Chapter 56: The Cruel Sceptre

கொலைமேற்கொண் டாரிற் கொடிதே அலைமேற்கொண்டு
அல்லவை செய்தொழுகும் வேந்து.

Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu
Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu

The unjust tyrant oppressor Is worse than cruel murderer

Meaning: The king who gives himself up to oppression and acts unjustly (towards his subjects) is more cruel than the man who leads the life of a murderer

வேலொடு நின்றான் இடுவென் றதுபோலும்
கோலொடு நின்றான் இரவு.

Velotu Nindraan Ituven Radhupolum
Kolotu Nindraan Iravu

Sceptered tyrant exacting gold Is \"give\" of lanced robber bold

Meaning: The request (for money) of him who holds the sceptre is like the word of a highway robber who stands with a weapon in hand and says "give up your wealth"

நாடொறும் நாடி முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன்
நாடொறும் நாடு கெடும்.

Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa Mannavan
Naatorum Naatu Ketum

Spy wrongs daily and do justice Or day by day the realm decays

Meaning: The country of the king who does not daily examine into the wrongs done and distribute justice, will daily fall to ruin

கூழுங் குடியும் ஒருங்கிழக்கும் கோல்கோடிச்
சூழாது செய்யும் அரசு.

Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich
Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu

The king shall wealth and subjects lose If his sceptre he dares abuse

Meaning: The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects

அல்லற்பட்டு ஆற்றாது அழுதகண் ணீரன்றே
செல்வத்தைத் தேய்க்கும் படை

Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan Neerandre
Selvaththaith Theykkum Patai

Groaning tears caused by tyrant's sway File the royal wealth away

Meaning: Will not the tears, shed by a people who cannot endure the oppression which they suffer (from their king), become a saw to waste away his wealth ?

மன்னர்க்கு மன்னுதல் செங்கோன்மை அஃதின்றேல்
மன்னாவாம் மன்னர்க் கொளி.

Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai Aqdhindrel
Mannaavaam Mannark Koli

Glory endures by sceptre right Without it wanes the royal light

Meaning: Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance

துளியின்மை ஞாலத்திற்கு எற்றற்றே வேந்தன்
அளியின்மை வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.

Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan
Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku

Dry like the earth without rainfall Is graceless king to creatures all

Meaning: As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness

இன்மையின் இன்னாது உடைமை முறைசெய்யா
மன்னவன் கோற்கீழ்ப் படின்.

Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai Muraiseyyaa
Mannavan Korkeezhp Patin

To have is worse than having not If ruler is unjust despot

Meaning: Property gives more sorrow than poverty, to those who live under the sceptre of a king without justice

முறைகோடி மன்னவன் செய்யின் உறைகோடி
ஒல்லாது வானம் பெயல்.

Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti
Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal

The sky withdraws season's shower If the king misuses his power

Meaning: If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers

ஆபயன் குன்றும் அறுதொழிலோர் நூல்மறப்பர்
காவலன் காவான் எனின்.

Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar
Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin

The *six-functioned forget their lore Cows give less if kings guard no more * the six functions are: learning, teaching, giving, getting, sacrificing, kindling sacrifice These are duties of Vedic savants

Meaning: If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas