Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 24 : Renown
 

Introductory Note

I can use commentator’s analysis on page 230-231 to write comments.

Translation(s)

See that your life obtains the praise (received by giving) generous gifts. Save this, for living man exists no real gain.

 

Translation(s)

The speech of all that speak agrees to crown the men that give to those who ask, with fair renown.

Explanation

All human kind who speak different languages crown …… I do not know whether the poet meant to include animals and birds also.

Translation(s)

Save praise alone which soar high, nothing lives on earth that shall not die.

Explanation

Every thing dies, falls and becomes part of the earth; except praise earned, which soars high.

Translation(s)

If men do virtuous deeds which are crowned by world-wide ample glory, the heaven will cease to laud (glorify) the sage for other gifts renowned.

Explanation

The heaven will stop glorifying asceticism.

Translation(s)

Loss that is gain, and death of life’s true bliss fulfilled, are fruits which only wisdom rare can yield.

Explanation

Not at all clear. Needs explanation]

Fr. Beschi, in his Latin translation, has explained this verse as under:

 

Translation(s)

Man when you walk the stage (of this world) appear (on it) adorned with glory’s grace. Save glorious you can shine, it were better hide your face.

Explanation

‘Glory is like magic, which exhibits gain in loss and death in life; for it makes poor men happy, and causes the dead to live in the memory of men.’ (Latin to English translation by Rev. G. U. Pope)

Translation(s)

If you will spend your days devoid of goodly fame, when men despise why blame them? You are yourself to blame.

 

Translation(s)

Fame is virtue’s child they say. If, then you live childless, you live the scorn of men.

 

Translation(s)

If the earth bears the burden of men without renown, the blameless fruits of field’s increase will dwindle down.

Explanation

If there are no renowned men on earth then it’ll have to bear the burden of all men. The yield of fields will decline because of such a huge burden on it.

Translation(s)

Those who live without reproach, we deem them living men. Those who live without renown, live not, though living men they seem.

Explanation

End of the Section on Domestic Virtue.

Summary Note

Commentator says that renown (Praise, Fame, Glory) is

“the reward that comes to the householder in this life, who obeys the precepts contained in the foregoing chapters. It is chiefly bestowed upon those who give. Hence its place after the chapter on ‘giving.’”

Rev. G. U. Pope wrote in 1886 AD in his notes:

“The picture of the life of the virtuous Tamil householder,  as drawn (in Ch. v-xxiv) by the pariah weaver-priest by Myilapur a thousand years ago, is, it will be admitted, a very attractive one; and there is reason to believe that the villages of the Karnatik still contain many worthy householders whose life is governed by the rules here prescribed.”

This is the Junction of Three Seas:
The Indian Ocean, The Arabian Sea, The Bay of Bengal.
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Sundar_m77, Flickr

References