Non-Killing
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naṉṟāku mākkam periteṉiṉuñ cāṉṟōrkkuk / koṉṟāku mākkaṅ kaṭai
Even if the gain said to be good is great, gain that comes through killing is base to the morally mature.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though great the gain of good should seem, the wise / Will any gain by staughter won despise.”
“They may say, Sacrifices gain for a man many blessings: but to the pure in heart the blessings that are earned by killing are an abomination.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நன்று ஆகும் ஆக்கம் பெரிது எனினும்= தேவர் பொருட்டு வேள்விக்கட் கொன்றால் இன்பமிகும் செல்வம் பெரிதாம் என்று இல்வாழ்வார்க்குக் கூறப்பட்டதாயினும்; சான்றோர்க்குக் கொன்று ஆகும் ஆக்கம் கடை= துறவான் அமைந்தார்க்கு ஓருயிரைக் கொல்லவருஞ் செல்வம் கடை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar addresses sacrificial teaching that promises great heavenly prosperity from killing and says the morally mature regard such gain as base. The claim targets benefit purchased through killing; modern response should examine institutions and alternatives without stigmatizing poor workers, necessary diets, good-faith emergency care, or unavoidable harm.