139. "I Wish Him Well"

"You gave a new lease of life to that urchin, who, orphaned by his parents, was roaming on the streets, by giving him a job and enabled him to earn a decent income and live a dignified life. For the past several years, he had been working for you with sincerity and dedication. Now, he has quit the job, without even telling you and started a business in competition with your business. Are you going to allow him to get away with this treachery?" burst out Sundari, giving vent to her anger and frustration.

Sabhapathy did not say anything.

"For his act of ungratefulness, I want him to..."

"Don't curse him" interrupted Sabhapathy. "May he be happy!" 

"We should at least condemn a person who betrayed us, in strong words. That will give us some satisfaction!" said Sundari.

"The hallmark of a good person is not to use words intending harm to others" said Sabhapathy.

"What do you mean? We may decide not to punish a person who has wronged us. But should we not give vent to our anger? That's what will make us feel better."

"It is a wrong approach."

"What you say is strange. Some people will use abusive words against a person who has wronged them. Dignified people won't use abusive language. But they will curse the traitor, saying things like, 'he will pay the price for this,' 'he will be punished by God for what he did to me' etc. It is natural for people to react this way."

"Using harsh words amounts to punishing ourselves."

"How can it be?"

"In our mythology, there are stories of sages who attained extraordinary powers through long years of penance. But if they cursed someone, their powers would get diminished. This is what we see in several mythological stories. Now, what is cursing? Cursing is using words intending harm to others. Doesn't the sages' suffering loss of power, when they cursed other people, indicate that this resulted from their lack of discipline and propriety? Is this not a punishment the sages inflicted on themselves, by slipping on their discipline and code of propriety?"

Sundari did not answer her husband.

After a few months, there was news of a person running a chit fund having absconded with the money deposited by the subscribers to various chit fund schemes. Sundari had subscribed to a scheme promoted by him and deposited fifty thousand rupees over a period. When she heard the news, she was shocked. The grief resulting from losing a large amount of money made her feel angry towards the person who had cheated her. She began to curse him with the words, "May he suffer from...." But immediately, she changed her thought and murmured "I wish him well."

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 14
Possession of Propriety 

Verse 139 (In Tamil)

ozhukkam udaiyavarkku ollAvE thIya
vazhukkiyum vAyAl solal.

Meaning:

Those who practice propriety will not utter harmful words even inadvertently. 

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sIttuppaNam' by the same author.)

Verse 140 (Soon)
Verse 138

602. Nandan's Plans

"What did our MD say?" Sukumar asked General Manager Prabhu, who had just been to the Managing Director's cabin.

Prabhu was designated General Manager of the small firm because of his seniority. But he was nearly at the same level as were the other employees of the firm.

"Everyday he comes out with some new plans. I don't know how he expects them to be implemented. Listening to him, my head reels!" said Prabhu.

"He expects you to carry out his plans, doesn't he?"

"He doesn't say so. I think he wants to share his ideas with someone and makes use of me as a receptacle for his thoughts. But, I am worried."

"Why?"

"I don't have the expertise or competence to carry out his ideas. If he thinks that I am not good enough to bring his ideas into fruition, he may replace me!"

"It won't happen. You have been working in this firm from the time of his father. If you feel insecure, what will be the state of people like me?"

"His father was an achiever. He quit a well-paying job and started this firm. He faced several challenges and obstacles. But he overcame all the obstacles through his dedication, hard work and perseverance and made his firm to grow to the present level. Since the business had been firmly grounded by him, our firm has been functioning smoothly like a lubricated machine. Our business runs almost on auto pilot. Even if we don't do anything, the business will keep running. We just need to execute the orders we keep receiving. And cash will keep flowing in. But, our MD seems to think that he has to make his own contribution to the business."

"If my father had left me a business like this, I would be sitting pretty, collecting the cash that keeps coming and enjoying my life" said Sukumar, with a sigh.

"Mr. Prabhu! I have been talking to you about my ideas for making our business grow further. What do you think of them?" asked Managing Director Nandan.

"Sir, your ideas are amazing. But, I am not sure whether we have the setup to carry out those ideas" said Prabhu. After some hesitation, he added, "Are we not doing well, already?"

"On both counts, you are right. It is true that we have been doing well. My father had built up the business and taken it to such a level that I can just sit tight and watch the business run on its own. But, should we not emulate our parents? I think it is not enough, if we just enjoy what they have left for us. So, I have been thinking of ways to expand our business and sharing my ideas with you."

Prabhu kept quiet, not being sure how to respond to this.

"But, as you rightly said, we don't have the setup to carry out my ideas. We cannot execute my plans with the setup we have. So, I have decided to create a new setup. As the first step, I am going to  appoint a Project Manager."

Prabhu was waiting with bated breath to listen to what the Managing Director was going to say further.

"But the new setup should not disturb the existing setup. So, I propose to create a new division headed by the Project Manager I will be appointing. We will construct a new building adjacent to the existing building. The new division will function from there. That way, the new division will not have any link with the existing division being managed by you. But, I need to make some changes in your division too."

Prabhu began to worry how the changes proposed by the Managing Director would affect him.

"Though you have been designated General Manager, you don't even have a cabin. So, I will create a cabin for you. I will also delegate specific powers to you, to enable you to function independently to carry out your responsibilities. You can suggest creating positions under you that could function as responsibility centres. What do you say?"

"Your vision to take this firm created by your father to higher levels is laudable, sir" said Prabhu.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 602 (in Tamil):
madiyai madiyA ozhugal kudiyaik
kudiyAga vENdubhavar.

Meaning:

Those who you wish to make their clan reputed will kill laziness.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nandhanin thittangaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 603 (Soon)
Verse 601

601. Library Assistant

"The groom's family has been a wealthy family, since several generations. The family has tremendous goodwill in the village. If you ask anyone in the village about the family, they will say, 'you can't see such nice people anywhere.' We should be lucky to give our daughter in marriage to a boy from that family" said Ayyaswamy.

"Oh, good! What is the groom doing?" asked his wife Lakshmi. 

"The boy is educated. But he is not working. His parents are no more. He has a lot of properties. So, he has been looking after his properties, by residing in the village" replied Ayyaswamy.

He then turned to his daughter Thangam and asked her, "What is your opinion about this match?"

Thangam said, "You know what is good for me, dad."

Three months passed since Thangam married Dhandapani and came to live in his house in the village. She observed that her husband was mostly staying at home.

Thangam asked Dhandapani, "Should you not be going to our fields and supervising the farming operations going on there?"

"There is no need. I have leased out my lands. The tenants will carry out the operations and give us our share in the harvest. Our job is to just to receive the paddy and store it in the bins. In fact, I won't be bringing home our entire share of the paddy. I will bring only the quantity needed by us for our food. The tenant will sell the remaining quantity to paddy merchants and give me the sale proceeds in cash" said Dhandapani, proudly.

'It is like someone peeling the banana and feeding it into your month, saving you even the little labour of peeling!' thought Thangam.

"We own a rice mill. You don't go there either" remarked Thangam.

"We have appointed a person to manage the rice mill. He meets me every evening, gives me the day's account and hands over the amount earned that day. Have you not seen him visiting our house every day?"

"Has this been the practice since your grandfather's time?"

"My grandfather was looking after the lands, but there was no rice mill during his time. My father was not interested in farming activities. So, he leased out the lands. He started the rice mill and looked after that business. Since the rice mill business had stabilized during my father's time, I entrusted running the rice mill to a manager" said Dhandapani, feeling proud about his ingenuity.

"Are you going to start any other business?" asked Thangam.

"No. But, why are you asking this question?"

"Your grandfather was looking after the lands. Your father started a rice mill and was looking after it. But you have not been looking after either. That is why I wondered whether you had a plan to start some other business."

"I have been looking after you. Is it not sufficient?" asked Dhandapani, jocularly. 

After a few days, Thangam told Dhandapani, "You know there is a free library in our village."

"Yes. An old lady has been running it. I have visited the library. But I don't have interest in reading books. So, I have not been using the library. The lady has been running it very well. I have often wondered how she has collected so many books and why she has been lending books to people free of cost, spending her own time and money in doing the service. I salute her for doing this service at this age, exerting herself physically."

"Yes. Running the library has been a difficult task for her. When I was talking to her, she said that it would be helpful if someone assisted her in running the library. I intend to go to the library every day and help her in her task" said Thangam.

"What is the need for you to do this? We are not in need of money. She won't be able to offer you a good salary, either" said Dhandapani, surprised by Thangam's idea.

"I won't be working for a salary. I just want to volunteer my services."

"Why? Sitting at home is boring to you! If you feel bored, you can borrow books from the library and read. You can even buy books and read."

After hesitating for a moment, Thangam said, "Our family has a good reputation among the people in this village. Your grandfather kept himself busy by looking after agriculture. Your father started a rice mill and kept himself busy by running it. But, you are not engaged in either activity. If we live an idle life, without engaging ourselves in any activity, the esteem and goodwill we have among the people will get eroded gradually.  Only if we are involved in some activity, will people respect us. Till the time you take up a job or some activity, I propose to engage myself in such activities, to save our respect and esteem from getting faded."

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 601(in Tamil):
kudiyennum kunRA viLakkam madiyennum
mAsUra mAyndhu kedum.

Meaning:

The inextinguishable flame of distinguished ancestry will be put out,

if the filth of sloth starts blocking it

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nUlaga udhaviyALar' by the same author.) 

Verse 602
Verse 600

600. Trees Grown By the Father.

"You are twenty five years old. But you have still not got yourself a job!" said Thilakam.

"I have been trying" said her son Natarajan.

"I doubt it. I am not not well-educated. Still, I look for job advertisements in the newspapers and suggest the suitable ones to you. But, you apply only for a few of the opportunities I bring to your notice."

"Only I can decide what kind of a job will suit me. I can't apply for all the jobs advertised in the papers and picked by you as suitable to me."

"Why can't you seek the help of influential people known to us for getting a job through their contacts? I referred you to some people. But, you didn't approach them."

"I cannot meet everyone you want me to and beg for his charity" said Natarajan, showing his irritation. He added, "Are we struggling for survival? Are we not living comfortably?"

"We are surviving, alright. But, we can't continue like this, forever. After you get married and your family expands, won't you need a steady income to run your family? Your father died when you were a boy, leaving the responsibility of bringing you up, to me entirely. You will never understand how much I struggled single-handedly, to bring you up.. But, you have the habit of taking things easy. You didn't concentrate on your studies. I saved money for your college education, by being prudent in spending and cutting down many of my needs. But you were not interested in joining a college. You were happy to stop your studies at the school level. Now, you are not making any effort to take up employment. When I think of your future, I am worried. But you don't have even an iota of concern about your future" lashed out Thilakam, pouring out her feelings of anger and frustration.

Upset by his mother's words, Natarajan walked out of the house.

When Thilakam was engaged in nurturing the plants in the garden at her home, Sivakami, a neighbour came there.

"Did your son get a job?" Sivakami asked Thilakam.

"Not yet. He is still searching for a job" replied Thilakam.

Looking at the plants in the garden, Sivakami pointed to one tree and remarked, "This tree has grown up so tall!"

"All these plants were nurtured by my husband. Now they have grown into tall tress" said Thilakam, feeling both proud and nostalgic.

Seeing her son Natarajan step into the house, 'What is the difference between these plants and my son?' wondered Sivakami.

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 60

Possessing Zeal

Verse 600 (in Tamil):

uram oruvarkku uLLa veRukkai ahdhu illAr
maram makkaLAdhalE vERu.

Meaning:

Abundant zeal is one's strength. People, devoid of this are trees in the form of human beings. 

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'appA vaLarththa marangaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 601
Verse 599

599. The Man Who Came From Nowhere

Murugan started his campaign in that small village.

He landed at the nearby town and stayed in a small hotel in that town. He travelled by a bus and reached the village.

After alighting from the bus, Murugan went to a tea shop near the bus. Sipping a glass of tea, he began conversing with the people dining at that restaurant.

They listened to his talk with amazement. The owner of the tea shop also listened to him with interest.

While paying for the tea, Murugan spoke a few words to the owner of the tea shop. The tea shop owner listened to him and nodded his head, somewhat reluctantly.

Murugan then got into a bus and went back to the town, where he had taken a hotel room.

When Murugan came to the village again at 6 o' clock in the evening, about twenty people were standing near the bus stop, waiting for his arrival.

Murugan exchanged a few words with them and went along with them. 

They led Murugan to a broad street in that village. About fifty people had assembled there already.

Murugan stood before them and began to address them. A person, sitting on the pial of a house nearby, told him, "Please sit on this pial and speak. Then only, people will be able to look at you."

Accepting his invitation, Murugan sat on the pial and began to speak.

"Good evening! My name is Murugan. I don't belong to this village, but I am a citizen of this country. I have taken the liberty of visiting this village, considering that you are also citizens of this country and that the issues I am about to discuss with you are also issues of concern to you.

"The person who won from this constituency was elected by legislators belonging to his part, to lead this country. He has been holding the top office for the past four and a half years. He has not done any good to people, but has been successfully deceiving people. 

"If someone questions him about his commissions and omissions, he and his supporters pounce on that person like a ton of brick, attack him and spin a web of false allegations against him. The man elected to lead this country uses his authority to imprison his critics on the basis of flimsy or fabricated charges. He has made it a habit to characterize his critics as anti-national elements.

"Whenever he faces strong opposition from people, he creates divisions among people, by spreading hatred through false propaganda. He eventually overcomes such opposition, by diverting people's attention to issues created by his false propaganda.

"The opposition parties, who have the duty to oppose his tyrannical ways, for some reason, act timidly and often waver in their stands. As a result, the leader is becoming stronger and stronger. It is widely believed that he is going to win the next election too!

"Some sections of the media purchased by him and other sections intimidated by him have been covering up his failures and wrongdoings and singing his praise, extolling his imaginary achievements.

"When unjust things happen in a society and we allow such things to continue, great harm will be caused to the society. The society also has to carry the shame for silently suffering the atrocities, without displaying the courage and wisdom to resist them.

"I believe that our society should not suffer such a shame. I am sure that there are many among you, who feel the same way as me. I think it is my duty to make people, who don't feel this way, understand what is happening around them and what its consequences are going to be. Once they understand this, they will also join the ranks of people who want to put an end to this disgraceful situation. 

"This man made an entry into the public sphere quietly like a cat. Today, he has morphed himself into an elephant that has turned rogue The wild elephant is now pushing people around and crushing people who resist its arrogance, under its feet 

"There is an eternal question as to who should bell the cat. Rats not having the courage to bell the cat, foe fear of being caught and killed by the cat is understandable. Bur a lion or tiger should not fear the elephant. Many people amongst us have been living in fear, like rats. We are not rats, we are tigers. We have the strength to take on the rogue elephant.

"In the next election, I am going to contest against the leader, who has been cheating all of us. I am an individual. Since the opposition parties that have the power, the strength and the responsibility to take on the tyrant ruling us are inactive, clueless about how to devise a strategy to fight him, I have begun the effort of subduing the rogue elephant, by mobilizing the power of people.

"Today, I may be a nobody. There are six months for the election. During this period, I will be meeting people, telling them the truth about the state of affairs and mobilizing them against the tyrant. I am confident that I will succeed in my efforts."

"The reason for my stating my campaign in your village, situated in his constituency, is the name of your village, Satyapuri - meaning the abode of Truth. What I am launching is a struggle for justice and truth. It is only appropriate that it begins at the abode of Truth.

"As of now, I am a single person. Swami Vivekananda said, 'Give me hundred young people. I will transform this country.' I also need just hundred people. With their help, I will be able to achieve success in my efforts. If I get one person from this village to work with me, I will consider it a beginning for success."

After Murugan had completed his speech, five people from the crowd raised their hands. 

"You will definitely succeed in your mission, young man" a voice from the crowd proclaimed loudly.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 60

Possessing Zeal

Verse 599 (in Tamil):
pariyadhu kUrngOttadhu Ayinum yAnai
verUm puli thAkkuRin.

Meaning:

It is huge; it has sharp tusks; yet, the tusker

is frightened when the tiger attacks.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'murugan enRu oruvan' by the same author.) 

Verse 600
Verse 598

137. Accusation And Acquittal

"What is happening in our office? I see a flurry of activities near the MD's (Managing Director's) cabin!" asked Govardahanam. 

Govardhanam was a person, who would keep to himself and won't be bothered about things going around him in the office.

"It seems that a fraud has been committed" said Ganesan. He had just been to the section, where the MD's cabin was located and made some inquiries.

"What kind of a fraud?"

"A sum of three lakh rupees that should have been transferred to a supplier's bank account has, instead, been transferred to some other account."

"How is this possible? It is the Chief Accountant, who handles bank transfer transactions!"

"Someone had used his password and transferred the money to some other account. The supplier firm noticed that it did not receive the payment, only a few days after it had received the payment advice from our firm. The firm then took up the matter with us. Our people checked the records and found that the payment had gone to the account of some unknown person. Only after that, the fraud was discovered. Three weeks had passed during the process. Our management had kept the matter secret. Today, two police officers have come to our office, to investigate the matter" explained Ganesan.

"I think they will be able to find the culprit, by tracing the bank account to which the money has been transferred" said Govardhanam.

"They have traced the account. It seems that the account had been opened only recently and that the account holder withdrew the money and wiped the account clean. The identity proof and address proof given by him were found to be fictitious."

"Do they suspect any of the employees?"

Before Ganesan could answer Govardhanam, the office peon came there and told Govardhanam, "Sir! The MD is calling you."

Two police officers were sitting in the MD's room. As soon as Govardhanam had entered the room, the MD asked him, "Mr. Govardhanam! Did you work in a firm called Vinayaka Enterprises, before joining our firm?"

Taken aback by this question, Govardhanam replied reluctantly, "Yes, sir."

"Why didn't you mention that in your job application?" asked the MD.

"How could he mention it? How could he say that he was dismissed from that firm for embezzling five thousand rupees, while working there as a cashier?" quipped one of the two police officers, in a derisive tone. 

The officer then looked into the eyes of Govardhanam and demanded, "Confess to us that it was you who swindled three lakh rupees, through a fraudulent transfer!" in an intimidating tone.

Govardhanam felt a wave of panic sweeping his body, from head to feet. 

Events that took place ten years back flashed in his mind's screen - his incurring gambling debts, embezzling five thousand rupees from his office on an impulse, to safeguard himself from the threats issued by the money lenders, getting caught, selling his mother's jewellery and paying back to the firm the money embezzled by him, the firm dismissing him, yet showing him some mercy, by not preferring a police complaint, considering that he had paid back the money taken by him, and his turning a new leaf, by taking up a new job and living a disciplined life.

"Are you wondering how we came to know of this? After the fraud had happened, we checked the background of each and every employee of this firm. You joined this firm, ten years before. But you had completed your education twelve years back. When you applied for a job here, you led the management of this firm to believe that you had not worked in any other firm earlier. We were intrigued by the gap of two years. When we probed your background, we found out about your previous employment and your embezzlement. Now, tell us, where the money stolen by you is!"

Govardhanam looked at his MD and pleaded with him, "Sir! It is a fact that I had committed a wrong once. But, after that, I have been living with the determination that I shouldn't make even a small mistake. I don't even know how to do online transfer of money from a bank account. Please believe me."

The MD looked at the police officers.

"You are a suspect. We have to arrest you" said the police officr.

Govardhanam desperately looked at his MD.

The MD shifted his gaze in another direction.

Four days after Govardhanam's arrest, the police found out that a former employee of the firm had committed the fraud and arrested him. Subsequently, Govardhanam was released from police custody.

Two days after Govardhanam was released rom prison, Ganesan, Govardhanam's friend in the office, came to Govardhanam's house..

Govardhanam felt ashamed to look at his friend's face. 

"Take it easy. It has now been proved that you didn't commit the fraud" said Ganesan.

"The wrong I committed ten years back is still haunting me. What a humiliation I had to face! I feel ashamed even to look at you, a friend of mine" said Govardhanam.

"Leave it!" said Ganesan.

"It was the wrong that I had committed in the past that made me a suspect in the eyes of the police. I realize how one misdeed of mine brought me such a fall and humiliation! However, I have one regret."

"What is it?"

"I committed a wrong once. Therefore, the police suspected me. But, I have been living an honest life for the past ten years. Doesn't that honesty have any value?"

"Of course, it has a value!" said Ganesan.

"Don't say something just to appease me. What did I get for being a man of integrity?" countered Govardhanam.

"Your integrity has been recognized. I came here to tell you the good news. But you began to talk about the humiliation suffered by you. I thought I would tell you the news, once you calmed down a little.

"What good news?"

"Though it is now known that you committed no wrong, our MD was a bit unhappy that you had concealed your past, while applying for the job. But, realizing that it was not fair to punish a person who had been working hard for the firm for the past ten years, he has reinstated you. A letter has been sent by the firm reinstating you. You will get that letter in a day or two" said Ganesan.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 14
Possession of Propriety 

Verse 137 (In Tamil)

ozhukkththin eydhuvar mEnmai izhukkaththin
eydhuvar eydhAp pazhi.

Meaning:

One will attain eminence through propriety of conduct. Violation of propriety will lead to insufferable disgrace.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'paNa mOsadi' by the same author)

Verse 138 (Soon)
Verse 136

598. Post-dated Cheque

"When I was holding a job, I was regularly contributing giving donations to orphanages, old age homes etc. But, I am not able to give such donations now" said Kathiresan.

"Why? Now you are running a business and earning more than what you were, from your job. Why are you not able to donate money now?" asked his wife Kumari.

"That's what I am unable to understand. No doubt, my earnings are more now than they were earlier. All the same, I feel reluctant to make any financial commitment."

"Yes, I have been observing it. Earlier, I was subscribing to jewellery purchase schemes, through regular monthly savings. But, nowadays, I am reluctant to subscribe to such schemes. It will require paying the subscription, within a specified date every month. I am not sure whether you will be able to give me money, when I ask for it. There have been times, when you have pleaded your inability to give me the money I asked for, saying, 'I am expecting a huge order. Only after getting it, my cash flow will be comfortable!'"

Remembering that he had said so on some occasions, Kathiresan remained silent.

Kathiresan went to meet his friend Dhanasekaran at his office. 

Dhanasekaran was also running a business. His business was small, compared to that of Kathiresan. Consequently, his earnings were also smaller than Kathiresan's.

When Kathiresan was sitting in Dhanasekaran's cabin and talking to him, Dhanasekaran had a visitor.

Asking Kathiresan to excuse him for a minute, Dhanasekaran spoke to the visitor. After a brief conversation, he told the visitor, "Please wait outside. I will ask my Manager to give you a cheque."

Dhanasekaran then called his Manager to his cabin.

"As you know, I have been giving a donation to the mass feeding event held during the annual festival of my village temple. A gentleman from our village has come. Prepare a cheque for ten thousand rupees. I will sign it" he told the Manager.

After hesitating for a minute, the Manager told Kathireasan, "Sir! Our funds are very tight at the moment." 

The Manager then went out, brought an accounts ledger and showed it to Kathiresan. 

Dhanasekaran looked at the figures pointed out by the Manager and thought for a few seconds. He then told the Manager, "Just a minute" and went out of his cabin. 

Dhanasekaran returned to his cabin after a few minutes and told the Manager, "I talked to the person. He says it will be okay, if they get the money after ten days. So, give him a post-dated cheque."

After the Manager had left his cabin, Dhanasekaran told Kathiresan, "You may think that my giving a post-dated cheque for the mass-feeding event is like asking a hungry man to come after ten days and get some food! What can I do? I am not a big businessman like you. I seldom have surplus cash. But, I have a mind to contribute to certain good causes. I have been able to contribute what little I could, only by making some adjustments. But, maybe because of the zeal and determination I have for helping the causes dear to me, fortunately, I have been able to get the money needed to keep my commitments, at the right time. I am now giving a post-dated cheque for ten thousand rupees. When the cheque will be presented to my bank after ten days, enough money would have come to my bank account, for getting the cheque passed. It appears amazing to me, but till now, there had never been an occasion when there was not enough money in my bank account when a cheque was presented, resulting in the cheque getting returned unpaid or necessitating my pleading with the bank to pass the cheque."

Dhanasekaran laughed, feeling proud of his track record.

Kathiresan looked at his friend with amazement and admiration. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 60

Possessing Zeal

Verse 598 (in Tamil):

uLLam ilAdhavar eydhAr ulagaththu
vaLLiyam ennum serukku.

Meaning:

Those without zeal, will never attain

the pride of being hailed as generous.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'udhavi seyya virumbiyum' by the same author.) 

Verse 599
Verse 597