Couplet: Benevolence high birth, the courtesy kings love:- These qualities the envoy of a king approve English Explanation: The qualification of an ambassador are affection (for his relations) a fitting birth, and the possession of attributes pleasing to royalty Transliteration: Anputaimai Aandra Kutippiraththal Vendhavaam Panputaimai Thoodhuraippaan Panpu
Couplet: Love, knowledge, power of chosen words, three things, Should he possess who speaks the words of kings English Explanation: Love (to his sovereign), knowledge (of his affairs), and a discriminating power of speech (before other sovereigns) are the three sine qua non qualifications of an ambassador Transliteration: Anparivu Aaraaindha Solvanmai Thoodhuraippaarkku Indri Yamaiyaadha Moondru
Couplet: Mighty in lore amongst the learned must he be, Midst jav'lin-bearing kings who speaks the words of victory English Explanation: To be powerful in politics among those who are learned (in ethics) is the character of him who speaks Transliteration: Noolaarul Noolvallan Aakudhal Velaarul Vendri Vinaiyuraippaan Panpu
Couplet: Sense, goodly grace, and knowledge exquisite Who hath these three for envoy's task is fit English Explanation: He may go on a mission (to foreign rulers) who has combined in him all these three viz, (natural) sense, an attractive bearing and well-tried learning Transliteration: Arivuru Vaaraaindha Kalviim Moondran Serivutaiyaan Selka Vinaikku
Couplet: In terms concise, avoiding wrathful speech, who utters pleasant word, An envoy he who gains advantage for his lord English Explanation: He is an ambassador who (in the presence of foreign rulers) speaks briefly, avoids harshness, talks so as to make them smile, and thus brings good (to his own sovereign) Transliteration: Thokach Chollith Thoovaadha Neekki Nakachcholli Nandri Payappadhaan Thoodhu
Couplet: An envoy meet is he, well-learned, of fearless eye Who speaks right home, prepared for each emergency English Explanation: He is an ambassador who having studied (politics) talks impressively, is not afraid of angry looks, and knows (to employ) the art suited to the time Transliteration: Katrukkan Anjaan Selachchollik Kaalaththaal Thakkadhu Arivadhaam Thoodhu
Couplet: He is the best who knows what's due, the time considered well, The place selects, then ponders long ere he his errand tell English Explanation: He is chief (among ambassadors) who understands the proper decorum (before foreign princes), seeks the (proper) occasion, knows the (most suitable) place, and delivers his message after (due) Transliteration: Katanarindhu Kaalang Karudhi Itanarindhu Enni Uraippaan Thalai
Couplet: Integrity, resources, soul determined, truthfulness Who rightly speaks his message must these marks possess English Explanation: The qualifications of him who faithfully delivers his (sovereign's) message are purity, the support (of foreign ministers), and boldness, with truthfulness in addition to the (aforesaid) three Transliteration: Thooimai Thunaimai Thunivutaimai Immoondrin Vaaimai Vazhiyuraippaan Panpu
Couplet: His faltering lips must utter no unworthy thing, Who stands, with steady eye, to speak the mandates of his king English Explanation: He alone is fit to communicate (his sovereign's) reply, who possesses the firmness not to utter even inadvertently what may reflect discredit (on the latter) Transliteration: Vitumaatram Vendharkku Uraippaan Vatumaatram Vaaiseraa Vanka Navan
Couplet: Death to the faithful one his embassy may bring; To envoy gains assured advantage for his king English Explanation: He is the ambassador who fearlessly seeks his sovereign's good though it should cost him his life (to deliver his message) Transliteration: Irudhi Payappinum Enjaadhu Iraivarku Urudhi Payappadhaam Thoodhu