Begging
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īvārkaṇ ṇeṉṉuṇṭān tōṟṟa mirantukōḷ / mēvā rilāak kaṭai.
What would there be to show in those who give, when there is nobody who cares to come and ask?
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“What glory will there be to men of generous soul, / When none are found to love the askers' role?”
“Where would be the glory of men of a liberal hand if there were none in the world to beg of them?”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இரந்துகோள் மேவார் இலாக்கடை= அவர்பால் சென்று ஒன்றனை இரந்துகோடலை விரும்புவார் இல்வழி; ஈவார்கண் தோற்றம் என் உண்டாம்= கொடுப்பார்மாட்டு, என்ன புகழ் உண்டாம்? யாதும் இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
When there is nobody who cares to come and ask of them, what is there to be seen in those who give? Nothing at all.