Renown
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īta licaipaṭa vāḻta latuvalla / tūtiya millai yuyirkku
“See that thy life the praise of generous gifts obtain; / Save this for living man exists no real gain.”
“Give to the poor and add glory unto thy name: there is no greater profit for man than this.”
Giving to the destitute and earning enduring renown through that service is the supreme profit of human existence.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஈதல்= வறியார்க்கு ஈக; இசைபட வாழ்தல்= அதனால் புகழ் உண்டாக வாழ்க; அது அல்லது ஊதியம் உயிர்க்கு இல்லை=; அப்புகழ் அல்லது மக்கள் உயிர்க்குப் பயன் பிறிது ஒன்று இல்லை ஆகலான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Giving to the destitute and earning enduring renown through that service is the supreme profit of human existence.