Austerity
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oṉṉārt teṟalu muvantārai yākkalu / meṇṇiṟ ṟavattāṉ varum
“Destruction to his foes, to friends increase of joy. / The 'penitent' can cause, if this his thoughts employ.”
“It thou wouldst destroy thy foes and exalt those that love thee, know that such a power belongeth unto tapas.”
The verse attributes to the power of austerity, if the practitioner so intends, the destruction of adversaries and the elevation of those who delight in it.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
(இதன்பொருள்) ஒன்னார்த் தெறலும்= தம் மறத்திற்குப் பகையாய் அழிவு செய்தாரைக் கெடுத்தலும்; உவந்தாரை ஆக்கலும்= அதனை உவந்தாரை உயர்த்தலும் ஆகிய இவ்விரண்டையும்; எண்ணின் தவத்தான் வரும்= தவம்செய்வார் நினைப்பாராயின் அவர் தவவலியான் அவை அவர்க்கு உளவாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If a genuine ascetic directs their focused will, the spiritual force of austerity has the power to subdue those who oppose righteousness and uplift those who cherish goodness.