Old Tamil Poetry

Pazhamozhi 400 – 282

Wealthy is one who safeguards his wealth;
That wealth itself will safeguard him;
A residing tiger protects the forest;
In turn, forest protects the tiger.

உடையதனைக் காப்பான் உடையான்; அதுவே
உடையானைக் காப்பதூஉம் ஆகும்;-அடையின்,
புதற்குப் புலியும் வலியே; புலிக்குப்
புதலும் வலியாய்விடும்.

One becomes wealthy by safeguarding his wealth. In turn the wealth will safe guard him. Like how a tiger residing in a forest protects the forest. People are afraid of the tiger and don’t venture into the forest. At the same time, the dense forest offers protection to the tiger

உடையது – possession / wealth
உடையான் – who owns / wealthy
அடை – reside
புதல் – thicket / low jungle
வலி – strength / protection