Chapter 27: Penance

உற்றநோய் நோன்றல் உயிர்க்குறுகண் செய்யாமை
அற்றே தவத்திற் குரு.

Utranoi Nondral Uyirkkurukan Seyyaamai
Atre Thavaththir Kuru

Pains endure; pain not beings This is the type of true penance

Meaning: The nature of religious discipline consists, in the endurance (by the ascetic) of the sufferings which it brings on himself, and in abstaining from giving pain to others

தவமும் தவமுடையார்க்கு ஆகும் அதனை
அஃதிலார் மேற்கொள் வது.

Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum Adhanai
Aqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu

Penance is fit for penitents Not for him who in vain pretends

Meaning: Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now)

துறந்தார்க்குத் துப்புரவு வேண்டி மறந்தார்கொல்
மற்றை யவர்கள் தவம்.

Thurandhaarkkuth Thuppuravu Venti Marandhaarkol
Matrai Yavarkal Thavam

Is it to true penitent's aid, That others austere path avoid?

Meaning: It is to provide food etc, for the ascetics who have abandoned (the desire of earthly possessions) that other persons have forgotten (to practise) austerity ?

ஒன்னார்த் தெறலும் உவந்தாரை ஆக்கலும்
எண்ணின் தவத்தான் வரும்.

Onnaarth Theralum Uvandhaarai Aakkalum
Ennin Thavaththaan Varum

In penance lies the power to save The friends and foil the foe and knave

Meaning: If (the ascetic) desire the destruction of his enemies, or the aggrandizement of his friends, it will be effected by (the power of) his austerities

வேண்டிய வேண்டியாங் கெய்தலால் செய்தவம்
ஈண்டு முயலப் படும்.

Ventiya Ventiyaang Keydhalaal Seydhavam
Eentu Muyalap Patum

What they wish as they wish is won Here hence by men penance is done

Meaning: Religious dislipline is practised in this world, because it secures the attainment of whatever one may wish to enjoy (in the world to come)

தவஞ்செய்வார் தங்கருமஞ் செய்வார்மற் றல்லார்
அவஞ்செய்வார் ஆசையுட் பட்டு.

Thavanj Cheyvaar Thangarumanj Cheyvaarmar
Rallaar Avanjeyvaar Aasaiyut Pattu

Who do penance achieve their aim Others desire-rid themselves harm

Meaning: Those discharge their duty who perform austerities; all others accomplish their own destruction, through the entanglement of the desire (of riches and sensual pleasure)

சுடச்சுடரும் பொன்போல் ஒளிவிடும் துன்பஞ்
சுடச்சுட நோற்கிற் பவர்க்கு.

Sutachchutarum Ponpol Olivitum Thunpanjjch
Utachchuta Norkir Pavarkku

Pure and bright gets the gold in fire; and so the life by pain austere

Meaning: Just as gold is purified as heated in the fire, will those shine, who have endured the burning of pain (in frequent austerities)

தன்னுயிர் தான்அறப் பெற்றானை ஏனைய
மன்னுயி ரெல்லாந் தொழும்.

Thannuyir Thaanarap Petraanai Enaiya
Mannuyi Rellaan Thozhum

He worship wins from every soul Who Master is by soul control

Meaning: All other creatures will worship him who has attained the control of his own soul

கூற்றம் குதித்தலும் கைகூடும் நோற்றலின்
ஆற்றல் தலைப்பட் டவர்க்குல்.

Kootram Kudhiththalum Kaikootum Notralin
Aatral Thalaippat Tavarkkul

They can even defy death Who get by penance godly strenth

Meaning: Those who have attained the power which religious discipline confers, will be able also to pass the limit of Yama, (the God of death)

இலர்பல ராகிய காரணம் நோற்பார்
சிலர்பலர் நோலா தவர்.

Ilarpala Raakiya Kaaranam Norpaar
Silarpalar Nolaa Thavar

Many are poor and few are rich For they care not for penance much

Meaning: Because there are few who practise austerity and many who do not, there are many destitute and few rich in this world