Chapter 11 – Gratitude / Seynnandri Aridhal
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 101
Assistance given by those who ne’er received our aid,
Is debt by gift of heaven and earth but poorly paid.
Explanation
(The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received.
Transliteration
Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum
Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu.
Couplet 102
A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth,
The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth.
Explanation
A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world.
Transliteration
Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum
Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu.
Couplet 103
Kindness shown by those who weigh not what the return may be:
When you ponder right its merit, ‘Tis vaster than the sea.
Explanation
If we weigh the excellence of a benefit which is conferred without weighing the return, it is larger than the sea.
Transliteration
Payandhookkaar Seydha Udhavi Nayandhookkin
Nanmai Katalin Peridhu.
Couplet 104
Each benefit to those of actions’ fruit who rightly deem,
Though small as millet-seed, as palm-tree vast will seem.
Explanation
Though the benefit conferred be as small as a millet seed, those who know its advantage will consider it as large as a palmyra fruit.
Transliteration
Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak
Kolvar Payandheri Vaar.
Couplet 105
The kindly aid’s extent is of its worth no measure true;
Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do.
Explanation
The benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure.
Transliteration
Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi Udhavi
Seyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu.
Couplet 106
Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermore
Forsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore.
Explanation
Forsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless.
Transliteration
Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai Thuravarka
Thunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu.
Couplet 107
Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in memory of the wise
Friendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes.
Explanation
(The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction.
Transliteration
Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar Thangan
Vizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu.
Couplet 108
‘Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away;
Of things not good, ’tis good to rid thy memory that very day.
Explanation
It is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted).
Transliteration
Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu
Andre Marappadhu Nandru.
Couplet 109
Effaced straightway is deadliest injury,
By thought of one kind act in days gone by.
Explanation
Though one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred.
Transliteration
Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha
Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum.
Couplet 110
Who every good have killed, may yet destruction flee;
Who ‘benefit’ has killed, that man shall ne’er ‘scape free.
Explanation
He who has killed every virtue may yet escape; there is no escape for him who has killed a benefit.
Transliteration
Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai
Seynnandri Kondra Makarku.
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