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தெரிந்து வினையாடல்: Selection and Employment
About this chapter
தெரிந்து வினையாடல், selection and employment, follows the chapter on choosing people to trust and moves to the next step, giving them the right work. It is about matching the person to the task and then supervising fairly.
Kural 511 says a ruler should employ someone who weighs good and evil and chooses the good. Kural 512 names the skills wanted: someone who can increase revenue, create prosperity and prevent obstacles. Kural 513 lists four qualities to look for in the person chosen: love, knowledge, a clear mind and freedom from covetousness. Kural 514 admits that even after every test, many people change once they are given a particular work. Kural 515 says that work must go to a person of wisdom and patient effort, not to a favourite. Kural 516 gives a three-part checklist, to consider the worker, the work and the time. Kural 517 says that once the right person and means are settled, the matter should be left in his hands, and Kural 518 adds that each person should be given the work for which he is suited. Kural 520 closes by advising daily examination of the conduct of those who serve, so that the world stays straight.
Kural 516 and Kural 518 are the most useful, and Kural 520 states the point of accountability.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, as it describes the principles of public appointment and supervision.
The 10 kurals of தெரிந்து வினையாடல்
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.
நன்மையும் தீமையும் நாடி நலம்புரிந்த
தன்மையான் ஆளப் படும்.
Nanmaiyum Theemaiyum Naati Nalampurindha
Thanmaiyaan Aalap Patum
Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy; Such man of virtuous mood should king employ
வாரி பெருக்கி வளம்படுத்து உற்றவை
ஆராய்வான் செய்க வினை.
Vaari Perukki Valampatuththu Utravai
Aaraaivaan Seyka Vinai
Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o'er the land, Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman's hand
அன்பறிவு தேற்றம் அவாவின்மை இந்நான்கும்
நன்குடையான் கட்டே தெளிவு.
Anparivu Thetram Avaavinmai Innaankum
Nankutaiyaan Katte Thelivu
A loyal love with wisdom, clearness, mind from avarice free; Who hath these four good gifts should ever trusted be
எனைவகையான் தேறியக் கண்ணும் வினைவகையான்
வேறாகும் மாந்தர் பலர்.
Enaivakaiyaan Theriyak Kannum Vinaivakaiyaan
Veraakum Maandhar Palar
Even when tests of every kind are multiplied, Full many a man proves otherwise, by action tried
அறிந்தாற்றிச் செய்கிற்பாற்கு அல்லால் வினைதான்
சிறந்தானென்று ஏவற்பாற் றன்று.
Arindhaatrich Cheykirpaarku Allaal Vinaidhaan
Sirandhaanendru Evarpaar Randru
No specious fav'rite should the king's commission bear, But he that knows, and work performs with patient care
செய்வானை நாடி வினைநாடிக் காலத்தோடு
எய்த உணர்ந்து செயல்.
Seyvaanai Naati Vinainaatik Kaalaththotu
Eydha Unarndhu Seyal
Let king first ask, 'Who shall the deed perform?' and 'What the deed?'Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed
இதனை இதனால் இவன்முடிக்கும் என்றாய்ந்து
அதனை அவன்கண் விடல்.
Ithanai Ithanaal Ivanmutikkum Endraaindhu
Adhanai Avankan Vital
'This man, this work shall thus work out,' let thoughtful king command; Then leave the matter wholly in his servant's hand
வினைக்குரிமை நாடிய பின்றை அவனை
அதற்குரிய னாகச் செயல்.
Vinaik Kurimai Naatiya Pindrai
Avanai Adharkuriya Naakach Cheyal
As each man's special aptitude is known, Bid each man make that special work his own
வினைக்கண் வினையுடையான் கேண்மைவே றாக
நினைப்பானை நீங்கும் திரு.
Vinaikkan Vinaiyutaiyaan Kenmaive Raaka
Ninaippaanai Neengum Thiru
Fortune deserts the king who ill can bear, Informal friendly ways of men his tolls who share
நாடோறும் நாடுக மன்னன் வினைசெய்வான்
கோடாமை கோடா துலகு.
Naatorum Naatuka Mannan Vinaiseyvaan
Kotaamai Kotaa Thulaku
Let king search out his servants' deeds each day; When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way
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