Learning by Listening
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
celvattuṭ celvañ ceviccelva maccelvañ / celvattu ḷellān talai
Among forms of wealth, wealth gained through attentive listening is wealth indeed; that wealth stands foremost among them all.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Wealth of wealth is wealth acquired be ear attent; / Wealth mid all wealth supremely excellent.”
“The most precious of treasures is the treasure of the ear: verily it is the crown of all kinds of wealth.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
செல்வத்துட் செல்வம் செவிச்செல்வம்= ஒருவற்குச் சிறப்புடைய செல்வமாவது செவியான் வருஞ் செல்வம்; அச்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் தலை= அச்செல்வம் பிற செல்வங்கள் எல்லாவற்றினுந் தலையாகலான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar calls knowledge received through the ear the most distinguished wealth and ranks it above other wealth. The praise concerns receptive learning, not biological hearing or credentials; it must not belittle Deaf people, sign languages, text, assistive technology, material security, or those denied educational access.