Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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iḷaiya riṉamuṟaiya reṉṟikaḻār niṉṟa / voḷiyō ṭoḻukap paṭum.
“Say not, 'He's young, my kinsman,' despising thus your king; / But reverence the glory kingly state doth bring.”
“Trifle not with the prince because he is young or because he is thy kinsman or connection: but walk with awe before the light that is within him.”
Do not despise the ruler as younger or related; conduct yourself in keeping with the standing dignity of kingship.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இளையர் இன முறையர் என்று இகழார்= இவர் எம்மின் இளையர் என்றும், எமக்கு இன்னமுறையினை உடையரென்றும் அரசரை அவமதியாது; நின்ற ஒளியோடு ஒழுகப்படும்= அவர் மாட்டு நின்ற ஒளியோடு பொருந்த ஒழுகுதல் செயப்படும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Never disrespect the leader thinking 'he is younger than me' or 'he is my relative'; conduct yourself with reverence for the standing majesty of high office.