Chapter 73: Not to dread the Council

வகையறிந்து வல்லவை வாய்சோரார் சொல்லின்
தொகையறிந்த தூய்மை யவர்.

Vakaiyarindhu Vallavai Vaaisoraar Sollin
Thokaiyarindha Thooimai Yavar

The pure fail not in power of words Knowing grand council's moods and modes

Meaning: The pure who know the classification of words having first ascertained the nature (of the court) will not (through fear) falter in their speech before the powerful body

கற்றாருள் கற்றார் எனப்படுவர் கற்றார்முன்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லு வார்.

Katraarul Katraar Enappatuvar Katraarmun
Katra Selachchollu Vaar

Among scholars he is scholar Who holds scholars with learned lore

Meaning: Those who can agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned will be regarded as the most learned among the learned

பகையகத்துச் சாவார் எளியர் அரியர்
அவையகத்து அஞ்சா தவர்.

Pakaiyakaththuch Chaavaar Eliyar Ariyar
Avaiyakaththu Anjaa Thavar

Many brave foes and die in fields The fearless few face wise councils

Meaning: Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned)

கற்றார்முன் கற்ற செலச்சொல்லித் தாம்கற்ற
மிக்காருள் மிக்க கொளல்.

Katraarmun Katra Selachchollith Thaamkatra
Mikkaarul Mikka Kolal

Impress the learned with your lore From greater savants learn still more

Meaning: (Ministers) should agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned and acquire more (knowledge) from their superiors (in learning)

ஆற்றின் அளவறிந்து கற்க அவையஞ்சா
மாற்றங் கொடுத்தற் பொருட்டு.

Aatrin Alavarindhu Karka Avaiyanjaa
Maatrang Kotuththar Poruttu

Grammar and logic learn so that Foes you can boldly retort

Meaning: In order to reply fearlessly before a foreign court, (ministers) should learn logic according to the rules (of grammar)

வாளொடென் வன்கண்ணர் அல்லார்க்கு நூலொடென்
நுண்ணவை அஞ்சு பவர்க்கு.

Vaaloten Vankannar Allaarkku Nooloten
Nunnavai Anju Pavarkku

To cowards what can sword avail And books to those who councils fail?

Meaning: What have they to do with a sword who are not valiant, or they with learning who are afraid of an intelligent assembly ?

பகையகத்துப் பேடிகை ஒள்வாள் அவையகத்து
அஞ்சு மவன்கற்ற நூல்.

Pakaiyakaththup Petikai Olvaal Avaiyakaththu
Anju Mavankatra Nool

Like eunuch's sword in field, is vain His lore who fears men of brain

Meaning: The learning of him who is diffident before an assembly is like the shining sword of an hermaphrodite in the presence of his foes

பல்லவை கற்றும் பயமிலரே நல்லவையுள்
நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார்.

Pallavai Katrum Payamilare Nallavaiyul
Nanku Selachchollaa Thaar

Though learned much his lore is dead Who says no good before the good

Meaning: Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements

கல்லா தவரின் கடையென்ப கற்றறிந்தும்
நல்லா ரவையஞ்சு வார்.

Kallaa Thavarin Kataiyenpa Katrarindhum
Nallaa Ravaiyanju Vaar

Who fear to face good assembly Are learned idiots, certainly

Meaning: They who, though they have learned and understood, are yet afraid of the assembly of the good, are said to be inferior (even) to the illiterate

உளரெனினும் இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் களன்அஞ்சிக்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லா தார்.

Ulareninum Illaarotu Oppar Kalananjik
Katra Selachchollaa Thaar

They are breathing dead who dare not Empress before the wise their art

Meaning: Those who through fear of the assembly are unable to set forth their learning in an interesting manner, though alive, are yet like the dead