Giving

Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense,
All else is void of good, seeking for recompense

Explanation
To give to the destitute is true charity All other gifts have the nature of (what is done for) a measured return.

Tamil Transliteration
Variyaarkkondru Eevadhe Eekaimar Rellaam
Kuriyedhirppai Neera Thutaiththu.

Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill;
Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still

Explanation
To beg is evil, even though it were said that it is a good path (to heaven) To give is good, even though it were said that those who do so cannot obtain heaven.

Tamil Transliteration
Nallaaru Eninum Kolaldheedhu Melulakam
Illeninum Eedhale Nandru.

'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply;
He gives to those who raise themselves that cry

Explanation
(Even in a low state) not to adopt the mean expedient of saying "I have nothing," but to give, is the characteristic of the mad of noble birth.

Tamil Transliteration
Ilanennum Evvam Uraiyaamai Eedhal
Kulanutaiyaan Kanne Yula.

The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight,
Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright

Explanation
To see men begging from us in disagreeable, until we see their pleasant countenance.

Tamil Transliteration
Innaadhu Irakkap Patudhal Irandhavar
Inmukang Kaanum Alavu.

'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain,
Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain

Explanation
The power of those who perform penance is the power of enduring hunger It is inferior to the power of those who remove the hunger (of others).

Tamil Transliteration
Aatruvaar Aatral Pasiaatral Appasiyai
Maatruvaar Aatralin Pin.

Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure;
For treasure gained thus finds he treasure-house secure

Explanation
The removal of the killing hunger of the poor is the place for one to lay up his wealth.

Tamil Transliteration
Atraar Azhipasi Theerththal Aqdhoruvan
Petraan Porulvaip Puzhi.

Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal,
The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel

Explanation
The fiery disease of hunger shall never touch him who habitually distributes his food to others.

Tamil Transliteration
Paaththoon Mareei Yavanaip Pasiyennum
Theeppini Theental Aridhu.

Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know.
Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so

Explanation
Do the hard-eyed who lay up and lose their possessions not know the happiness which springs from the pleasure of giving ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Eeththuvakkum Inpam Ariyaarkol Thaamutaimai
Vaiththizhakkum Vanka Navar.

They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;-
'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread

Explanation
29 Solitary and unshared eating for the sake of filling up one's own riches is certainly much more.

Tamil Transliteration
Iraththalin Innaadhu Mandra Nirappiya
Thaame Thamiyar Unal.

'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live.
For him who nothing finds to give

Explanation
Nothing is more unpleasant than death: yet even that is pleasant where charity cannot be exercised.

Tamil Transliteration
Saadhalin Innaadha Thillai Inidhadhooum
Eedhal Iyaiyaak Katai.