The Councillor of State
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matinuṭpa nūlō ṭuṭaiyārk katinuṭpam / yāvuḷa muṉṉiṟ pavai.
What exceedingly subtle scheme can stand before a counsellor whose natural acuity is joined with learned knowledge?
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“When native subtilty combines with sound scholastic lore, / 'Tis subtilty surpassing all, which nothing stands before.”
“What is there that is too subtle for men who add knowledge of books unto natural intelligence?”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மதி நுட்பம் நூலோடு உடையார்க்கு= இயற்கையாகிய நுண்ணறிவைச் செயற்கையாகிய நூலறிவோடு உடையராய அமைச்சர்க்கு; அதி நுட்பம் முன் நிற்பவை யா உள= மிக்க நுட்பத்தையுடைய சூழ்ச்சிகளாய் முன்னிற்பன யாவை உள?
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar asks what extremely subtle scheme could remain standing before ministers who possess natural acuity together with acquired learning. The rhetorical answer is that none can withstand this joined intelligence.