Chapter 32 – Not doing Evil / Innaaseyyaamai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 311
Though ill to neighbour wrought should glorious pride of wealth secure,
No ill to do is fixed decree of men in spirit pure.
Explanation
It is the determination of the spotless not to cause sorrow to others, although they could (by so causing) obtain the wealth which confers greatness.
Transliteration
Sirappeenum Selvam Perinum Pirarkku Innaa
Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol.
Couplet 312
Though malice work its worst, planning no ill return, to endure,
And work no ill, is fixed decree of men in spirit pure.
Explanation
It is the determination of the spotless not to do evil, even in return, to those who have cherished enmity and done them evil.
Transliteration
Karuththuinnaa Seydhavak Kannum Maruththinnaa
Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol.
Couplet 313
Though unprovoked thy soul malicious foes should sting,
Retaliation wrought inevitable woes will bring.
Explanation
In an ascetic inflict suffering even on those who hate him, when he has not done them any evil, it will afterwards give him irretrievable sorrow.
Transliteration
Seyyaamal Setraarkkum Innaadha Seydhapin
Uyyaa Vizhuman Tharum.
Couplet 314
To punish wrong, with kindly benefits the doers ply;
Thus shame their souls; but pass the ill unheeded by.
Explanation
The (proper) punishment to those who have done evil (to you), is to put them to shame by showing them kindness, in return and to forget both the evil and the good done on both sides.
Transliteration
Innaasey Thaarai Oruththal Avarnaana
Nannayanj Cheydhu Vital.
Couplet 315
From wisdom’s vaunted lore what doth the learner gain,
If as his own he guards not others’ souls from pain.
Explanation
What benefit has he derived from his knowledge, who does not endeavour to keep off pain from another as much as from himself ?
Transliteration
Arivinaan Aakuva Thunto Piridhinnoi
Thannoipol Potraak Katai.
Couplet 316
What his own soul has felt as bitter pain,
From making others feel should man abstain.
Explanation
Let not a man consent to do those things to another which, he knows, will cause sorrow.
Transliteration
Innaa Enaththaan Unarndhavai Thunnaamai
Ventum Pirankan Seyal.
Couplet 317
To work no wilful woe, in any wise, through all the days,
To any living soul, is virtue’s highest praise.
Explanation
It is the chief of all virtues not knowingly to do any person evil, even in the lowest degree, and at any time.
Transliteration
Enaiththaanum Egngnaandrum Yaarkkum Manaththaanaam
Maanaasey Yaamai Thalai.
Couplet 318
Whose soul has felt the bitter smart of wrong, how can
He wrongs inflict on ever-living soul of man.
Explanation
Why does a man inflict upon other creatures those sufferings, which he has found by experience are sufferings to himself?
Transliteration
Thannuyirkaku Ennaamai Thaanarivaan Enkolo
Mannuyirkku Innaa Seyal.
Couplet 319
If, ere the noontide, you to others evil do,
Before the eventide will evil visit you.
Explanation
If a man inflict sorrow upon others in the morning, it will come upon him unsought in the very evening.
Transliteration
Pirarkkinnaa Murpakal Seyyin Thamakku Innaa
Pirpakal Thaame Varum.
Couplet 320
O’er every evil-doer evil broodeth still;
He evil shuns who freedom seeks from ill.
Explanation
Sorrow will come upon those who cause pain to others; therfore those, who desire to be free from sorrow, give no pain to others.
Transliteration
Noyellaam Noiseydhaar Melavaam Noiseyyaar
Noyinmai Ventu Pavar.
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