Following a Wife's Direction
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aṟaviṉaiyu māṉṟa poruḷum piṟaviṉaiyum / peṇṇēval ceyvārka ṇil.
Virtuous action, fitting wealth-producing action, and every other pleasure-producing action are absent in those who live by carrying out their wife's commands.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“No virtuous deed, no seemly wealth, no pleasure, rests / With them who live obedient to their wives' behests.”
“Behold the men that submit to petticoat government: neither righteousness nor wealth nor even the joy of love will be found with them.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறவினையும்= அறச்செயலும்; ஆன்ற பொருளும்= அது முடித்தற்கு ஏதுவாய பொருட் செயலும்; பிறவினையும்= அவ்விரண்டின் வேறாய இன்பச் செயல்களும்; பெண் ஏவல் செய்வார்கண் இல்= தம்மனையாள் ஏவல் செய்வார்மாட்டு உளவாகா.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar distinguishes three domains: virtuous action; productive or material action that enables virtue to be completed; and pleasure-producing activities apart from the first two. The classical verse says all three are absent in people who act at their wife’s bidding. This is a patriarchal marital premise, not a modern hierarchy to endorse. Respectful listening, equal consultation, and compromise are healthy. The transferable concern is surrendering agency across ethics, livelihood, and legitimate enjoyment; coercive control is the controller’s fault, and the targeted person deserves safety and restored choice.