Abstaining from Intoxicants
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uṭkap paṭāa roḷiyiḻappa reññāṉṟuṅ / kaṭkātal koṇṭoḻuku vār.
“Who love the palm's intoxicating juice, each day, / No rev'rence they command, their glory fades away.”
“Behold the men who are addicted to drink: they will never be feared by their enemies, and even the glory they have acquired they will lose.”
Those who live enslaved by love of intoxicants inspire no awe and lose all honor.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கட்காதல் கொண்டு ஒழுகுவார்= கள்ளின்மேற் காதல் செய்து ஒழுகும் அரசர்; எஞ்ஞான்றும் உட்கப்படாஅர்= எஞ்ஞான்றும் பகைவரான் அஞ்சப்படார்; ஒளிஇழப்பர்= அதுவேயன்றி முன் எய்திநின்ற ஒளியினையும் இழப்பர்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those who live in enslaved devotion to intoxicating drink will never inspire fear or respect in their enemies, and they will surely forfeit their honor and renown.