Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 70

A son’s reward to his father is to make others praise
“What penance he must’ve done (to merit such a son)”

மகன் தந்தைக்கு ஆற்றும் உதவி, ‘இவன் தந்தை
என் நோற்றான்கொல்!’ எனும் சொல்.

The best way for a son to reward his father is to do such good deeds that the world praises his father , “What penance he must have done to beget such a son”. The original verse does not state ‘to merit such a son’ explicitly- it is implied. In translation I made it explicit