Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Thirukkural Chapter 90 - Not Offending the Great


Couplet 891 
The chiefest care of those who guard themselves from ill,
Is not to slight the powers of those who work their mighty will
Explanation
Not to disregard the power of those who can carry out (their wishes) is more important than all the watchfulness of those who guard (themselves against evil)

Couplet 892 
If men will lead their lives reckless of great men's will,
Such life, through great men's powers, will bring perpetual ill
Explanation
To behave without respect for the great (rulers) will make them do (us) irremediable evils.

Couplet 893 
Who ruin covet let them shut their ears, and do despite
To those who, where they list to ruin have the might
Explanation
If a person desires ruin, let him not listen to the righteous dictates of law, but commit crimes against those who are able to slay (other sovereigns)

Couplet 894 
When powerless man 'gainst men of power will evil deeds essay,
Tis beck'ning with the hand for Death to seize them for its prey
Explanation
The weak doing evil to the strong is like beckoning Yama to come (and destroy them)

Couplet 895 
Who dare the fiery wrath of monarchs dread,
Where'er they flee, are numbered with the dead
Explanation
Those who have incurred the wrath of a cruel and mighty potentate will not prosper wherever they may go

Couplet 896 
Though in the conflagration caught, he may escape from thence:
He 'scapes not who in life to great ones gives offence
Explanation
Though burnt by a fire (from a forest), one may perhaps live; (but) never will he live who has shown disrespect to the great (devotees)

Couplet 897 
Though every royal gift, and stores of wealth your life should crown,
What are they, if the worthy men of mighty virtue frown
Explanation
If a king incurs the wrath of the righteous great, what will become of his government with its splendid auxiliaries and (all) its untold wealth?

Couplet 898 
If they, whose virtues like a mountain rise, are light esteemed;
They die from earth who, with their households, ever-during seemed
Explanation
If (the) hill-like (devotees) resolve on destruction, those who seemed to be everlasting will be destroyed root and branch from the earth

Couplet 899 
When blazes forth the wrath of men of lofty fame,
Kings even fall from high estate and perish in the flame
Explanation
Kings even fall from high estate and perish in the flame

Couplet 900 
Though all-surpassing wealth of aid the boast,
If men in glorious virtue great are wrath, they're lost
Explanation
Though in possession of numerous auxiliaries, they will perish who are-exposed to the wrath of the noble whose penance is boundless

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