Chapter 69: The Envoy

அன்புடைமை ஆன்ற குடிப்பிறத்தல் வேந்தவாம்
பண்புடைமை தூதுரைப்பான் பண்பு.

Anputaimai Aandra Kutippiraththal Vendhavaam
Panputaimai Thoodhuraippaan Panpu

Love, noble birth, good courtesy Pleasing kings mark true embassy

Meaning: The qualification of an ambassador are affection (for his relations) a fitting birth, and the possession of attributes pleasing to royalty

அன்பறிவு ஆராய்ந்த சொல்வன்மை தூதுரைப்பார்க்கு
இன்றி யமையாத மூன்று.

Anparivu Aaraaindha Solvanmai Thoodhuraippaarkku
Indri Yamaiyaadha Moondru

Envoys must bear love for their prince Knowledge and learned eloquence

Meaning: Love (to his sovereign), knowledge (of his affairs), and a discriminating power of speech (before other sovereigns) are the three sine qua non qualifications of an ambassador

நூலாருள் நூல்வல்லன் ஆகுதல் வேலாருள்
வென்றி வினையுரைப்பான் பண்பு.

Noolaarul Noolvallan Aakudhal Velaarul
Vendri Vinaiyuraippaan Panpu

Savant among savants, he pleads Before lanced king, triumphant words

Meaning: To be powerful in politics among those who are learned (in ethics) is the character of him who speaks

அறிவுரு வாராய்ந்த கல்விஇம் மூன்றன்
செறிவுடையான் செல்க வினைக்கு.

Arivuru Vaaraaindha Kalviim Moondran
Serivutaiyaan Selka Vinaikku

Who has these three: good form, sense, lore Can act as bold ambassador

Meaning: He may go on a mission (to foreign rulers) who has combined in him all these three viz, (natural) sense, an attractive bearing and well-tried learning

தொகச்சொல்லித் தூவாத நீக்கி நகச்சொல்லி
நன்றி பயப்பதாந் தூது.

Thokach Chollith Thoovaadha Neekki
Nakachcholli Nandri Payappadhaan Thoodhu

Not harsh, the envoy's winsome ways Does good by pleasant words concise

Meaning: He is an ambassador who (in the presence of foreign rulers) speaks briefly, avoids harshness, talks so as to make them smile, and thus brings good (to his own sovereign)

கற்றுக்கண் அஞ்சான் செலச்சொல்லிக் காலத்தால்
தக்கது அறிவதாம் தூது.

Katrukkan Anjaan Selachchollik Kaalaththaal
Thakkadhu Arivadhaam Thoodhu

Learned; fearless, the envoy tends Convincing words which time demands

Meaning: He is an ambassador who having studied (politics) talks impressively, is not afraid of angry looks, and knows (to employ) the art suited to the time

கடனறிந்து காலங் கருதி இடனறிந்து
எண்ணி உரைப்பான் தலை.

Katanarindhu Kaalang Karudhi Itanarindhu
Enni Uraippaan Thalai

Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase

Meaning: He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands the proper decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion, knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after (due)

தூய்மை துணைமை துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றின்
வாய்மை வழியுரைப்பான் பண்பு.

Thooimai Thunaimai Thunivutaimai Immoondrin
Vaaimai Vazhiyuraippaan Panpu

The true envoy of three virtues Is pure helpful and bold in views

Meaning: The qualifications of him who faithfully delivers his (sovereign's) message are purity, the support (of foreign ministers), and boldness, with truthfulness in addition to the (aforesaid) three

விடுமாற்றம் வேந்தர்க்கு உரைப்பான் வடுமாற்றம்
வாய்சேரா வன்கணவன்.

Vitumaatram Vendharkku Uraippaan Vatumaatram
Vaaiseraa Vanka Navan

The envoy who ports the king's message Has flawless words and heart's courage

Meaning: He alone is fit to communicate (his sovereign's) reply, who possesses the firmness not to utter even inadvertently what may reflect discredit (on the latter)

இறுதி பயப்பினும் எஞ்சாது இறைவற்கு
உறுதி பயப்பதாம் தூது.

Irudhi Payappinum Enjaadhu Iraivarku
Urudhi Payappadhaam Thoodhu

Braving death the bold envoy Assures his king's safety and joy

Meaning: He is the ambassador who fearlessly seeks his sovereign's good though it should cost him his life (to deliver his message)