Nature Of The Government [from 'proverbs Four Hundred' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

241. A stain to government to see the accused
as a friend or foe! Though they're like his own eyes
the king should punish them with harsh eyes when acts
unbefitting found. A soft king can't rule.

242. The wise men saved the son of the king and hid
his crime of running his chariot o'er a calf.
Knowing it, the king ran the car o'er his son.
To give judgement, old or young doesn't matter.

243. The king should hold fair enquiry and give
a verdict that pleases the rich and the poor.
A wrong judgement is to feed the child with milk
and water from each tit of the mother.

244. The just king wearing a wreath of flowers knows
the time to collect the tax from his people.
He strains not the poor for the tax as the bee
sucks the honey without spoiling the flowers.

245. A king collects th' tax from his people in time.
If you milk not the cow with a hope to get
a large measure after some days, you'll fail.
You take off the paddy from the sheaves in time.

246. A kind king shouldn't demand from his people tax
in excess to give them the freebies later.
Such a tyrannous act likens to cut th' crest
of a peacock and feed it in its mouth.

247. O, Chief of the coast with swelling waves!
No lid seals the tub in which the elephant
rolls and eats food. If a just king turns cruel
the people have no remedy ‘gainst his rule.

248. Those in penance for heaven like the larks
eating rain-drops, too scowl at the poor. The king
with a large force of elephants will grieve
if he scorns the weak foes and beats not them.

249. An honest king loving all needs no force
but love to drive out the invaders. If he
gains his force with pleas to beat the foes they'll flee.
A single stone scares off a thousand crows.

250. O, Wench wearing beautiful thick, stick-like rings!
If a just king hates an unjust foe, th'people
support him. Or else e'en Thirumal holding
the force of wheel too will be scorned by all.