Thirukkural 550 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கொலையிற் கொடியாரை வேந்தொறுத்தல் பைங்கூழ்
களைகட் டதனொடு நேர்.
Transliteration
Kolaiyir Kotiyaarai Vendhoruththal Paingoozh
Kalaikat Tadhanotu Ner
Modern English
“The poem uses a strong image: a ruler must remove murderous criminals to protect innocent people, just as a farmer removes weeds to save crops.”
Modern Interpretation
The poem uses a strong image: a ruler must remove murderous criminals to protect innocent people, just as a farmer removes weeds to save crops. For example, a court may lawfully keep a violent offender from harming others after a fair trial.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The poem uses a strong image: a ruler must remove murderous criminals to protect innocent people, just as a farmer removes weeds to save crops.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field
G.U. Pope Translation
By punishment of death the cruel to restrain,Is as when farmer frees from weeds the tender grain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
For a king to punish criminals with death, is like pulling up the weeds in the green corn
Tamil commentary
கொடியவர்களுக்கு மரண தண்டனை கொடுத்துத் தக்கவரைக் காப்பது, உழவன் களையைக் களைந்து பயிரைக் காப்பதற்குச் சமம்.
Chapter 55
More from The Right Sceptre
செங்கோன்மை
Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly
Kural 542The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice
Kural 543The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king
Kural 544The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart
Kural 545Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand
Kural 546Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might
Kural 547The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth
Kural 548Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring
Kural 549Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king
Kural 550Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field