Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 759

Earn wealth! There’s no sharper steel
to cut down foe’s conceit.

செய்க பொருளை! செறுநர் செருக்கு அறுக்கும்
எஃகு அதனின் கூரியது இல்

Wealth is the strongest weapon to cut down an opponent’s arrogance. So go forth and make money.

Thirukkural – 1224

In the absence of my lover, dusk arrives
like a harsh executioner.

காதலர் இல் வழி, மாலை, கொலைக்களத்து
ஏதிலர் போல, வரும்.

When my lover was with me, evenings were blissful. Now that he is absent, arrival of the evening is like that of a harsh executioner, out to slay my life.

Rev.G.U.Pope and Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati interpret கொலைக்களம் as battlefield. I have interpreted it as an execution square / place. Like (கொலைக்களக் காதை) in the epic Silappathikaaram. கொலைக்களத்து ஏதிலர் – Literally ‘stranger in the execution chamber’. Parimel Azhagar in his 13th Century commentary interprets ஏதிலர் – அருள் இல்லாதவர், one who is inconsiderate. I have used ‘harsh’.

Thirukkural – 208

Evil doers’ ruin is like the shadow
that never leaves one’s footsteps.

தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல் நிழல் தன்னை
வீயாது அடி உறைந்தற்று.

Ruin of the evil doers is inevitable. It won’t leave them,just like shadow that follows one without leaving him.

Thirukkural – 875

One who is without an ally, and has enemies two,
should make an ally of one of those two.

தன் துணை இன்றால்; பகை இரண்டால்; தான் ஒருவன்
இன் துணையாக் கொள்க, அவற்றின் ஒன்று!

When one faces two enemies and has to fight without an ally, he should ally with the more suitable among the two enemies and defeat the other. This couplet is under the chapter Judging the enemy’s strength (பகைத் திறம் தெரிதல்).

Thirukkural – 1089

She’s blessed with doe like tender eyes and modesty,
what’s the use of external jewelry?

பிணை ஏர் மட நோக்கும், நாணும் உடையாட்கு
அணி எவனோ, ஏதில தந்து?

He says, “She is beautiful with doe like eyes and innate modesty. What is the the use of external jewelry, which cannot add to her natural beauty?”

Thirukkural – 738.

Good health, wealth, fertility, happiness and security –
these five are said to be adornments of a country.

பிணி இன்மை, செல்வம், விளைவு, இன்பம், ஏமம்-
அணி என்ப, நாட்டிற்கு-இவ் ஐந்து.

Wise men say absence of disease, citizen’s wealth, fertile land, happiness of people and security are jewels of a country. I have translated ‘Absence of disease’ as ‘Good Health’.

Thirukkural – 540

To achieve what one has in mind is easy,
if he constantly has it in mind.

உள்ளியது எய்தல் எளிதுமன்-மற்றும் தான்
உள்ளியது உள்ளப்பெறின்.

To achieve one’s aim is easy, if he constantly has his aim in his mind. Similar to Napolean Hill’s “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”. 2000 years earlier than Hill though.

Thirukkural – 778

Men who rush to battle without fearing for their lives,
won’t lose their zeal even if Ruler chides.

உறின், உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர், இறைவன்
செறினும், சீர் குன்றல் இலர்.

The brave soldiers who respond to the battle call without worrying about their lives won’t turn back even if their King criticizes them and asks them not to rush.

Thirukkural – 1039

If the master’s absent, his land will sulk,
and like a grumpy wife, be in strife.

செல்லான் கிழவன் இருப்பின், நிலம் புலந்து
இல்லாளின் ஊடிவிடும்.

If the owner of the land doesn’t visit his land daily and take care of farm activities, the land will start sulking and will fall out with him, like a grumpy wife. In the original text ‘grumpy’ is not explicit, but all the commentaries from 11th Century onwards mention irritable wife. I have made it explicit in the translation.

Though this couplet is under the chapter “Farming”, it is applicable to any business. If business owner doesn’t go to his place of work daily and take care of it, the business will falter.