Chapter 56 – The Cruel Sceptre / Kotungonmai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 551
Than one who plies the murderer’s trade, more cruel is the king
Who all injustice works, his subjects harassing.
Explanation
The king who gives himself up to oppression and acts unjustly (towards his subjects) is more cruel than the man who leads the life of a murderer.
Transliteration
Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu
Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu.
Couplet 552
As ‘Give’ the robber cries with lance uplift,
So kings with sceptred hand implore a gift.
Explanation
The request (for money) of him who holds the sceptre is like the word of a highway robber who stands with a weapon in hand and says “give up your wealth”.
Transliteration
Velotu Nindraan Ituven Radhupolum
Kolotu Nindraan Iravu.
Couplet 553
Who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor justly rules, that king
Doth day by day his realm to ruin bring.
Explanation
The country of the king who does not daily examine into the wrongs done and distribute justice, will daily fall to ruin.
Transliteration
Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa Mannavan
Naatorum Naatu Ketum.
Couplet 554
Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse,
At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose.
Explanation
The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects.
Transliteration
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich
Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu.
Couplet 555
His people’s tears of sorrow past endurance, are not they
Sharp instruments to wear the monarch’s wealth away.
Explanation
Will not the tears, shed by a people who cannot endure the oppression which they suffer (from their king), become a saw to waste away his wealth ?.
Transliteration
Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan Neerandre
Selvaththaith Theykkum Patai.
Couplet 556
To rulers’ rule stability is sceptre right;
When this is not, quenched is the rulers’ light.
Explanation
Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance.
Transliteration
Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai Aqdhindrel
Mannaavaam Mannark Koli.
Couplet 557
As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath,
Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe.
Explanation
As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness.
Transliteration
Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan
Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku.
Couplet 558
To poverty it adds a sharper sting,
To live beneath the sway of unjust king.
Explanation
Property gives more sorrow than poverty, to those who live under the sceptre of a king without justice.
Transliteration
Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai Muraiseyyaa
Mannavan Korkeezhp Patin.
Couplet 559
Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain,
The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain.
Explanation
If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers.
Transliteration
Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti
Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal.
Couplet 560
Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,
And Brahmans’ sacred lore will all forgotten lie.
Explanation
If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas.
Transliteration
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar
Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin.
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