Couplet: What is the work of virtue? 'Not to kill'; For 'killing' leads to every work of ill English Explanation: Never to destroy life is the sum of all virtuous conduct The destruction of life leads to every evil Transliteration: Aravinai Yaadhenin Kollaamai Koral Piravinai Ellaan Tharum
Couplet: Let those that need partake your meal; guard every-thing that lives; This the chief and sum of lore that hoarded wisdom gives English Explanation: The chief of all (the virtues) which authors have summed up, is the partaking of food that has been shared with others, and the preservation of the mainfold life of other creatures Transliteration: Pakuththuntu Palluyir Ompudhal Noolor Thokuththavatrul Ellaan Thalai
Couplet: Alone, first of goods things, is 'not to slay'; The second is, no untrue word to say English Explanation: Not to destroy life is an incomparably (great) good next to it in goodness ranks freedom from falsehood Transliteration: Ondraaka Nalladhu Kollaamai Matradhan Pinsaarap Poiyaamai Nandru
Couplet: You ask, What is the good and perfect way? 'Tis path of him who studies nought to slay English Explanation: Good path is that which considers how it may avoid killing any creature Transliteration: Nallaaru Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum Kollaamai Soozhum Neri
Couplet: Of those who 'being' dread, and all renounce, the chief are they, Who dreading crime of slaughter, study nought to slay English Explanation: Of all those who, fearing the permanence of earthly births, have abandoned desire, he is the chief who, fearing (the guilt of) murder, considers how he may avoid the destruction of life Transliteration: Nilaianji Neeththaarul Ellaam Kolaianjik Kollaamai Soozhvaan Thalai
Couplet: Ev'n death that life devours, their happy days shall spare, Who law, 'Thou shall not kill', uphold with reverent care English Explanation: Yama, the destroyer of life, will not attack the life of him, who acts under the determination of never destroying life Transliteration: Kollaamai Merkon Tozhukuvaan Vaazhnaalmel Sellaadhu Uyirunnung Kootru
Couplet: Though thine own life for that spared life the price must pay, Take not from aught that lives gift of sweet life away English Explanation: Let no one do that which would destroy the life of another, although he should by so doing, lose his own life Transliteration: Thannuyir Neeppinum Seyyarka Thaanpiridhu Innuyir Neekkum Vinai
Couplet: Though great the gain of good should seem, the wise Will any gain by staughter won despise English Explanation: The advantage which might flow from destroying life in sacrifice, is dishonourable to the wise (who renounced the world), even although it should be said to be productive of great good Transliteration: Nandraakum Aakkam Peridheninum Saandrorkkuk Kondraakum Aakkang Katai
Couplet: Whose trade is 'killing', always vile they show, To minds of them who what is vileness know English Explanation: To minds of them who what is vileness know Transliteration: Kolaivinaiya Raakiya Maakkal Pulaivinaiyar Punmai Therivaa Rakaththu
Couplet: Who lead a loathed life in bodies sorely pained, Are men, the wise declare, by guilt of slaughter stained English Explanation: (The wise) will say that men of diseased bodies, who live in degradation and in poverty, are those who separated the life from the body of animals (in a former birth) Transliteration: Uyir Utampin Neekkiyaar Enpa Seyir Utampin Sellaaththee Vaazhkkai Yavar