The Possession of Self-control
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aṭakkam amararuḷ uykkum aṭaṅkāmai / āriruḷ uyttu viṭum
“Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share; / Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there.”
“Self-control leadeth unto heaven, but uncontrolled passion is the royal road to endless darkness.”
Self-control carries a person up to the world of the gods; the lack of it sweeps them into unending darkness.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அடக்கம் அமரருள் உய்க்கும் = ஒருவனை அடக்கமாகிய அறம் பின் தேவருலகத்து உய்க்கும்; அடங்காமை ஆர் இருள் உய்த்து விடும் = அடங்காமையாகிய பாவம் தங்குதற்கு அரிய இருளின்கண் செலுத்தும். (இருள் என்பது ஓர் நரகவிசேடம்.)
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The discipline of self-control eventually carries a person up to the world of the gods, while its opposite — being unrestrained — drives them into a dense, inescapable darkness, a kind of hell. Mastering yourself sets the whole direction of your life.