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Kural 389

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cevikaippac coṟpoṟukkum paṇpuṭai vēntaṉ / kavikaikkīḻt taṅku mulaku

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“The king of worth, who can words bitter to his ear endure, / Beneath the shadow of his power the world abides secure.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“Behold the prince who hath the virtue to bear with words that are bitter to the ear: the world will rest permanently under his umbrella.”

Modern readingAI draft

The world will remain beneath the protective canopy of a ruler who has the character to endure words that are bitter to the ear.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

சொல் செவி கைப்பப் பொறுக்கும் பண்பு உடை வேந்தன்= இடிக்கும் துணையாயினார் சொற்களைத் தன் செவி பொறாதாகவும், விளைவு நோக்கிப் பொறுக்கும் பண்புடைய அரசனது; கவிகைக் கீழ்த் தங்கும் உலகு= குடை நிழற்கண்ணே தங்கும் உலகம் என்றவாறு.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

The entire realm will dwell peacefully beneath the protective umbrella of a ruler who possesses the patience to endure corrective words that sting the ears.