Chapter 25: Compassion

அருட்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் பொருட்செல்வம்
பூரியார் கண்ணும் உள.

Arutchelvam Selvaththul Selvam Porutchelvam
Pooriyaar Kannum Ula

The wealth of wealth is wealth of grace Earthly wealth e'en the basest has

Meaning: The wealth of kindness is wealth of wealth, in as much as the wealth of property is possessed by the basest of men

நல்லாற்றாள் நாடி அருளாள்க பல்லாற்றால்
தேரினும் அஃதே துணை.

Nallaatraal Naati Arulaalka Pallaatraal
Therinum Aqdhe Thunai

Seek by sound ways good compassion; All faiths mark that for-salvation

Meaning: (Stand) in the good path, consider, and be kind. Even considering according to the conflicting tenets of the different sects, kindness will be your best aid, (in the acquisition of heavenly bliss.)

அருள்சேர்ந்த நெஞ்சினார்க் கில்லை இருள்சேர்ந்த
இன்னா உலகம் புகல்.

Arulserndha Nenjinaark Killai Irulserndha
Innaa Ulakam Pukal

The hearts of mercy shall not go Into dark worlds of gruesome woe

Meaning: They will never enter the world of darkness and wretchedness whose minds are the abode of kindness

மன்னுயிர் ஓம்பி அருளாள்வார்க்கு இல்லென்ப
தன்னுயிர் அஞ்சும் வினை.

Mannuyir Ompi Arulaalvaarkku Illenpa
Thannuyir Anjum Vinai

His soul is free from dread of sins Whose mercy serveth all beings

Meaning: (The wise) say that the evils, which his soul would dread, will never come upon the man who exercises kindness and protects the life (of other creatures)

அல்லல் அருளாள்வார்க்கு இல்லை வளிவழங்கும்
மல்லன்மா ஞாலங் கரி.

Allal Arulaalvaarkku Illai Valivazhangum
Mallanmaa Gnaalang Kari

The wide wind-fed world witness bears: Men of mercy meet not sorrows

Meaning: This great rich earth over which the wind blows, is a witness that sorrow never comes upon the kindhearted

பொருள்நீங்கிப் பொச்சாந்தார் என்பர் அருள்நீங்கி
அல்லவை செய்தொழுகு வார்.

Porulneengip Pochchaandhaar Enpar Arulneengi
Allavai Seydhozhuku Vaar

Who grace forsake and graceless act The former loss and woes forget

Meaning: (The wise) say that those who neglect kindness and practise cruelties, neglected virtue (in their former birth), and forgot (the sorrows which they must suffer.)

அருளில்லார்க்கு அவ்வுலகம் இல்லை பொருளில்லார்க்கு
இவ்வுலகம் இல்லாகி யாங்கு.

Arulillaarkku Avvulakam Illai Porulillaarkku
Ivvulakam Illaaki Yaangu

This world is not for weathless ones That world is not for graceless swines

Meaning: As this world is not for those who are without wealth, so that world is not for those who are without kindness

பொருளற்றார் பூப்பர் ஒருகால் அருளற்றார்
அற்றார்மற் றாதல் அரிது.

Porulatraar Pooppar Orukaal Arulatraar
Atraarmar Raadhal Aridhu

The wealthless may prosper one day; The graceless never bloom agay

Meaning: Those who are without wealth may, at some future time, become prosperous; those who are destitute of kindness are utterly destitute; for them there is no change

தெருளாதான் மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டற்றால் தேரின்
அருளாதான் செய்யும் அறம்.

Therulaadhaan Meypporul Kantatraal Therin
Arulaadhaan Seyyum Aram

Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind

Meaning: If you consider, the virtue of him who is without kindness is like the perception of the true being by him who is without wisdom

வலியார்முன் தன்னை நினைக்கதான் தன்னின்
மெலியார்மேல் செல்லு மிடத்து.

Valiyaarmun Thannai Ninaikka Thaan
Thannin Meliyaarmel Sellu Mitaththu

Think how you feel before the strong When to the feeble you do wrong

Meaning: When a man is about to rush upon those who are weaker than himself, let him remember how he has stood (trembling) before those who are stronger than himself