Tirukkural Chapter 56 - Couplets 1,2,3

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL அதிகாரம் 56 - கொடுங்கோன்மை CHAPTER 56 - UNRIGHTEOUS RULE *** 56/01. கொலைமேற்கொண் டாரின் கொடிதே அலைமேற்கொண்டு அல்லவை செய்தொழுகும் வேந்து. 56/01. Kolaimerrkkonnd daarin kodidhe alaimerrkonndu Allavai seithozhugum vendhu. 56/01. The unrighteous King tortures his subjects He is worse than a professional murderer. *** Akash: An unrighteous King tortures His subjects for no reason. Swami: If the King is good, The country also is good. If he's unfortunately bad, The country also becomes bad. If he tortures his subjects Simply for no reasons, He's considered no better Than a professional murderer. Many kings invaded countries, Massacred enemies' armies, As cruel-brutal murderers. And annexed their territories. *** 56/02. வேலொடு நின்றான் இடுஎன் றதுபோலும் கோலொடு நின்றான் இரவு. 56/02. Velodu nindraan iduen rradhupolum Kolodu nindrra iravu. 56/02. A cruel King demanding things from his subjects Is like a thief demanding, on spear point, wayfarers of their possessions. *** Akash: How can a King demand things from his subjects Instead of giving them what they want? Swami: It's like asking for ransom From people of his own kingdom, That's worse than thief loots, On spear point, all wayfarers. Many kings in the past, Who were cruel, had lost Their reputations by forcing People to part with their things. They collected from subjects All kind of heavy taxes, And confined defaulters in jails Or slashed them with whips. *** 56/03. நாடொறும் நாடி முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன் நாடொறும் நாடு கெடும். 56/03. Naadorrum naadi murraiseiyaa manavan Naadorrum naadu kedum. 56/03. If a King does not review crimes daily and punish criminals That country will perish gradually. *** Akash: The King is responsible to punish criminals And if he fails the country will perish one day. Swami: The duty of a King is To review daily crimes And punish those criminals According to their crimes. If he takes up criminal cases, Only as and when he likes, Instead of on daily basis, Crimes will definitely increase. The country will suffer then Without King's protection And criminals will walk freely In streets looting people daily. ***