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பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல்: Seeking the Aid of Great Men
About this chapter
பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல், seeking the aid of great men, is about a ruler's need for wise and able advisers and the friendship of those who know more than he does. The kurals speak of kings, but the point holds for any leader.
Kural 441 advises securing the friendship of those who know virtue and have mature wisdom, after weighing their worth. Kural 442 names those worth having: people who remove present trouble and guard against future trouble. Kural 443 admits that winning such people is the hardest of all things, and Kural 444 calls it the highest strength to make those greater than oneself one's own. Kural 445 calls ministers the king's eyes, so they must be examined before being chosen. Kural 446 says that one allied with worthy people leaves nothing for his enemies to do. Kurals 447 and 448 are the most striking: a ruler whose advisers can rebuke him cannot easily be destroyed, while one without such critics will fall even if nobody opposes him. Kural 449 compares a person without supporters to someone with no capital, and Kural 450 closes with the claim that losing the friendship of the good is ten times worse than the hatred of many.
Kural 447 and Kural 448 are the two to learn, as they praise advisers who speak plainly.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance and the idea of counsel in leadership.
The 10 kurals of பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
அறனறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை
திறனறிந்து தேர்ந்து கொளல்.
Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai
Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal
As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share, Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care
உற்றநோய் நீக்கி உறாஅமை முற்காக்கும்
பெற்றியார்ப் பேணிக் கொளல்.
Utranoi Neekki Uraaamai Murkaakkum
Petriyaarp Penik Kolal
Cherish the all-accomplished men as friends, Whose skill the present ill removes, from coming ill defends
அரியவற்று ளெல்லாம் அரிதே பெரியாரைப்
பேணித் தமராக் கொளல்.
Ariyavatru Lellaam Aridhe Periyaaraip
Penith Thamaraak Kolal
To cherish men of mighty soul, and make them all their own, Of kingly treasures rare, as rarest gift is known
தம்மிற் பெரியார் தமரா ஒழுகுதல்
வன்மையு ளெல்லாந் தலை.
Thammir Periyaar Thamaraa Ozhukudhal
Vanmaiyu Lellaan Thalai
To live with men of greatness that their own excels, As cherished friends, is greatest power that with a monarch dwells
சூழ்வார்கண் ணாக ஒழுகலான் மன்னவன்
சூழ்வாரைக் சூழ்ந்து கொளல்.
Soozhvaarkan Naaka Ozhukalaan Mannavan
Soozhvaaraik Soozhndhu Kolal
The king, since counsellors are monarch's eyes, Should counsellors select with counsel wise
தக்கா ரினத்தனாய்த் தானொழுக வல்லானைச்
செற்றார் செயக்கிடந்த தில்.
Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich
Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil
The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied, Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride
இடிக்குந் துணையாரை யாள்வரை யாரே
கெடுக்குந் தகைமை யவர்.
Itikkun Thunaiyaarai Yaalvarai Yaare
Ketukkun Thakaimai Yavar
What power can work his fall, who faithful ministersEmploys, that thunder out reproaches when he errs
இடிப்பாரை இல்லாத ஏமரா மன்னன்
கெடுப்பா ரிலானுங் கெடும்.
Itippaarai Illaadha Emaraa Mannan
Ketuppaa Rilaanung Ketum
The king with none to censure him, bereft of safeguards all, Though none his ruin work, shall surely ruined fall
முதலிலார்க ஊதிய மில்லை மதலையாஞ்
சார்பிலார்க் கில்லை நிலை.
Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch
Aarpilaark Killai Nilai
Who owns no principal, can have no gain of usury; Who lacks support of friends, knows no stability
பல்லார் பகைகொளலிற் பத்தடுத்த தீமைத்தே
நல்லார் தொடர்கை விடல்.
Pallaar Pakai Kolalir Paththatuththa
Theemaiththe Nallaar Thotarkai Vital
Than hate of many foes incurred, works greater woeTen-fold, of worthy men the friendship to forego
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