Avoiding Harmful Associations
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maṉantūyārk keccanaṉ ṟāku miṉantūyārkku / killainaṉ ṟākā viṉai
For the pure-minded, posterity is good; for those whose company is ethically sound, no undertaking fails to become good.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“From true pure-minded men a virtuous race proceeds; / To men of pure companionship belong no evil deeds.”
“The pure of heart shall have a righteous progeny: and everything prospereth unto those that consort with good company.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மனம் தூயார்க்கு எச்சம் நன்றாகும்= மனம் தூயராயினார்க்கு மக்கட்பேறு நன்றாகும்; இனம் தூயார்க்கு நன்று ஆகா வினை இல்லை= இனம் தூயர் ஆயினார்க்கு நன்றாகாத வினை யாதொன்றும் இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar takes எச்சம் specifically as children or posterity: purity of mind is said to make that continuation good, while purity of association is said to help every undertaking turn good. This is an intergenerational ethical claim, not a fertility guarantee, a ranking of family forms, or a denial of each child's agency.