The Councillor of State
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
vaṉkaṇ kuṭikāttal kaṟṟaṟita lāḷviṉaiyōvaṉkaṇ kuṭi kāttal kaṟṟu aṟital āḷviṉaiyōṭu / ṭaintuṭaṉ māṇṭa tamaiccu.
Ministerial excellence requires five joined strengths: firmness in action, protection of the people, learned discernment, energetic effort, and the practical competence already described.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“A minister must greatness own of guardian power, determined mind, / Learn'd wisdom, manly effort with the former five combined.”
“Study, resolution, manly exertion, and loving attention to the welfare of the people, these four make along with the last the five qualifications of the Councillor.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வன்கண்= வினைசெய்தற்கண் அசைவின்மையும்; குடிகாத்தல்= குடிகளைக் காத்தலும்; கற்றுஅறிதல்= நீதிநூல்களைக் கற்றுச் செய்வன தவிர்வன அறிதலும்; ஆள்வினை= முயற்சியும்; ஐந்துடன் மாண்டது அமைச்சு= மேற்சொல்லிய அவ்வங்கங்கள் ஐந்துடனே திருந்தவுடையானே அமைச்சனாவான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar names firmness in action, protection of the people, study of ethical texts with discernment of what to do and avoid, and energetic effort. Joined to the preceding ministerial competence, these make five qualities; excellence requires all five.