Not Fearing the Assembly
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pakaiyakattuc cāvā reḷiya rariya / ravaiyakat tañcā tavar.
Many may stand firm even before death in battle; rarer are those who can enter a discerning assembly and speak without fear.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Many encountering death in face of foe will hold their ground; / Who speak undaunted in the council hall are rarely found.”
“They are common, those that can brave death on the battlefield: but they are rare who can face an audience without trembling.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பகையகத்துச் சாவார் எளியர்= பகையிடை அஞ்சாது புக்குச் சாவவல்லார் உலகத்துப் பலர்; அவையகத்து அஞ்சாதவர் அரியர்= அவையிடை அஞ்சாது புக்குச் சொல்லவல்லார் சிலர்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar contrasts the many who can enter battle without fear even unto death with the few who can enter an assembly and speak without fear.