Destiny
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iruvē ṟulakat tiyaṟkai tiruvēṟu / teḷḷiya larātalum vēṟu
The world's nature has two distinct courses: the destiny for wealth is one, and becoming clear-minded is another.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Two fold the fashion of the world: some live in fortune's light; / While other some have souls in wisdom's radiance bright.”
“There are two things in the world which have nothing in common: Riches is one thing and Saintliness is quite another.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உலகத்து இயற்கை இரு வேறு= உலகத்து ஊழினாய இயற்கை இரண்டு கூறு; திருவேறு தெள்ளியர் ஆதலும் வேறு= ஆதலாற் செல்வமுடையர் ஆதலும் வேறு, அறிவுடையர் ஆதலும் வேறு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The commentary separates the destiny of wealth from the destiny of clear understanding. The verse therefore resists treating wealth as proof of intelligence or virtue, though its explanation remains classical fate theory.