The Ambassador
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aṟivuru vārāynta kalviyim mūṉṟaṉ / ceṟivuṭaiyāṉ celka viṉaikku.
Let the person in whom natural intelligence, a pleasing or commanding presence, and deeply examined learning converge go on the mission. The appearance standard is classical; modern fitness must never depend on beauty, body, race, disability, or conformity.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Sense, goodly grace, and knowledge exquisite. / Who hath these three for envoy's task is fit.”
“Let that man go on embassies who possesseth intelligence and learning and a commanding presence.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவு= இயற்கையாகிய அறிவும்; உரு= கண்டார் விரும்பும் தோற்றப் பொலிவும்; ஆராய்ந்த கல்வி= பலரோடும் பலகாலும் ஆராயப்பட்ட கல்வியும் என; இம்மூன்றன் செறிவு உடையான்= நன்கு மதித்தற்கேதுவாய இம்மூன்றனது கூட்டத்தையுடையான்; வினைக்குச் செல்க= வேற்று வேந்தரிடைத் தூது வினைக்குச் செல்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar glosses the triad as natural intelligence, an appearance pleasing to those who see the envoy, and learning examined by many over time. The historical courtly appearance ideal should be named but not adopted: modern competence cannot be conditioned on beauty, body, race, disability, or conformity.