Tirukkural Chapter 108 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 108 - கயமை
CHAPTER 108 - MEANNESS
***
108/01. மக்களே போல்வர் கயவர்; அவர் அன்ன
ஒப்பாரி யாம்கண்டது இல்.

108/01. Makkale polvar kayavar; avar anna
Oppaari yaamkanndadhu il.

108/01. Mean minded persons are like human beings,
There are no persons like them among those whom we have seen.
***
Aaditya: Among many low class people
There are mean minded people.

Madhukar: In their outer appearance,
They look more like human beings,
But they surprisingly don't possess,
That character of human beings.

If there is no tendency of a man
What they are made of then?
That also can't be easily said,
As their knowledge is not so good.

By their character and actions,
They're different types of men,
Not like those sensible persons,
Who are good in their actions.
***
108/02. நன்றறி வாரின் கயவர் திருவுடையார்
நெஞ்சத்து அவலம் இலர்.

108/02. Nanrrarri vaarin kayavar thiruvudaiyaar
Nenjaththu avalam ilar.

108/02. Mean minded people are fortunate ones
As they don't have any mental worries.
***
Aaditya: What is there for them to worry about?

Madhukar: What is bad or good, wise men
Have power of discrimination,
So, they can easily understand,
And always try to act good.

Mean people are not like that,
By nature they've no thoughts
Of what is good or bad,
About which no worries they had.

But they'll do bad deeds
As if they're good deeds,
Without any hesitation,
To the best of their satisfaction.
***
108/03. தேவர் அனையர் கயவர் அவருத்தாம்
மேவன செய்தொழுக லான்.

108/03. Devar anaiyar kayavar avruththaam
Mevana seithozhuga laan.

108/03. One can say that low class people resemble like Devas,
As both of them perform actions as they like freely.
***
Aaditya: The poet is sarcastically compares
Mean people with Devas, the heavenly bodies,
As both are free to do or undo what they like.

Madhukar: Devas, the heavenly bodies,
They're not bound by earthly rules,
They do or undo as they like
Not caring for others' likes or dislikes.

Fire God burns green forests,
Wind God uproots healthy trees,
Rain God pours rain in seas.
Earth Goddess sends quakes.

Like Devas, low class persons,
They also do or undo things,
Not caring for others' likes or dislikes,
Thus equating themselves to these Gods.

(Note: Hindus believe that
Devas, the heavenly bodies,
Control Fire, Wind, Rain,
Earth and Space.)
***