Learning by Listening
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
cevikkuṇa villāta pōḻtu ciṟitu / vayiṟṟukku mīyap paṭum
Only when there is no nourishment for the ear should a little nourishment be given to the stomach.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“When 'tis no longer time the listening ear to feed / With trifling dole of food supply the body's need.”
“Even unto the stomach some food will be offered when there is no more food to be offered to the ear.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
செவிக்கு உணவு இல்லாத போழ்து= செவிக்கு உணவாகிய கேள்வி இல்லாத பொழுது; வயிற்றுககும் சிறிது ஈயப்படும்= வயிற்றுக்குஞ் சிறிது உணவு இடப்படும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar reads the couplet as a deliberately extreme ranking: when learned discourse is unavailable, only then is a small amount given to the stomach. Preserve the hyperbole without using it to withhold food, glorify hunger, shame appetite or body size, intensify eating disorders, or exclude people who receive learning through non-auditory forms.