பழ மொழி - (Old Saying) - முதுமொழிக் காஞ்சி - 1

For this blog i have considered one of the பதினெண் கீழ்க்கணக்கு நூல்கள் ("A group of 18 poetic works written during ~ 100 - 500 A.D. were compiled under the heading, PathineN kIz kaNakku (பதினெண் கீழ் கணக்கு) which constituted the bottom 18 of the anthology series.). You can refer to this link to understand more about this http://www.tamilnation.org/literature/pathinen.htm. I have taken the 16th work of the 18 listed here which probably is one of the most obscure works than the popular works like Thirukural.

Muthumozhik kAnchi (முதுமொழிக்காஞ்சி) is noted for its simple style and forceful message of moral rules. It was written by Mathuraik kUdalAr KizAr (மதுரைக்கூடலார் கிழார்) , 100 songs in groups of 10 poems in each section. All the poems start with the same line but the 10 lines in each section will contain a significant phrase of the moral emphasized. For example, in the following poem, the excellence (சிறந்தன்று) of righteous behaviour and chastity will be found in the second and third lines: 

ஆர்கலி உலகத்து மக்கட் கெல்லாம் 

ஓதலில் சிறந்தன்று ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை, 

காதலில் சிறந்த ன்று கண் அஞ்சப்படுதல்.

So Lets get into this. Of the 100 songs I am publishing the first 10 with its meaning here.

A. சிறந்த பத்து (The Better 10 - Comparative best)

ஆர்கலி யுலகத்து மக்கட் கெல்லாம்

This is the starting line for each stanza that means "For all the people who are living in this world surrounded by seas"

1. ஓதலிற் சிறந்தன்று ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை

It’s better to be disciplined than well read without discipline. (We need to understand that there are 2 aspects which are compared and told as to which is better. It should not be construed that the other is bad. It is in the same lines as "Nothing is better than Nonsense")

2. காதலிற் சிறந்தன்று கண்ணஞ்சப் படுதல்

It’s better to be respected than loved. (Our behavior should be respected by all than we being loved without respected behavior.)

3. மேதையிற் சிறந்தன்று கற்றது மறவாமை

It’s better to understand (remember) what is read than reading more and more. (Importance on living by what we learnt is emphasized. I think :))

4. வண்மையிற் சிறந்தன்று வாய்மை உடைமை

It’s better to be honest than rich.

5. இளமையிற் சிறந்தன்று மெய்பிணி யின்மை

It’s better to be healthy (without diseases) than young. Guys like me would lap this line up which sort of mitigates the thought of getting old.) :)

6. நலனுடை மையின் நாணுச் சிறந்தன்று

It’s better to be shy than beautiful. (I think the meaning here is "Being bold and brazen" is not beautiful but staying subtle is beautiful").  

7. குலனுடை மையின் கற்புச் சிறந்தன்று

It’s better to be "Wise" (well read) than belonging to a "royal family"

8. கற்றலின் கற்றாரை வழிபடுதல் சிறந்தன்று

It’s better to respect and praise the wise (educated) than just being "Well read" (Again the emphasis is in humility that one should respect the educated - I think :).)

9. செற்றாரைச் செறுத்தலின் தற்செய்கை சிறந்தன்று

It’s better to win over oneself than win over the enemies. (Win over enemies internal to us).

10. முற்பெரு கலின்பின் சிறுகாமை சிறந்தன்று

It’s better to have a steady than a fluctuating prosperity. (Where the wealth has waned...)

This completes the first 10 out of the 100. I am not sure if i would publish all the 100. Let’s see!

Happy Reading!

PS; Editing in blogger sucks!