி - a chisel.
உ$E - think.
உற - firmly, fastly.
உற - sleep
உற - the befalling.
உறி - if it be befalling.
உ08 - member.
உவ# - ascetics.
ஊ க - acting vigorously.
ஊர- head-man.
ஊ - flesh.
எ9ஞா - always.
எ - our.
எயி - tooth.
எ - night.
எ ைல - bound, limit.
எழி4 - a cloud.
எI2 - a writing.
எளிய - easy.
எனி - if.
எ8 - bone.
ஏ - go.
ஏ - pine.
ஏ;ைட - poverty.
ஐ, ஐ*2- five.
ஐய - alms.
ஐய - father.
ஒ- be likewise.
ஒ - be possible.
ஒ - be shaken, fail.
ஒ ைல - promptitude; swiftly.
ஒI க - decorum, virtue.
187
ஒ - punish.
ஒ!க - feebleness.
ஒனா# - enemies.
ஓ - rise above.
ஓ2 - study.
ஓ8 - cherish.
ஓ+ - cease.
கடல, கட - sea.
க708 - a drumstick.
க - make haste.
க - enrage.
188
க - eye.
கப - slumber.
கத - wrath.
கதி# - ray.
கர - conceal, refuse.
க1 - black; eminence.
க12 - regard.
க1வி - instrument.
189
க4 - cry.
க3 - wail.
கைல - a stag.
க வி - learning.
கழ - urge.
கI - vulture.
களி - elephant.
கற - sound.
கைற - darkness.
கன - fire.
க - calf.
கனி(ய#) - virgin(s).
கா ைக - crow.
கா - see.
காலா - be active.
- depth.
ைட - bullock.
தைலைம - folly.
பி - hell.
) - spice, seasoning.
1 - a bird.
வைள - water-lily.
I+ - unite, associate.
ற - pincers, tongs.
- small.
- approach.
- diminish.
<ைற - garment.
ேக3 - hue.
ேக$ - kindred.
ைக08 - bitterness.
ெகாH - cloud.
ெகாைம - roundity.
ெகா) - pluck.
ெகா ல - a smith.
ெகாI+ - fat.
ேகா - flexure, plait, fold; a branch; border; a curved tusk; bend, diverge from right.
ச*தன - sandal-tree.
சல - trickery.
சா - die.
சாகா - cart.
சா கா - death.
சால - much.
சா - abound.
சா! - announce.
சிவ - a partridge.
194
சிற - abound.
சின - anger.
: - burn.
:ைர - gourd.
P - scoop out.
ெசயி# - wrath.
ெசல+-advancing to meet.
ெச வ - wealth.
ெசறி - become dense ; stick close to, cling to, be attached, fasten on; hoard.
ேச ைக - nest.
195
ேச# - join, attach; acquire; fall to the lot of; come to attach; approach; gather.
ஞான - knowledge.
த - fit, be becoming.
த - abide, be stable.
த7 - flesh.
தமா!ற - perplexity.
த - cool.
தம# - kindred.
தைல - head; place, also a postposition of the'7th Case; what is chief extreme point.
தவசி - an ascetic.
த+ - fail; perish.
தழ - roar.
தைள - bond.
திக$ - moon.
திற - goodness.
தீ - touch.
தீ - sweet.
2, 2) - eat, enjoy.
2சாாி - profligate.
29: - die.
27 - a drum.
2ைணைம - ability.
22 - food.
208 - power.
2ள - agitation.
2றேவா# - ascetics.
2ைற - a haven
6# - root
ெதாி+ - understanding.
ெத1ம1 - be perplexed.
ெத1$ - be clear.
ெதளி - understand.
ேத: - lustre.
ேதைர - a frog.
ேத#+ - comprehension
ைத - penetrate.
ெதாைல: - destroy.
ெதா - ancient.
ெதா ைல - antiquity.
நைக - a laugh.
ந;8 - friendship.
ந8 - desire.
நய - love.
ந4 - afflict.
199
ந - good, goodly.
நைவ - fault.
நளி - great.
நற+ - fragrance
நறி - a benefit.
நாவா) - a ship.
நா!ற - fragrance.
நான - musk.
நிரய - hell.
நில+ - abide
நிைல - state
நி - your
நீ - forsake; abandon.
நீ - ashes.
= - refined; subtle.
=த - forehead.
V - shove, push.
V - a hundred; crush.
ெந7 - delay.
ெந)த - a water-flower.
ப - divide, share.
பக - bullock.
பசைல - sallowness.
ப9சி - cotton.
ப7 - sink down.
பைட - instrument.
ப;7ன- a sea-port.
201
பதி - city.
பத# - trough.
பய - yield.
பயி - glue.
பர - spread; extol.
பர08 - table-land.
பாி: - dignity.
ப1வ - season.
ப - tooth; many
ப கா - often.
பைழ - old.
பைற - a drum.
பாண - minstrel.
பாணி - hand.
பா2 - sharing.
பா3 - desolation.
202
பித# - fools.
பிற - swell
பிற3 - vary.
N - pride.
N$ - embryo, germ.
8க - declare.
8 கி - a permanent abode.
8த+ - door.
8ல - pout.
8ைல - silly.
8 - mean; grass.
8I க - parboiled rice.
8$ - fowl, bird.
8ன - a stream, torrent.
8ைன - adorn.
8 - mean.
O3- a quail.
ெப1 - increase.
ெப1மித - greatness.
ெப - obtain, gain, bear (a name), fetch (a price), gain, attain to, beget.
ேப7 - an hermaphrodite.
ேபைத - a simpleton.
ெபா- perforate.
ெபாசா - forget.
ெபா)ைக - a tank.
ெபாைற- patience.
ேபாக - enjoyment.
ேபா2 - hollowness.
ம9: - a cloud.
ம - kindle.
மணி - a gem
ம7ல - sun
மதைல - support.
ம2ைக - strength.
ம2ர - sweetness.
மம# - delusion
மய - confusion.
ம1+ - embrace.
205
ம1$ - be bewildered.
மல - an eel.
ம4 - be full
ம - abound, swell.
ம ல - abundance, fertility.
மைற - a secret.
ம - as a particle=indeed, forsooth
மC - abide.
மாட - a mansion
மா - glory.
மாாி - rain
மா!றா# - foes.
மா! - deny.
மான - honour.
206
மி - abound.
மிைச -(a case ending)=over, above on, upon; suck, feed upon.
மி7 - affliction,
மி - tightness.
மிC - lightning.
மீ- above.
மீ; - in return.
- hasten
ரச - drum.
ர - war.
ைல - jasmine.
ைள - a germ.
வ - tooth.
Hைழ - a ladle.
ெமைம - gentleness.
ேமைல - former.
ேமனி - body.
ைம - a fault; a cloud.
ைம*2 - bewilderment.
யா - tie, bind.
யாகF - everywhere.
யா - a river.
வ9ச - deceit.
வைம - liberality.
வபல - a neighbour.
வ1ண - caste.
வ4 - strength
208
வ சி - food.
வ த - is permissible.
வ ேல - promptly.
வI2ைண - brinjal.
வI8 - fat.
வள - abundance.
வ$ - strong, sharp.
வறிஞ# - paupers.
வா - manner, appearance.
வாாி - income.
வாளா - silently.
விர+- commingle.
விI- excellent.
வி$ள - separation.
B - perish.
ெவஃ - desire.
ெவ E - be wroth.
ெவ - cruel.
ெவ1 - a tom-cat.
ெவ!8 - a hill.
ெவறி - victory.
ேவ, ேவ - burn.
ேவக - wrath.
ேவைச - a wanton.
ேவ;ைக - desire
ேவ - a weapon, lance.
ேவழ - an elephant.
ேவளாைம - liberality.
--x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Tirukkural
This book contains metrical translation by Rev. Dr. G. U. Pope, translation in prose
rendered by Rev. W. H. Drew and Rev. John Lazarus and also the versions of Mr. F.
V. Kanagasabhai, B.A.,B.L.
This work sheds floods of light on the antiquities of the Tamil race, their Literature,
In this treatise, the author expounds the keen vision and deep insight of the authors
of the Sangam classics, in respect of the study and elegant portrayal of the floras and
faunas in all their serenity and romanticism in every discernible detail. Rs. 7.00
This volume contains articles in English and Tamil on philosophy, History and Tamil
Tamil India
In this work, the versatile author discusses in detail the hoary Tamil Language and
Literature, Trade, Polity, Arts, Science, Philosophy etc., the study of which has,
evidently, been neglected by the numerous oriental scholars of West and East drifted
Tamil Wisdom
This author traces the antiquity and splendour of Tamil language and literature and
the wisdom derived from the epigrams in Tamil. He has rendered the following works
This book is the collection of English Translation in lucid style, of ten ethical poems in