Avoiding Fear-Inspiring Rule
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kallārp piṇikkuṅ kaṭuṅkō latuvalla / tillai nilakkup poṟai.
There is no burden upon the earth heavier than a tyrant binding the unlearned to himself as his faction and counsel.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Tyrants with fools their counsels share: / Earth can no heavier burthen bear!”
“The tyranny that yoketh to itself charlatans is the only burden under which the earth groaneth: there is none other beside.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கடுங்கோல் கல்லார்ப்பிணிக்கும்= கடுங்கோலனாய அரசன் நீதிநூன் முதலிய கல்லாதாரைத் தனக்குப் பகுதியாகக் கூட்டாநிற்கும்; அதுவல்லது நிலக்குப் பொறை இல்லை= அக்கூட்டம்அல்லது நிலத்திற்கு மிகையாய பாரம் பிறிது இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that a tyrant gathers to his side people unlearned in works of justice and governance. Nothing else is a greater excess burden upon the earth than that ruler and his ignorant faction.