Couplet: To bear due penitential pains, while no offence He causes others, is the type of 'penitence' English Explanation: The nature of religious discipline consists, in the endurance (by the ascetic) of the sufferings which it brings on himself, and in abstaining from giving pain to others Transliteration: Utranoi Nondral Uyirkkurukan Seyyaamai Atre Thavaththir Kuru
Couplet: To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence'; Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence English Explanation: Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now) Transliteration: Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum Adhanai Aqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu
Couplet: Have other men forgotten 'penitence' who strive To earn for penitents the things by which they live English Explanation: It is to provide food etc, for the ascetics who have abandoned (the desire of earthly possessions) that other persons have forgotten (to practise) austerity ? Transliteration: Thurandhaarkkuth Thuppuravu Venti Marandhaarkol Matrai Yavarkal Thavam
Couplet: Destruction to his foes, to friends increase of joy The 'penitent' can cause, if this his thoughts employ English Explanation: If (the ascetic) desire the destruction of his enemies, or the aggrandizement of his friends, it will be effected by (the power of) his austerities Transliteration: Onnaarth Theralum Uvandhaarai Aakkalum Ennin Thavaththaan Varum
Couplet: That what they wish may, as they wish, be won, By men on earth are works of painful 'penance' done English Explanation: Religious dislipline is practised in this world, because it secures the attainment of whatever one may wish to enjoy (in the world to come) Transliteration: Ventiya Ventiyaang Keydhalaal Seydhavam Eentu Muyalap Patum
Couplet: Who works of 'penance' do, their end attain, Others in passion's net enshared, toil but in vain English Explanation: Those discharge their duty who perform austerities; all others accomplish their own destruction, through the entanglement of the desire (of riches and sensual pleasure) Transliteration: Thavanj Cheyvaar Thangarumanj Cheyvaarmar Rallaar Avanjeyvaar Aasaiyut Pattu
Couplet: The hotter glows the fining fire, the gold the brighter shines; The pain of penitence, like fire, the soul of man refines English Explanation: Just as gold is purified as heated in the fire, will those shine, who have endured the burning of pain (in frequent austerities) Transliteration: Sutachchutarum Ponpol Olivitum Thunpanjjch Utachchuta Norkir Pavarkku
Couplet: Who gains himself in utter self-control, Him worships every other living soul English Explanation: All other creatures will worship him who has attained the control of his own soul Transliteration: Thannuyir Thaanarap Petraanai Enaiya Mannuyi Rellaan Thozhum
Couplet: E'en over death the victory he may gain, If power by penance won his soul obtain English Explanation: Those who have attained the power which religious discipline confers, will be able also to pass the limit of Yama, (the God of death) Transliteration: Kootram Kudhiththalum Kaikootum Notralin Aatral Thalaippat Tavarkkul
Couplet: The many all things lack! The cause is plain, The 'penitents' are few The many shun such pain English Explanation: Because there are few who practise austerity and many who do not, there are many destitute and few rich in this world Transliteration: Ilarpala Raakiya Kaaranam Norpaar Silarpalar Nolaa Thavar