Just Rule
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ōrntukaṇ ṇōṭā tiṟaipurin tiyārmāṭṭun / tērntucey vaḵtē muṟai.
The right course is to investigate an offence, show no favoritism to anyone, remain impartial, consult those learned in the law about the prescribed penalty, and impose only that measure.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Search out, to no one favour show; with heart that justice loves / Consult, then act; this is the rule that right approves.”
“Deliberate well and lean not to either side: be impartial and consult with the men of law: that is the way to administer justice.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஓர்ந்து= தன்கீழ் வாழ்வார் குற்றஞ்செய்தால் அக்குற்றத்தை நாடி; யார்மாட்டும் கண்ணோடாது= யாவர்மாட்டும் கண்ணோடாது; இறை புரிந்து= நடுவுநிலைமையைப் பொருந்தி; தேர்ந்து= அக்குற்றத்திற்குச் சொல்லிய தண்டத்தை நூலோரோடும் ஆராய்ந்து; செய்வஃதே முறை= அவ்வளவிற்றாகச் செய்வதே முறையாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that when an offence by someone living under a ruler is at issue, the ruler must first investigate it. Showing favor to no one, the ruler should remain impartial and consult those learned in the governing texts about the penalty prescribed for the established offence. The proper course is to impose only that measured penalty.