Bounty Within Bounds [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

Bounty Within Bounds [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil]




381. In severe drought, the king Pari's young daughter
gave a lot of gold in a boiling pot
as food to a begging bard.
Every house has something to offer.

382. The philanthropy of a king is to give
bounty within bounds in joy to establish
his fame. The conquerors can give gifts with ease.
Little loss when gifts swell to get a fair wife.

383. O, chief of the cool coast with leaping waves
making sounds of neighing horses! Giving
with the aim of getting fame is foolish.
It is like eating, working for the wages.

384. If one ‘lone begs, none denies. When many hands
stretch, if the giver gives one, others will faint.
The giver so hides things and looks a miser.
An army of beggars shouldn't rush to a house.

385. O, maid with black eyes of the carps and heavy
ear-studs! Can the belles with desires boundless live
with the sterile men? It likens bathing in
friction oil applied to the wheels of a car.

386. If the ascetics enjoy themselves the gifts
given, no one will stop them. If the king himself
becomes lawless and seize the goods of th' people
what can they do but yield and lose the things?

Monday, February 27, 2017
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Rajendran Muthiah

Rajendran Muthiah

Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India.
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