Domestic Life

The men of household virtue, firm in way of good, sustain
The other orders three that rule professed maintain

Explanation
7 He will be called a (true) householder, who is a firm support to the virtuous of the three orders in.

Tamil Transliteration
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Iyalputaiya Moovarkkum
Nallaatrin Nindra Thunai.

To anchorites, to indigent, to those who've passed away,
The man for household virtue famed is needful held and stay

Explanation
He will be said to flourish in domestic virtue who aids the forsaken, the poor, and the dead.

Tamil Transliteration
Thurandhaarkkum Thuvvaa Dhavarkkum Irandhaarkkum
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Thunai.

The manes, God, guests kindred, self, in due degree,
These five to cherish well is chiefest charity

Explanation
The chief (duty of the householder) is to preserve the five-fold rule (of conduct) towards the manes, the Gods, his guests, his relations and himself.

Tamil Transliteration
Thenpulaththaar Theyvam Virundhokkal Thaanendraangu
Aimpulaththaaru Ompal Thalai.

Who shares his meal with other, while all guilt he shuns,
His virtuous line unbroken though the ages runs

Explanation
His descendants shall never fail who, living in the domestic state, fears vice (in the acquisition of property) and shares his food (with others).

Tamil Transliteration
Pazhiyanjip Paaththoon Utaiththaayin Vaazhkkai
Vazhiyenjal Egngnaandrum Il.

If love and virtue in the household reign,
This is of life the perfect grace and gain

Explanation
If the married life possess love and virtue, these will be both its duty and reward.

Tamil Transliteration
Anpum Aranum Utaiththaayin Ilvaazhkkai
Panpum Payanum Adhu.

If man in active household life a virtuous soul retain,
What fruit from other modes of virtue can he gain

Explanation
What will he who lives virtuously in the domestic state gain by going into the other, (ascetic) state ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Araththaatrin Ilvaazhkkai Aatrin Puraththaatril
Pooip Peruva Thevan?.

In nature's way who spends his calm domestic days,
'Mid all that strive for virtue's crown hath foremost place

Explanation
Among all those who labour (for future happiness) he is greatest who lives well in the household state.

Tamil Transliteration
Iyalpinaan Ilvaazhkkai Vaazhpavan Enpaan
Muyalvaarul Ellaam Thalai.

Others it sets upon their way, itself from virtue ne'er declines;
Than stern ascetics' pains such life domestic brighter shines

Explanation
The householder who, not swerving from virtue, helps the ascetic in his way, endures more than those who endure penance.

Tamil Transliteration
Aatrin Ozhukki Aranizhukkaa Ilvaazhkkai
Norpaarin Nonmai Utaiththu.

The life domestic rightly bears true virtue's name;
That other too, if blameless found, due praise may claim

Explanation
The marriage state is truly called virtue The other state is also good, if others do not reproach it.

Tamil Transliteration
Aran Enap Pattadhe Ilvaazhkkai Aqdhum
Piranpazhippa Thillaayin Nandru.

Who shares domestic life, by household virtues graced,
Shall, mid the Gods, in heaven who dwell, be placed

Explanation
He who on earth has lived in the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in heaven.

Tamil Transliteration
Vaiyaththul Vaazhvaangu Vaazhpavan Vaanu?ryum
Theyvaththul Vaikkap Patum.