The Majesty of a King
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kāṭcik keḷiyaṉ kaṭuñcolla ṉallaṉēl / mīkkūṟum maṉṉaṉ nilam
If a ruler is easy to meet for those seeking justice or relief and is not harsh in speech, the world will praise that ruler's land above others.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Where king is easy of access, where no harsh word repels, / That land's high praises every subject swells.”
“If the prince is accessible to all his subjects and is never harsh of word, his kingdom will be esteemed above every other.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
காட்சிக்கு எளியன்= முறைவேண்டினார்க்கும் குறைவேண்டினார்க்கும் காண்டற்கு எளியனாய்; கடுஞ்சொல்லன் அல்லனேல்= யாவர்மாட்டும் கடுஞ்சொல்லன் அல்லனுமாயின்; மன்னன் நிலம் மீக்கூறும்= அம்மன்னனது நிலத்தை எல்லா நிலங்களினும் உயர்த்துக்கூறும் 'உலகம்' என்றவாறு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar requires the king to be accessible to people seeking remedy or presenting grievances and not harsh toward anyone; the world then praises his country. Modern accessibility means open channels, language and disability access, timely response, and freedom from retaliation—not staged visibility, personal favour, or compulsory deference.