Internal Enmity
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oṉṟāmai yoṉṟiyār kaṭpaṭi ṉeññāṉṟum / poṉṟāmai yoṉṟa laritu.
“If discord finds a place midst those who dwelt at one before, / 'Tis ever hard to keep destruction from the door.”
“When treachery invadeth the entourage of the prince, it is impossible that he falleth not a prey to it one day or other.”
If hostility arises among those joined to him, it is always difficult for a ruler to escape death.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒன்றாமை ஒன்றியார்கண் படின்= பகைமை தனக்குள்ளாயினார் மாட்டே பிறக்குமாயின்; பொன்றாமை ஒன்றல் எஞ்ஞான்றும் அரிது= அரசனுக்கு இறவாமை கூடுதல் எஞ்ஞான்றும் அரிது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If fatal disloyalty springs up among those closely united with a leader, escaping mortal destruction becomes entirely impossible.