Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 56 : The Cruel Sceptre
 

Translation(s)

The king who works all injustice harassing his subjects is more cruel than the one who plies the murderer’s trade.

 

Translation(s)

As the robber cries ‘Give’ with lance uplifted, so the kings with sceptred hand implore a gift.

 

Translation(s)

The king who makes no daily search for wrongs, nor rules justly, that king day by day brings his realm to ruin.

“If a king enquiring day by day administers not justice, day by day his kingdom will fall to ruin.”
-rendering by F. W. Ellis

Explanation

Compare with Manu vii. 16 & c.

Translation(s)

King whose rod deflects from right and who does refuse counsel, he at once shall lose his wealth and people.

“The king who inconsiderately neglecteth the administration of justice, will lose both his wealth and his subjects.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

 

Translation(s)

His people’s tears of sorrow past endurance, are they not sharp instruments to wear the monarch’s wealth away?

“The tears of those who suffer from the injustice of the prince are files by which his felicity is worn away.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

 

Translation(s)

To ruler’s rule, right sceptre is stability; when it is not so, quenched is ruler’s light.

“From the uprightness of the sceptre (from their justice) princes obtain immortal renown; if deficient in this respect the glory of princes cannot last.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

Explanation

I think the correct rendering is that his rule becomes unstable and comes to an end.

The adjacent photograph shows a boy smearing out the poster of Ahmed Sekou, the dictator who ruled Guinea for 25 years, on his death. Here is National Geographic's comment on it:

"This photograph went around the world. Other countries in Africa used it to deliver a message: 'Look, you can erase dictatorship.'

Ahmed Sekou Touré ruled over Guinea for 25 years. His unexplained death while he was traveling abroad left a vacuum favorable to confrontations over power. We were about a hundred journalists authorized to cover his funerals, after which we had to depart the country leaving the struggle for power succession to the darkness of misinformation. I pleaded a physical ailment to stay a few more days. Three days later, a military coup d’etat got the better of the claimants to the dictatorial throne. In the streets, the freed population sang and danced to the rhythms of Bob Marley and drums. Any reminder of the man who had ruled in terror was erased."
Photograph and caption by Reza

Translation(s)

As lack of rain is to thirsty lands beneath, so is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe.

Explanation

Poet says that not only human beings are affected but also animals. If prosperity declines due to misrule, at least domestic animals would suffer.

Translation(s)

To live beneath the sway of unjust king, adds a sharper sting to poverty.

“It is worse than poverty, to be subject to the sceptre (sway) of an unjust prince.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

Explanation

Even the poor suffer as they are also persecuted more.

Translation(s)

When king deflecting from right makes unrighteous gain; the seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain.

Explanation

While this may not be literally true.

Translation(s)

When guardian does not guard, the udder of kine grow dry and Brahmans’ scared lore lie all forgotten.

 

Looking Up from Base of the Statue
View from the Back - Closeup,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari,India
Credit: Aquapevi, Flickr

References