Tirukkural Chapter 56 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 56 - கொடுங்கோன்மை
CHAPTER 56 - UNRIGHTEOUS RULE
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56/04. கூழும் குடியும் ஒருங்கிழக்கும் கோல்கோடிச்
சூழாது செய்யும் அரசு.

56/04. Kuzhum kudium orungkizaakkum kolkodich
Suzhaadhu seiyum arasu.

56/04. Without foreseeing events if a King does misrule
Then he will lose his earned as well as future wealth from people.
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Akash: If a King does misrule, he's the loser financially
And the goodwill of the people as well.

Swami: Because of King's unrighteous rule,
The main sufferers are his people,
Then empty his treasury goes,
And finally a pauper he becomes.

He should foresee events
That may cause damages
And be prepared to tackle them
Sufficiently before time.

He must retain the goodwill
Earned from all his people
And must keep his money
In safe custody of his treasury.
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56/05. அல்லற்பட்டு ஆற்றாது அழுதகண் ணீரன்றே
செல்வத்தைத் தேய்க்கும் படை?

56/05. Allarrplattu aatrradhu azudhakann nneerandrrea
Selvaththaith theikkum padai.

56/05. Because of King's misrule, people suffer and shed tears.
Those tears attack his wealth to come down.
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Akash: A King cannot do misrule
That causes untold sufferings to his people.

Swami: When a King does misrule
Causing tears in the eyes of people
Their tears turn as a weapon
That shoots his wealth down.

A King is for the people,
Nor for his own lifestyle;
If he fails to do his duties
Then what for a King he is?

It's unfortunate if he fails,
In doing his royal duties,
That'll turn as a curse
On people's daily lives.
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56/06. மன்னர்க்கு மன்னுதல் செங்கோன்மை; அஃதின்றேல்
மன்னாவாம் மன்னர்க்கு ஒளி.

56/06. Mannarkku mannudhal sengonmai; akdhindrrael
Mannaavaam mannarkku olli

56/06. A King's reputation depends upon his righteous rule.
If that is not there, his fame by any other means will not last long.
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Akash: A King can retain his name only by his righteous rule.

Swami: Yes, his reputation goes down
If his careless administration
Affects the people at large then
Besides the wealth of his own.

He'll be losing his name,
And his country's fame,
Thereby people get affected
And go against him frustrated.

So, he must observe righteousness
In dealing with his subjects,
If he should prosper well
And his subjects as well.
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