Farming
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cuḻaṉṟu mērppiṉṉa tulaka mataṉā / luḻantu muḻavē talai.
“Howe'er they roam, the world must follow still the plougher's team; / Though toilsome, culture of the ground as noblest toil esteem.”
“Roam where they will, men must at last stand behind the plough for their food: in spite of every hardship, therefore, husbandry is the chiefest industry.”
Though people turn to other pursuits, the world follows the plow; despite all hardships, farming is supreme.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சுழன்றும் ஏர்ப்பின்னது உலகம்= உழுதலான் வரும் மெய்வருத்த நோக்கிப் பிறதொழில்களைச் செய்துதிரிந்தும், முடிவில் ஏருடையார் வழியதாயிற்று உலகம்; அதனால் உழந்தும் உழவே தலை= ஆதலான் எல்லா வருத்தமுற்றும், தலையாய தொழில் உழவே.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Though people wander into various occupations to avoid the physical toil of tilling the soil, the world ultimately depends upon the plowman; therefore, despite its hardships, agriculture remains the foremost of all callings.