Lack of Learning
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nuṇmā ṇuḻaipula millā ṉeḻiṉala / maṇmāṇ puṉaipāvai yaṟṟu
The physical beauty of a person without subtle, distinguished, penetrating learning is, the verse says, like the beauty of an ornamented clay figure.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Who lack the power of subtle, large, and penetrating sense, / Like puppet, decked with ornaments of clay, their beauty's vain pretence.”
“Behold the man whose understanding hath not been penetrated by the Grand and the Subtle: the comeliness of his person is no better than the beauty of an image of clay.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நுண் மாண் நுழை புலம் இல்லான் எழில் நலம்= நுண்ணிதாய் மாட்சிமைப்பட்டுப் பல நூல்களினும் சென்ற அறிவு இல்லாதவனுடைய எழுச்சியும் அழகும்; மண் மாண் புனைபாவை அற்று= சுதையான் மாட்சிமைப்படப் புனைந்த பாவையுடைய எழுச்சியும் அழகும் போலும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar compares beauty without subtle, distinguished knowledge penetrating many works to an ornamented clay figure. This severe appearance metaphor must not be used to judge bodies, disability, gender, or anyone's dignity.