58.1 Gracious Compassion

 58.1 Gracious Compassion

Question:

          What makes the world exist?

Answer:

          The world exists because of the great and

beautiful quality called compassion exists.        (Couplet – 571)

கண்ணோட்டம் என்னும் கழிபெருங் காரிகை

உண்மையான் உண்டிவ் வுலகு.                         (குறள் – 571)

Explanation:

         When a person is accused of a crime, the nature and the circumstances under which he committed the crime must be investigated thoroughly. If there were any extenuating circumstances that led him to commit the crime, they should also be considered. Punishment must be proportionate to the severity of the crime. Also, if there is any chance of reforming him, that should be considered. The person who has the authority to punish the criminal should exercise as much compassion as possible and lean toward reforming the criminal into a useful, law-abiding citizen. Valluvar believes that this type of compassion is necessary for the world to exist.