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கொடுங்கோன்மை: The Cruel Sceptre
About this chapter
கொடுங்கோன்மை, the cruel sceptre, is the direct opposite of the previous chapter. It describes a ruler who acts unjustly and oppresses his people, and spells out what that costs him and the land.
Kural 551 opens with the claim that such a king is more cruel than a murderer. Kural 552 compares his demands for money to a robber standing with a weapon and saying "give", and Kural 553 says that a king who does not examine wrongs and dispense justice daily sees his country decline daily. Kural 554 warns that a king who perverts justice without thinking loses his wealth and his people together. Kural 555 gives the chapter's strongest image: the tears of people who cannot bear their sufferings become a saw that wears away his wealth. Kural 556 says that just rule gives permanence to kings, and without it their fame will not last. Kural 557 compares a king without kindness to a world without rain, and Kural 558 says wealth brings more sorrow than poverty under an unjust king. Kural 559 and Kural 560 add that injustice is linked to withheld rain, failing cows and forgotten learning.
Kural 555 is the one to learn first. Kural 551 is the most direct condemnation.
For the syllabus, it is one of the chapters most often linked to governance questions, and it should be read with Chapter 55.
The 10 kurals of கொடுங்கோன்மை
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.
கொலைமேற்கொண் டாரிற் கொடிதே அலைமேற்கொண்டு
அல்லவை செய்தொழுகும் வேந்து.
Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu
Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu
Than one who plies the murderer's trade, more cruel is the kingWho all injustice works, his subjects harassing
வேலொடு நின்றான் இடுவென் றதுபோலும்
கோலொடு நின்றான் இரவு.
Velotu Nindraan Ituven Radhupolum
Kolotu Nindraan Iravu
As 'Give' the robber cries with lance uplift, So kings with sceptred hand implore a gift
நாடொறும் நாடி முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன்
நாடொறும் நாடு கெடும்.
Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa Mannavan
Naatorum Naatu Ketum
Who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor justly rules, that kingDoth day by day his realm to ruin bring
கூழுங் குடியும் ஒருங்கிழக்கும் கோல்கோடிச்
சூழாது செய்யும் அரசு.
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich
Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu
Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse, At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose
அல்லற்பட்டு ஆற்றாது அழுதகண் ணீரன்றே
செல்வத்தைத் தேய்க்கும் படை
Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan Neerandre
Selvaththaith Theykkum Patai
His people's tears of sorrow past endurance, are not theySharp instruments to wear the monarch's wealth away
மன்னர்க்கு மன்னுதல் செங்கோன்மை அஃதின்றேல்
மன்னாவாம் மன்னர்க் கொளி.
Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai Aqdhindrel
Mannaavaam Mannark Koli
To rulers' rule stability is sceptre right; When this is not, quenched is the rulers' light
துளியின்மை ஞாலத்திற்கு எற்றற்றே வேந்தன்
அளியின்மை வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.
Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan
Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku
As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath, Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe
இன்மையின் இன்னாது உடைமை முறைசெய்யா
மன்னவன் கோற்கீழ்ப் படின்.
Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai Muraiseyyaa
Mannavan Korkeezhp Patin
To poverty it adds a sharper sting, To live beneath the sway of unjust king
முறைகோடி மன்னவன் செய்யின் உறைகோடி
ஒல்லாது வானம் பெயல்.
Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti
Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal
Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain, The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain
ஆபயன் குன்றும் அறுதொழிலோர் நூல்மறப்பர்
காவலன் காவான் எனின்.
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar
Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin
Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry, And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie
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