106.2 Begging

 106.2 Begging

(106.2இரவு)

 

Question:

                Can the one who begs get angry?

Answer:

When denied charity, one should not get angry at anybody.

His own misery of poverty should be sufficient proof for him

to understand the vicissitudes of fortune.                                                          (Couplet -1060)

 

இரப்பான் வெகுளாமை வேண்டும் நிரப்பிடும்பை

தானேயும் சாலும் கரி.                                                                                   (குறள் – 1060)

 

Explanation:

                Valluvar is a staunch proponent of charity. At the same time, he strongly criticizes the reaction of getting angry at any refusal for help. It is the rich man’s duty to give when somebody asks for something he can afford to give. But if the rich man refuses to help, it is his fault. The one who begs should realize that he is begging due to certain unavoidable circumstances. Similarly, the rich man may be in difficult situations, and therefore, he is unable to help. So, the one who begs should remind himself that his own situation is sufficient proof that fortunes fluctuate.