Chapter 26: Abstinence from Flesh

தன்னூன் பெருக்கற்குத் தான்பிறிது ஊனுண்பான்
எங்ஙனம் ஆளும் அருள்?

Thannoon Perukkarkuth Thaanpiridhu Oonunpaan
Engnganam Aalum Arul?

What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand

Meaning: How can he be possessed of kindness, who to increase his own flesh, eats the flesh of other creatures

பொருளாட்சி போற்றாதார்க்கு இல்லை அருளாட்சி
ஆங்கில்லை ஊன்தின் பவர்க்கு.

Porulaatchi Potraadhaarkku Illai Arulaatchi
Aangillai Oondhin Pavarkku

The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity

Meaning: As those possess no property who do not take care of it, so those possess no kindness who feed on flesh

படைகொண்டார் நெஞ்சம்போல் நன்னூக்காது ஒன்றன்
உடல்சுவை உண்டார் மனம்.

Pataikontaar Nenjampol Nannookkaadhu Ondran
Utalsuvai Untaar Manam

Who wields a steel is steel-hearted Who tastes body is hard-hearted

Meaning: Like the (murderous) mind of him who carries a weapon (in his hand), the mind of him who feasts with pleasure on the body of another (creature), has no regard for goodness

அருளல்ல தியாதெனிற் கொல்லாமை கோறல்
பொருளல்லது அவ்வூன் தினல்.

Arulalladhu Yaadhenin Kollaamai Koral
Porulalladhu Avvoon Thinal

If merciless it is to kill, To kill and eat is disgraceful

Meaning: If it be asked what is kindness and what its opposite, the answer would be preservation and destruction of life; and therefore it is not right to feed on the flesh (obtained by taking away life)

உண்ணாமை உள்ளது உயிர்நிலை ஊனுண்ண
அண்ணாத்தல் செய்யாது அளறு.

Unnaamai Ulladhu Uyirnilai Oonunna
Annaaththal Seyyaadhu Alaru

Off with flesh; a life you save The eater hell's mouth shall not waive!

Meaning: Not to eat flesh contributes to the continuance of life; therefore if a man eat flesh, hell will not open its mouth (to let him escape out, after he has once fallen in)

தினற்பொருட்டால் கொல்லாது உலகெனின் யாரும்
விலைப்பொருட்டால் ஊன்றருவா ரில்.

Thinarporuttaal Kollaadhu Ulakenin Yaarum
Vilaipporuttaal Oondraruvaa Ril

None would kill and sell the flesh For eating it if they don't wish

Meaning: If the world does not destroy life for the purpose of eating, then no one would sell flesh for the sake of money

உண்ணாமை வேண்டும் புலாஅல் பிறிதொன்றன்
புண்ணது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.

Unnaamai Ventum Pulaaal Piridhondran
Punnadhu Unarvaarp Perin

From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain

Meaning: If men should come to know that flesh is nothing but the unclean ulcer of a body, let them abstain from eating it

செயிரின் தலைப்பிரிந்த காட்சியார் உண்ணார்
உயிரின் தலைப்பிரிந்த ஊன்.

Seyirin Thalaippirindha Kaatchiyaar Unnaar
Uyirin Thalaippirindha Oon

Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed

Meaning: The wise, who have freed themselves from mental delusion, will not eat the flesh which has been severed from an animal

அவிசொரிந் தாயிரம் வேட்டலின் ஒன்றன்
உயிர்செகுத் துண்ணாமை நன்று.

Avisorin Thaayiram Vettalin Ondran
Uyirsekuth Thunnaamai Nandru

Not to-kill-and-eat, truly Excels thousand pourings of ghee!

Meaning: Not to kill and eat (the flesh of) an animal, is better than the pouring forth of ghee etc, in a thousand sacrifices

கொல்லான் புலாலை மறுத்தானைக் கைகூப்பி
எல்லா உயிருந் தொழும்.

Kollaan Pulaalai Maruththaanaik Kaikooppi
Ellaa Uyirun Thozhum

All lives shall lift their palms to him Who eats not flesh nor kills with whim

Meaning: All creatures will join their hands together, and worship him who has never taken away life, nor eaten flesh