Couplet: Than one who plies the murderer's trade, more cruel is the king Who all injustice works, his subjects harassing English Explanation: The king who gives himself up to oppression and acts unjustly (towards his subjects) is more cruel than the man who leads the life of a murderer Transliteration: Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu
Couplet: As 'Give' the robber cries with lance uplift, So kings with sceptred hand implore a gift English Explanation: The request (for money) of him who holds the sceptre is like the word of a highway robber who stands with a weapon in hand and says "give up your wealth" Transliteration: Velotu Nindraan Ituven Radhupolum Kolotu Nindraan Iravu
Couplet: Who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor justly rules, that king Doth day by day his realm to ruin bring English Explanation: The country of the king who does not daily examine into the wrongs done and distribute justice, will daily fall to ruin Transliteration: Naatorum Naati Muraiseyyaa Mannavan Naatorum Naatu Ketum
Couplet: Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse, At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose English Explanation: The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects Transliteration: Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu
Couplet: His people's tears of sorrow past endurance, are not they Sharp instruments to wear the monarch's wealth away English Explanation: Will not the tears, shed by a people who cannot endure the oppression which they suffer (from their king), become a saw to waste away his wealth ? Transliteration: Allarpattu Aatraadhu Azhudhakan Neerandre Selvaththaith Theykkum Patai
Couplet: To rulers' rule stability is sceptre right; When this is not, quenched is the rulers' light English Explanation: Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance Transliteration: Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai Aqdhindrel Mannaavaam Mannark Koli
Couplet: As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath, Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe English Explanation: As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness Transliteration: Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku
Couplet: To poverty it adds a sharper sting, To live beneath the sway of unjust king English Explanation: Property gives more sorrow than poverty, to those who live under the sceptre of a king without justice Transliteration: Inmaiyin Innaadhu Utaimai Muraiseyyaa Mannavan Korkeezhp Patin
Couplet: Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain, The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain English Explanation: If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers Transliteration: Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal
Couplet: Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry, And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie English Explanation: If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas Transliteration: Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin