Non-Killing
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
nallā ṟeṉappaṭuva tiyāteṉiṉ yātoṉṟuṅ / kollāmai cūḻu neṟi
If asked what is called the good path, it is the path that thoughtfully guards the practice of not killing any living being.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“You ask, What is the good and perfect way? / 'Tis path of him who studies nought to slay.”
“What is the good way? It is the path that taketh thought how it may save even the smallest of creatures from being killed.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நல் ஆறு எனப்படுவது யாது எனின்= மேற்கதி வீடுபேறுகட்கு நல்ல நெறி என்று சொல்லப்படுவது யாதென்று வினவின்; யாதொன்றும் கொல்லாமை சூழும் நெறி= அஃது யாதோர் உயிரையும் கொல்லாமையாகிய அறத்தினைக் காக்கக் கருதும் நெறி.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar identifies the good path toward higher states and liberation with continually thinking how to guard non-killing toward every life. The emphasis on forethought supports prevention and safer systems; it does not imply that every unforeseen accident is intentional or that threatened people must refuse escape, emergency aid, or proportionate defense.