Avoiding Forgetfulness
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ariyaveṉ ṟākāta villaipoc cāvāk / karuviyāṟ pōṟṟic ceyiṉ.
No undertaking need remain impossible merely because it is difficult, if it is thoughtfully guarded and performed with a non-forgetting mind as the instrument.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though things are arduous deemed, there's nought may not be won, / When work with mind's unslumbering energy and thought is done.”
“Nothing is impossible to the man who can bring unto his work a mind that is ever wakeful and cautious.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அரிய என்று ஆகாத இல்லை= இவை செய்தற்கு அரியன என்று சொல்லப்பட்டு ஒருவற்கு முடியாத காரியங்கள் இல்லை; பொச்சாவாக் கருவியான் போற்றிச் செயின்= மறவாத மனத்தானே எண்ணிச் செய்யப்பெறின்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that when a person thinks through, safeguards, and performs an undertaking with a non-forgetting mind as the instrument, it need not remain impossible merely because it is called difficult to do.