Avoiding Fear-Inspiring Rule
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kaṭitōcci mella veṟika neṭitākka / nīṅkāmai vēṇṭu pavar.
Those who want their prosperity to endure should raise the rod swiftly, yet let it fall without excess.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“For length of days with still increasing joys on Heav'n who call, / Should raise the rod with brow severe, but let it gently fall.”
“Those that desire that their power shall last, let them brandish the rod smartly but lay it on soft.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கடிது ஓச்சி= அவ்வொத்தாங்கு ஒறுத்தல் தொடங்குங்கால் அளவிறப்பச் செய்வார்போல் தொடங்கி; மெல்ல எறிக= செய்யுங்கால் அளவிறவாமல் செய்க; ஆக்கம் நெடிது நீங்காமை வேண்டுபவர்= ஆக்கம் தங்கண் நெடுங்காலம் நிற்றலை வேண்டுவார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that those who want prosperity to remain with them may begin punishment with an appearance of great severity, but when carrying it out they must not exceed the proper measure.