II. Porutpaal

II.6 Natpiyal


Athikaaram 90 Periyaaraip pizhaiyaamai

Kural 891

Aatruvaar aatral ihazhaamai pohtruvaar
Pohtralu lellaam thalai.



English translation:

II. WEALTH

II.6 chapter on Friendship


Chapter. 90 Not offending the Great


Kural 891

The chiefest care of those who guard themselves from ill,
Is not to slight the powers of those who work their mighty will.
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).

my understanding:
Not being sarcastic about the skill of the people who can indeed do is the foremost of all praised-characters.


Other kurals:

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

Kural - 893
Who ruin covet let them shut their ears, and do despite
To those who, where they list to ruin have the might.
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).

Kural - 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.
The weak doing evil to the strong is like beckoning Yama to come (and destroy them).

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

Kural - 896
Though in the conflagration caught, he may escape from thence:
He 'scapes not who in life to great ones gives offence.
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).

Kural - 897
Though every royal gift, and stores of wealth your life should crown,
What are they, if the worthy men of mighty virtue frown?
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 ?

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

Kural - 899
When blazes forth the wrath of men of lofty fame,
Kings even fall from high estate and perish in the flame.
If those of exalted vows burst in a rage, even (Indra) the king will suffer a sudden loss and be entirely ruined.

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