Chapter 3: The Greatness of Ascetics / Neeththaar Perumai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
21. The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good,
Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood
Explanation : The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire
Transliteration : Ozhukkaththu Neeththaar Perumai VizhuppaththuVentum Panuval Thunivu
peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire
22. As counting those that from the earth have passed away,
‘Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say
Explanation : To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead
Transliteration : Thurandhaar Perumai Thunaikkoorin VaiyaththuIrandhaarai Ennikkon Tatru
23. Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,
In this world take their stand, in virtue’s robe arrayed
Explanation : The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others)
Transliteration : Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram PoontaarPerumai Pirangitru Ulaku
24. He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains,
Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains
Explanation : He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven
Transliteration : Uranennum Thottiyaan Oraindhum KaappaanVaranennum Vaippirkor Viththu
25. Their might who have destroyed ‘the five’, shall soothly tell
Indra, the lord of those in heaven’s wide realms that dwell
Explanation : Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses
Transliteration : Aindhaviththaan Aatral Akalvisumpu LaarkomaanIndhirane Saalung Kari
26. Things hard in the doing will great men do;
Things hard in the doing the mean eschew
Explanation : The great will do those things which is difficult to be done; but the mean cannot do them
Transliteration : Seyarkariya Seyvaar Periyar SiriyarSeyarkariya Seykalaa Thaar
27. Taste, light, touch, sound, and smell: who knows the way
Of all the five,- the world submissive owns his sway
Explanation : The world is within the knowledge of him who knows the properties of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell
Transliteration : Suvaioli Ooruosai Naatramendru AindhinVakaidherivaan Katte Ulaku
28. The might of men whose word is never vain,
The ‘secret word’ shall to the earth proclaim
Explanation : The hidden words of the men whose words are full of effect, will shew their greatness to the world
Transliteration : Niraimozhi Maandhar Perumai NilaththuMaraimozhi Kaatti Vitum
29. The wrath ’tis hard e’en for an instant to endure,
Of those who virtue’s hill have scaled, and stand secure
Explanation : The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted
Transliteration : Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar VekuliKanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu
30. Towards all that breathe, with seemly graciousness adorned they live;
And thus to virtue’s sons the name of ‘Anthanar’ men give
Explanation : The virtuous are truly called Anthanar; because in their conduct towards all creatures they are clothed in kindness
Transliteration : Andhanar Enpor Aravormar Revvuyir KkumSendhanmai Poontozhuka Laan
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