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வெருவந்த செய்யாமை: Absence of Terrorism
About this chapter
வெருவந்த செய்யாமை, literally not doing what causes fear, is about rulers who frighten their subjects with harsh punishment or harsh words. The chapter lays out how justice should be done without terror.
Kural 561 describes a king as one who investigates properly and punishes in a way that prevents repetition. Kural 562 gives the chapter's best-known advice: raise the rod severely, but bring it down gently. Kural 563 says a cruel ruler who makes his people fear him will certainly and quickly be ruined, and Kural 564 adds that a king spoken of as cruel will quickly lose his life. Kural 565 and Kural 566 look at manner: a king who is hard to reach, stern in face and harsh in speech has wealth that will not last. Kural 567 says harsh words and excessive punishments are a file wearing away a king's power. Kural 568 warns against leaving everything to others without thought and then raging when it goes wrong. Kural 569 says that a king with no fortress will be frightened and perish in time of war, and Kural 570 closes with the claim that the earth bears no heavier burden than ignorant men serving a cruel ruler.
Kural 562 is the one to learn. Kural 567 is the most useful for officials, since it links tone and punishment to loss of authority.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, as it describes fair and proportionate administration of justice.
The 10 kurals of வெருவந்த செய்யாமை
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.
தக்காங்கு நாடித் தலைச்செல்லா வண்ணத்தால்
ஒத்தாங்கு ஒறுப்பது வேந்து.
Thakkaangu Naatith Thalaichchellaa Vannaththaal
Oththaangu Oruppadhu Vendhu
Who punishes, investigation made in due degree, So as to stay advance of crime, a king is he
கடிதோச்சி மெல்ல எறிக நெடிதாக்கம்
நீங்காமை வேண்டு பவர்.
Katidhochchi Mella Erika Netidhaakkam
Neengaamai Ventu Pavar
For length of days with still increasing joys on Heav'n who call, Should raise the rod with brow severe, but let it gently fall
வெருவந்த செய்தொழுகும் வெங்கோல னாயின்
ஒருவந்தம் ஒல்லைக் கெடும்.
Veruvandha Seydhozhukum Vengola Naayin
Oruvandham Ollaik Ketum
Where subjects dread of cruel wrongs endure, Ruin to unjust king is swift and sure
இறைகடியன் என்றுரைக்கும் இன்னாச்சொல் வேந்தன்
உறைகடுகி ஒல்லைக் கெடும்.
Iraikatiyan Endruraikkum Innaachchol Vendhan
Uraikatuki Ollaik Ketum
'Ah! cruel is our king', where subjects sadly say, His age shall dwindle, swift his joy of life decay
அருஞ்செவ்வி இன்னா முகத்தான் பெருஞ்செல்வம்
பேஎய்கண் டன்னது உடைத்து.
Arunjevvi Innaa Mukaththaan Perunjelvam
Peeykan Tannadhu Utaiththu
Whom subjects scarce may see, of harsh forbidding countenance; His ample wealth shall waste, blasted by demon's glance
கடுஞ்சொல்லன் கண்ணிலன் ஆயின் நெடுஞ்செல்வம்
நீடின்றி ஆங்கே கெடும்.
Katunjollan Kannilan Aayin Netunjelvam
Neetindri Aange Ketum
The tyrant, harsh in speach and hard of eye, His ample joy, swift fading, soon shall die
கடுமொழியும் கையிகந்த தண்டமும் வேந்தன்
அடுமுரண் தேய்க்கும் அரம்.
Katumozhiyum Kaiyikandha Thantamum Vendhan
Atumuran Theykkum Aram
Harsh words and punishments severe beyond the right, Are file that wears away the monarch's conquering might
இனத்தாற்றி எண்ணாத வேந்தன் சினத்தாற்றிச்
சீறிற் சிறுகும் திரு.
Inaththaatri Ennaadha Vendhan Sinaththaatrich
Cheerir Sirukum Thiru
Who leaves the work to those around, and thinks of it no more; If he in wrathful mood reprove, his prosperous days are o'er
செருவந்த போழ்திற் சிறைசெய்யா வேந்தன்
வெருவந்து வெய்து கெடும்.
Seruvandha Pozhdhir Siraiseyyaa Vendhan
Veruvandhu Veydhu Ketum
Who builds no fort whence he may foe defy, In time of war shall fear and swiftly die
கல்லார்ப் பிணிக்கும் கடுங்கோல் அதுவல்லது
இல்லை நிலக்குப் பொறை.
Kallaarp Pinikkum Katungol Adhuvalladhu
Illai Nilakkup Porai
Tyrants with fools their counsels share:Earth can no heavier burthen bear
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