Couplet: The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good, Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood English Explanation: The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire Transliteration: Ozhukkaththu Neeththaar Perumai Vizhuppaththu Ventum Panuval Thunivu
Couplet: As counting those that from the earth have passed away, 'Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say English Explanation: To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead Transliteration: Thurandhaar Perumai Thunaikkoorin Vaiyaththu Irandhaarai Ennikkon Tatru
Couplet: Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed, In this world take their stand, in virtue's robe arrayed English Explanation: The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others) Transliteration: Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram Poontaar Perumai Pirangitru Ulaku
Couplet: He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains, Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains English Explanation: He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven Transliteration: Uranennum Thottiyaan Oraindhum Kaappaan Varanennum Vaippirkor Viththu
Couplet: Their might who have destroyed 'the five', shall soothly tell Indra, the lord of those in heaven's wide realms that dwell English Explanation: Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses Transliteration: Aindhaviththaan Aatral Akalvisumpu Laarkomaan Indhirane Saalung Kari
Couplet: Things hard in the doing will great men do; Things hard in the doing the mean eschew English Explanation: The great will do those things which is difficult to be done; but the mean cannot do them Transliteration: Seyarkariya Seyvaar Periyar Siriyar Seyarkariya Seykalaa Thaar
Couplet: Taste, light, touch, sound, and smell: who knows the way Of all the five,- the world submissive owns his sway English Explanation: The world is within the knowledge of him who knows the properties of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell Transliteration: Suvaioli Ooruosai Naatramendru Aindhin Vakaidherivaan Katte Ulaku
Couplet: The might of men whose word is never vain, The 'secret word' shall to the earth proclaim English Explanation: The hidden words of the men whose words are full of effect, will shew their greatness to the world Transliteration: Niraimozhi Maandhar Perumai Nilaththu Maraimozhi Kaatti Vitum
Couplet: The wrath 'tis hard e'en for an instant to endure, Of those who virtue's hill have scaled, and stand secure English Explanation: The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted Transliteration: Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar Vekuli Kanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu
Couplet: Towards all that breathe, with seemly graciousness adorned they live; And thus to virtue's sons the name of 'Anthanar' men give English Explanation: The virtuous are truly called Anthanar; because in their conduct towards all creatures they are clothed in kindness Transliteration: Andhanar Enpor Aravormar Revvuyir Kkum Sendhanmai Poontozhuka Laan