Just Rule
.
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
iṟaikākkum vaiyaka mellā mavaṉai / muṟaikākkum muṭṭāc ceyiṉ.
The ruler protects the whole world; just order protects the ruler, if he maintains it without obstruction or lapse.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The king all the whole realm of earth protects; / And justice guards the king who right respects.”
“The prince is the protector of all his people: and him his sceptre shall guard, provided he alloweth it not ever to lean to either side.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வையகம் எல்லாம் இறை காக்கும்= வையகத்தை எல்லாம் அரசன் காக்கும்; அவனை முறை காக்கும்= அவன்தன்னை அவனது செங்கோலே காக்கும்; முட்டாச் செயின்= அதனை முட்டவந்துழியும் முட்டாமற் செலுத்துவானாயின்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that the ruler protects the whole world, while the just order he administers protects him. The condition is that he must continue carrying out that order without letting obstruction or pressure interrupt it.