Chapter 3: The Greatness of Ascetics

ஒழுக்கத்து நீத்தார் பெருமை விழுப்பத்து
வேண்டும் பனுவல் துணிவு.

Ozhukkaththu Neeththaar Perumai Vizhuppaththu
Ventum Panuval Thunivu

No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny

Meaning: The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire

துறந்தார் பெருமை துணைக்கூறின் வையத்து
இறந்தாரை எண்ணிக்கொண் டற்று.

Thurandhaar Perumai Thunaikkoorin Vaiyaththu
Irandhaarai Ennikkon Tatru

To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere

Meaning: To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead

இருமை வகைதெரிந்து ஈண்டுஅறம் பூண்டார்
பெருமை பிறங்கிற்று உலகு.

Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram Poontaar
Perumai Pirangitru Ulaku

No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear

Meaning: The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others)

உரனென்னும் தோட்டியான் ஓரைந்தும் காப்பான்
வரனென்னும் வைப்பிற்கோர் வித்து.

Uranennum Thottiyaan Oraindhum Kaappaan
Varanennum Vaippirkor Viththu

With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain

Meaning: He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven

ஐந்தவித்தான் ஆற்றல் அகல்விசும்பு ளார்கோமான்
இந்திரனே சாலுங் கரி.

Aindhaviththaan Aatral Akalvisumpu Laarkomaan
Indhirane Saalung Kari

Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway

Meaning: Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses

செயற்கரிய செய்வார் பெரியர் சிறியர்
செயற்கரிய செய்கலா தார்.

Seyarkariya Seyvaar Periyar Siriyar
Seyarkariya Seykalaa Thaar

The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do

Meaning: The great will do those things which is difficult to be done; but the mean cannot do them

சுவைஒளி ஊறுஓசை நாற்றமென ஐந்தின்
வகைதெரிவான் கட்டே உலகு.

Suvaioli Ooruosai Naatramendru Aindhin
Vakaidherivaan Katte Ulaku

They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell

Meaning: The world is within the knowledge of him who knows the properties of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell

நிறைமொழி மாந்தர் பெருமை நிலத்து
மறைமொழி காட்டி விடும்.

Niraimozhi Maandhar Perumai Nilaththu
Maraimozhi Kaatti Vitum

Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display

Meaning: The hidden words of the men whose words are full of effect, will shew their greatness to the world

குணமென்னும் குன்றேறி நின்றார் வெகுளி
கணமேயும் காத்தல் அரிது.

Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar Vekuli
Kanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu

Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood

Meaning: The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted

அந்தணர் என்போர் அறவோர்மற் றெவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
செந்தண்மை பூண்டொழுக லான்.

Andhanar Enpor Aravormar Revvuyir
Kkum Sendhanmai Poontozhuka Laan

With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call

Meaning: The virtuous are truly called Anthanar; because in their conduct towards all creatures they are clothed in kindness