Farming
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uḻaviṉār kaimmaṭaṅki ṉillai viḻaivatūum / viṭṭēmeṉ pārkku nilai.
“For those who 've left what all men love no place is found, / When they with folded hands remain who till the ground.”
“Even they who have renounced all desire will have to suffer if the husbandman sitteth still with folded arms.”
If the farmer's hands fold in idleness, even ascetics who renounce the world cannot endure.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உழவினார்கை மடங்கின்= உழுதலை உடையார் கை அதனைச் செய்யாது மடங்குமாயின்; விழைவதூஉம் விட்டேம் என்பார்க்கு நிலை இல்லை= யாவரும் விழையும் உணவும், யாம் துறந்தேம் என்பார்க்கு அவ்வறத்தின்கண் நிற்றலும் உளவாகா.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If the hands of farmers fold in inaction and cease to plow, no food will remain for society; and even spiritual ascetics who have renounced the world will no longer be able to maintain their vows.