Manly Exertion
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iṉpam viḻaiyāṉ viṉaiviḻaivāṉ ṟaṉkēḷir / tuṉpan tuṭaittūṉṟun tūṇ.
One who seeks the work to be done rather than private pleasure becomes a supporting pillar, removing the suffering of those close to them.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight, / He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might.”
“The man who loveth not pleasure but loveth work is a pillar of strength unto his friends and will wipe away their tears of grief.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இன்பம் விழையான் வினை விழைவான்= தனக்கு இன்பத்தை விரும்பானாகி, வினை முடித்தலையே விரும்புவான்; தன் கேளிர் துன்பம் துடைத்து ஊன்றும் தூண்= தன் கேளிராகிய பாரத்தின் துன்பத்தினை நீக்கி, அதனைத் தாங்கும் தூணாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that the person who prefers the work that needs doing to private enjoyment removes the suffering of relatives and stands as a support against further hardship. This is not a command to erase rest, health, consent, or personal boundaries. It praises responsible, shared action that addresses a concrete burden carried by one's close circle.