Impermanence
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nācceṟṟu vikkuṇmēl vārāmu ṉalviṉai / mēṟceṉṟu ceyyap paṭum
“Before the tongue lie powerless, 'mid the gasp of gurgling breath, / Arouse thyself, and do good deeds beyond the power of death.”
“Make haste to do good works before the tongue is paralysed and hiccup ariseth in the throat.”
Before the tongue is stilled and the final gasping reaches the throat, good deeds should be carried forward and done.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஈரச்செற்று விக்குள் மேல்வாராமுன்= உரையாடா வண்ணம் நாவையடக்கி விக்குள் எழுவதற்கு முன்னே; நல்வினை மேற்சென்று செய்யப்படும்= வீட்டிற்கு ஏதுவாகிய அறம் விரைந்து செய்யப்படும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Before speech is silenced and the final death rattle seizes the throat, let enduring virtuous deeds be pursued and accomplished with utmost urgency.