Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 52 : Selection and Employment
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is on allotment of offices and tasks among those whom the king has chosen (guidelines for choosing were in previous chapter).

Translation(s)

The king should employ man of virtuous mood who, scanning good and evil ever makes the good as his joy.

 

Translation(s)

The workman’s hand is his who swells the revenues, spreads plenty over the land, seeks out what hinders progress.

 

Translation(s)

He who has these four good gifts – a loyal love, wisdom, clearness, mind free from avarice – should be ever trusted.

 

Translation(s)

Even when tests of every kind are multiplied, many a man (who were found to be) full prove otherwise when tried by action.

 

Translation(s)

The king’s commission should bear no specious favorite except he that knows and performs work with patient care.

 

Translation(s)

Let the king first ask, ‘Who shall perform this deed?’ and ‘What is the deed?’ (Then being) assured of befitting hour, let each deed proceed.

 

Translation(s)

‘This man, this work shall thus work out,’ let thoughtful king command; then leave the matter wholly to his servant’s hands.

Explanation

Delegation of authority was essential for the king, as it is in modern business management:

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.
- Andrew Carnegie

Translation(s)

As each man’s special aptitude is known, bid that man (to) make that special work his own.

 

Translation(s)

Fortune deserts the king who can ill bear the informal friendly ways of his men who share his toil.

 

Translation(s)

Let king search out his servant’s deeds each day; when these (servants / deeds ?) do right, the world goes rightly on its ways.

Explanation

A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head. (Elizabeth in a letter to Henry Sidney, 1565.)
- Elizabeth I, Queen of England & Ireland, also known as Good Queen Bess, presided over growing empire (1533-1603)

The Right Hand Position is popularly called "Varun Mudra" in Yoga - Closeup,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari,India
Credit: Kris Kumar, Flickr

References