The Knowledge of Indications

Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he,
Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea

Explanation
The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea.

Tamil Transliteration
701 Kooraamai Nokkake Kuripparivaan Egngnaandrum
Maaraaneer Vaiyak Kani.

Undoubting, who the minds of men can scan,
As deity regard that gifted man

Explanation
He is to be esteemed a god who is able to ascertain without a doubt what is within (one's mind).

Tamil Transliteration
Aiyap Pataaadhu Akaththadhu Unarvaanaith
Theyvaththo Toppak Kolal.

Who by the sign the signs interprets plain,
Give any member up his aid to gain

Explanation
The king should ever give whatever (is asked) of his belongings and secure him who, by the indications (of his own mind) is able to read those of another.

Tamil Transliteration
Kurippir Kurippunar Vaarai Uruppinul
Yaadhu Kotuththum Kolal.

Who reads what's shown by signs, though words unspoken be,
In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he

Explanation
Those who understand one's thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally).

Tamil Transliteration
Kuriththadhu Kooraamaik Kolvaaro Tenai
Uruppo Ranaiyaraal Veru.

By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain,
'Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain

Explanation
Of what use are the eyes amongst one's members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Kurippir Kurippunaraa Vaayin Uruppinul
Enna Payaththavo Kan?.

As forms around in crystal mirrored clear we find,
The face will show what's throbbing in the mind

Explanation
As the mirror reflects what is near so does the face show what is uppermost in the mind.

Tamil Transliteration
Atuththadhu Kaattum Palingupol Nenjam
Katuththadhu Kaattum Mukam.

Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill?
Rejoice or burn with rage, 'tis the first herald still

Explanation
Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed.

Tamil Transliteration
Mukaththin Mudhukkuraindhadhu Unto Uvappinum
Kaayinum Thaanmun Thurum.

To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought,
When men can look within and know the lurking thought

Explanation
If the king gets those who by looking into his mind can understand (and remove) what has occurred (to him) it is enough that he stand looking at their face.

Tamil Transliteration
Mukamnokki Nirka Amaiyum Akamnokki
Utra Thunarvaarp Perin.

The eye speaks out the hate or friendly soul of man;
To those who know the eye's swift varying moods to scan

Explanation
If a king gets ministers who can read the movements of the eye, the eyes (of foreign kings) will (themselves) reveal (to him) their hatred or friendship.

Tamil Transliteration
Pakaimaiyum Kenmaiyum Kannuraikkum Kannin
Vakaimai Unarvaarp Perin.

The men of keen discerning soul no other test apply
(When you their secret ask) than man's revealing eye

Explanation
The measuring-rod of those (ministers) who say "we are acute" will on inquiry be found to be their (own) eyes and nothing else.

Tamil Transliteration
Nunniyam Enpaar Alakkungol Kaanungaal
Kannalladhu Illai Pira.