Tirukkural Chapter 55 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Tirukkural Chapter 55 - Couplets 4,5,6

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 55 - செங்கோன்மை (நீதி முறைமை)
CHAPTER 55 - RIGHTEOUS RULE OF A KING (SCEPTRE)
***
55/04. குடிதழீஇக் கோலோச்சும் மாநில மன்னன்
அடிதழீஇ நிற்கும் உலகு.

55/04. Kudithazhik kolochchum manila mannan
Adithazhi nirrkkum ulagu.

55/04. The world will fall at the feet of a King
Who rules his subjects with all kindness.
***
Anjana: A King is supposed to rule with kindness.

Durga: True, a King must show kindness,
In whatever ranks, to all his subjects
Who expect his proper justice
And fair play in all cases.

People fall at his feet,
For his kindness, in fact,
As God virtually they treat him
And pay their respects to him.

King also is a human being,
And may sometime go wrong,
But in such an event,
He doesn't fail to regret.
***
55/05. இயல்புளிக் கோலோச்சும் மன்னவன் நாட்ட
பெயலும் விளையுளூம் தொக்கு.

55/05, Iyalpllik kolochchum mannavan naatta
Peyalum vllaiyulloom thokku.

55/05. If a King rules according to the laws in the scriptures
There will be plenty of rains and grains in his country.
***
Anjana: There is no wonder if there are plenty of rains and grains
If a King adheres strictly to the rules.

Durga: Nature also submits to prayers
And is happy to oblige rulers
Who are kind to their people
And help them as far as possible.

If there is one good King,
Plenty will be in everything,
Like plenty of rains,
And also plenty of grains.

When a King rules fairly,
His subjects live peacefully.
Everything goes on systematically
Peace prevails there automatically.
***
55/06. வேல்அன்று வென்றி தருவது; மன்னவன்
கோல்அதூஉம் கோடாது எனின்.

55/06. Velandru venrri tharuvadhu; mannavan
Koaladhoom koadaadhu enin.

55/06. It is not the spear a King throws, but the scepter he has,
That is straight, without bending, gives him victory.
***
Anjana: A King's scepter must be straight and must not bend.
If it bends his rule also bends.

Durga: A King may be a good hunter,
By throwing straight his spear,
But it'll not get him a name.
His scepter only brings him fame.

If the scepter bends
His justice also bends
Then he's unfit to sit
On the throne where he sits

The world praises the King,
That his scepter is ruling
Straight without bending
Thus he gets victory unending.
***

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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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