Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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iḷaiya riṉamuṟaiya reṉṟikaḻār niṉṟa / voḷiyō ṭoḻukap paṭum.
Do not despise the ruler as younger or related; conduct yourself in keeping with the standing dignity of kingship.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Say not, 'He's young, my kinsman,' despising thus your king; / But reverence the glory kingly state doth bring.”
“Trifle not with the prince because he is young or because he is thy kinsman or connection: but walk with awe before the light that is within him.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இளையர் இன முறையர் என்று இகழார்= இவர் எம்மின் இளையர் என்றும், எமக்கு இன்னமுறையினை உடையரென்றும் அரசரை அவமதியாது; நின்ற ஒளியோடு ஒழுகப்படும்= அவர் மாட்டு நின்ற ஒளியோடு பொருந்த ஒழுகுதல் செயப்படும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that one should not despise the ruler as younger or related, but should conduct oneself in keeping with the standing radiance and dignity of kingship.