Avoiding Harmful Associations
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maṉanalatti ṉāku maṟumaimaṟ ṟaḵtu / miṉanalatti ṉēmāp puṭaittu
Parimelazhagar says that goodness of mind leads to well-being in a future life, and that this good is further strengthened by sound association.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Although to mental goodness joys of other life belong, / Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.”
“Virtue leadeth unto heaven: and the company of the good steadieth a man in the practice thereof.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மன நலத்தின் மறுமை ஆகும்= ஒருவற்கு மனநன்மையானே மறுமை இன்பம் உண்டாம்; மற்று அஃதும் இன நலத்தின் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து= அதற்கு அச் சிறப்புத்தானும் இனநன்மையான் வலி பெறுதலை உடைத்து.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar presents a theological teaching: goodness of mind leads to joy in a future life, and good association reinforces that benefit. It is an attributed doctrine, not an empirical guarantee or a reason to blame suffering on belief, ancestry, or companions.