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Kural 401

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araṅkiṉṟi vaṭṭāṭi yaṟṟē nirampiya / nūliṉṟik kōṭṭi koḷal

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“Like those at draughts would play without the chequered square, / Men void of ample lore would counsels of the learned share.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“Ascending the rostrum without abundant knowledge is like the playing of dice without the chequered board.”

Modern readingAI draft

Entering a learned assembly without the study that makes one adequately prepared is like trying to play a board game without its board.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

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

அரங்கு இன்றி வட்டு ஆடியற்றே- அரங்கினையிழையாது வட்டாடினாற்போலும்; நிரம்பிய நூலின்றிக் கோட்டி கொளல்= தான் நிரம்புதற்கு ஏதுவாகிய நூல்களைக் கல்லாது ஒருவன் அவையின்கண் ஒன்றினைச் சொல்லுதல்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

Entering an assembly of the learned to debate without thoroughly mastering profound books of wisdom is like attempting to play a board game without a board.