Shallow Understanding
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aṟivilā ṉeñcuvan tītal piṟitiyātu / millai peṟuvāṉ ṟavam.
If one lacking sound understanding gives with a glad heart, there is no other cause, says the verse, than the recipient’s merit.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The gift of foolish man, with willing heart bestowed, is nought, / But blessing by receiver's penance bought.”
“When a fool bestoweth a gift of his own free will, it is simply the good fortune of the receiver and nothing else.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவுடையான் நெஞ்சு உவந்து ஈதல்= புல்லறிவுடையான் ஒருவனுக்கு மனம் உவந்து ஒன்று கொடுத்தல் கூடிற்றாயின்; பெறுவான் தவம் பிறிது யாதும் இல்லை= அதற்குக் காரணம் பெறுகின்றவன் நல்வினையே, வேறொன்றும் இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that if a person of shallow understanding happens to give something with a glad heart, the cause is the recipient’s prior good action and nothing else.