Wealth (பொருட்பால்) / Royalty
Chapter 56
கொடுங்கோன்மை
The Cruel Sceptre
Kotungonmai. Malay: Pemerintahan yang Zalim. Kurals 551 to 560.
When facing or avoiding tyranny and oppression.
How to say it
Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe AlaimerkontuAllavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu
Meaning in plain English
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
Poetic translation
Than one who plies the murderer's trade, more cruel is the kingWho all injustice works, his subjects harassing
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Velotu Nindraan Ituven RadhupolumKolotu Nindraan Iravu
Meaning in plain English
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"
Poetic translation
As 'Give' the robber cries with lance uplift, So kings with sceptred hand implore a gift
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa MannavanNaatorum Naatu Ketum
Meaning in plain English
The country of the king who does not daily examine into the wrongs done and distribute justice, will daily fall to ruin
Poetic translation
Who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor justly rules, that kingDoth day by day his realm to ruin bring
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum KolkotichChoozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu
Meaning in plain English
The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects
Poetic translation
Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse, At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan NeerandreSelvaththaith Theykkum Patai
Meaning in plain English
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 ?
Poetic translation
His people's tears of sorrow past endurance, are not theySharp instruments to wear the monarch's wealth away
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai AqdhindrelMannaavaam Mannark Koli
Meaning in plain English
Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance
Poetic translation
To rulers' rule stability is sceptre right; When this is not, quenched is the rulers' light
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre VendhanAliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku
Meaning in plain English
As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness
Poetic translation
As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath, Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai MuraiseyyaaMannavan Korkeezhp Patin
Meaning in plain English
Property gives more sorrow than poverty, to those who live under the sceptre of a king without justice
Poetic translation
To poverty it adds a sharper sting, To live beneath the sway of unjust king
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin UraikotiOllaadhu Vaanam Peyal
Meaning in plain English
If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers
Poetic translation
Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain, The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor NoolmarapparKaavalan Kaavaan Enin
Meaning in plain English
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
Poetic translation
Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry, And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie
G. U. Pope, 1886