Begging
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irappāṉ vekuḷāmai vēṇṭum nirappiṭumpai / tāṉēyuñ cāluṅ kari.
“Askers refused from wrath must stand aloof; / The plague of poverty itself is ample proof.”
“Let not the beggar scowl when a man pleadeth inability to give: for his own need should be enough to show bim that another may be in like condition.”
One who asks must not show anger if denied; their own poverty is proof that means are not always available.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இரப்பான் வெகுளாமை வேண்டும்= ஈவானுக்குப் பொருள் உதவாவழி, இவன் எனக்கு ஈகின்றிலன் என்று, அவனை இரப்பான் வெகுளாது ஒழிதல் வேண்டும்; நிரப்பிடும்பை தானேயும் கரி சாலும் = அதுவேண்டிய பொழுது உதவாது என்பதற்கு வேறு சான்று வேண்டா, நிரப்பாகிய தன் இடும்பை தானேயும் சான்றாதல் அமையும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
When an appeal is denied because a benefactor lacks the means, the petitioner must not harbor anger; for his own experience of destitution is proof enough that resources are not always at hand.