Old Tamil Poetry

Translations of Tamil Poetic works that span 2000 years

Naaladiyaar – 32

“Forget virtue, desire wealth and multiply it;
We’ll be here forever”, don’t think so stupid heart!
Though you work tirelessly and live joyfully,
Your days are gone; What’s your plan, tell me?

‘ஆவாம் நாம், ஆக்கம் நசைஇ; அறம் மறந்து,
போவாம் நாம்’ என்னா,-புலை நெஞ்சே!-ஓவாது
நின்று உஞற்றி வாழ்தி எனினும், நின் வாழ்நாள்கள்
சென்றன; செய்வது உரை.

Don’t forget to do good deeds and just desire wealth, spending all your time in increasing it, thinking your days are forever. If you think so, you are stupid my heart. You might work tirelessly without taking a break and live your life as you wish, but your life time is dwindling. What are you going to do in the remaining days (for your afterlife), tell me.

ஆக்கம் – wealth
நசை – desire
அறம்  – virtue, good deeds
ஆவாம் – increase
போவாம் – will not go (die)
புலை – base / stupid
ஓவாது – without giving up
உஞற்றி – vigorous

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