The Honour [ From 'naaladiyaar' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

291. Seeing the showy customs of the vile, rich,
self-conceited low-born, the heart burns
to the people with honour, like fire
in the forest which spreads and rages.

292. Those with self-respect e'en when their bones and flesh
get eroded, don't tell their misery
to the vile. Even to the men who foreknow
the ills of others, they don't reveal their gripes.

293. When we host a guest, he's led into the house
and fed within. But the rich keeps the poor
at the doorway as if the purity
of his house were in peril. Keep off the rich.

294. O, Wench with musk smelling tresses! Acts of
the honourable give all the benefits
in this birth and bring good things at the birth next.
So think of the respect of men of honour.

295. The great men don't do sinful and guilty acts
even in the face of death. Death is painful
for a minute in a day. It gives not pain
forever as the sin and guilt till they live.

296. If the rich don't give the poor in this vast world
flourishing, then the rich are the paupers.
They are the rich like the *Masters of three lands
if they don't beg even in penury.

297. O, Wench with bow-like brows and spear-like eyes!
The low-class fear the grieving hunger
but the middle fear fatal consequences.
The high class are scared by the charges made.

298. If the rich scoffs at the misery-struck
saying, " He is good; kind but a destitute",
the great heart of the great man burns like
the blown fire at the forge of the blacksmith.

299. If you don't give to those who seek, it isn't shame.
If you fear the fearsome daily, it isn't shame.
If you don't say it out what the great men do
some ill deeds in their bad days, it is the shame.

300. If the bashed wild cow fell to left, the tiger
feels a dishonor to eat it and takes leave.
E'en if the heaven is assured, the great men
don't like something if it brings dishonor.