Chapter 71: The Knowledge of Indications

கூறாமை நோக்கக் குறிப்பறிவான் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
மாறாநீர் வையக் கணி.

Kooraamai Nokkake Kuripparivaan Egngnaandrum
Maaraaneer Vaiyak Kani

Who reads the mind by look, untold Adorns the changeless sea-girt world

Meaning: The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea

ஐயப் படாஅது அகத்தது உணர்வானைத்
தெய்வத்தோ டொப்பக் கொளல்.

Aiyap Pataaadhu Akaththadhu Unarvaanaith
Theyvaththo Toppak Kolal

Take him as God who reads the thought Of another man with without a doubt

Meaning: He is to be esteemed a god who is able to ascertain without a doubt what is within (one's mind)

குறிப்பிற் குறிப்புணர் வாரை உறுப்பினுள்
யாது கொடுத்தும் கொளல்.

Kurippir Kurippunar Vaarai Uruppinul
Yaadhu Kotuththum Kolal

By sign who scans the sign admit At any cost in cabinet

Meaning: The king should ever give whatever (is asked) of his belongings and secure him who, by the indications (of his own mind) is able to read those of another

குறித்தது கூறாமைக் கொள்வாரோ டேனை
உறுப்போ ரனையரால் வேறு.

Kuriththadhu Kooraamaik Kolvaaro Tenai
Uruppo Ranaiyaraal Veru

Untold, he who divines the thought Though same in form is quite apart

Meaning: Those who understand one's thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally)

குறிப்பிற் குறிப்புணரா வாயின் உறுப்பினுள்
என்ன பயத்தவோ கண்?

Kurippir Kurippunaraa Vaayin Uruppinul
Enna Payaththavo Kan?

Among senses what for is eye If thought by thought one can't descry?

Meaning: Of what use are the eyes amongst one's members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ?

அடுத்தது காட்டும் பளிங்குபோல் நெஞ்சம்
கடுத்தது காட்டும் முகம்.

Atuththadhu Kaattum Palingupol Nenjam
Katuththadhu Kaattum Mukam

What throbs in mind the face reflects Just as mirror nearby objects

Meaning: As the mirror reflects what is near so does the face show what is uppermost in the mind

முகத்தின் முதுக்குறைந்தது உண்டோ உவப்பினும்
காயினும் தான்முந் துறும்.

Mukaththin Mudhukkuraindhadhu Unto Uvappinum
Kaayinum Thaanmun Thurum

Than face what is subtler to tell First if the mind feels well or ill

Meaning: Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed

முகம்நோக்கி நிற்க அமையும் அகம்நோக்கி
உற்ற துணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.

Mukamnokki Nirka Amaiyum Akamnokki
Utra Thunarvaarp Perin

Just standing in front would suffice For those who read the mind on face

Meaning: If the king gets those who by looking into his mind can understand (and remove) what has occurred (to him) it is enough that he stand looking at their face

பகைமையும் கேண்மையும் கண்ணுரைக்கும் கண்ணின்
வகைமை உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.

Pakaimaiyum Kenmaiyum Kannuraikkum Kannin
Vakaimai Unarvaarp Perin

Friend or foe the eyes will show To those who changing outlooks know

Meaning: If a king gets ministers who can read the movements of the eye, the eyes (of foreign kings) will (themselves) reveal (to him) their hatred or friendship

நுண்ணியம் என்பார் அளக்குங்கோல் காணுங்கால்
கண்ணல்லது இல்லை பிற.

Nunniyam Enpaar Alakkungol Kaanungaal
Kannalladhu Illai Pira

The scale of keen discerning minds Is eye and eye that secrets finds

Meaning: The measuring-rod of those (ministers) who say "we are acute" will on inquiry be found to be their (own) eyes and nothing else