The Cruel Sceptre

Than one who plies the murderer's trade, more cruel is the king
Who all injustice works, his subjects harassing

Explanation
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.

Tamil Transliteration
Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu
Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu.

As 'Give' the robber cries with lance uplift,
So kings with sceptred hand implore a gift

Explanation
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".

Tamil Transliteration
Velotu Nindraan Ituven Radhupolum
Kolotu Nindraan Iravu.

Who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor justly rules, that king
Doth day by day his realm to ruin bring

Explanation
The country of the king who does not daily examine into the wrongs done and distribute justice, will daily fall to ruin.

Tamil Transliteration
Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa Mannavan
Naatorum Naatu Ketum.

Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse,
At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose

Explanation
The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects.

Tamil Transliteration
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich
Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu.

His people's tears of sorrow past endurance, are not they
Sharp instruments to wear the monarch's wealth away

Explanation
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 ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan Neerandre
Selvaththaith Theykkum Patai.

To rulers' rule stability is sceptre right;
When this is not, quenched is the rulers' light

Explanation
Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance.

Tamil Transliteration
Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai Aqdhindrel
Mannaavaam Mannark Koli.

As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath,
Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe

Explanation
As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness.

Tamil Transliteration
Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan
Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku.

To poverty it adds a sharper sting,
To live beneath the sway of unjust king

Explanation
Property gives more sorrow than poverty, to those who live under the sceptre of a king without justice.

Tamil Transliteration
Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai Muraiseyyaa
Mannavan Korkeezhp Patin.

Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain,
The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain

Explanation
If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers.

Tamil Transliteration
Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti
Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal.

Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,
And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie

Explanation
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.

Tamil Transliteration
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar
Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin.