107.1 Fear of Begging

 107.1 Fear of Begging

(107.1 இரவச்சம்)

 

Question:

                 Is it the creator’s intent that some people should earn their livelihood by begging?

Answer:

If the creator had intended that some people should earn their living

by begging, then he himself should wander and perish.                                  (Couplet – 1062)

 

இரந்தும் உயிர்வாழ்தல் வேண்டின் பரந்து

கெடுக உலகியற்றி யான்.                                                                             (குறள் – 1062)

 

Explanation:

                In Couplet 1062, Valluvar expresses his strong condemnation of the Creator by saying that if He had intended that some people should have to beg to live, he should wander and perish. This Couplet is actually a criticism against those who believe that some people live by begging because it is their destiny. Valluvar has already stated in Couplet 620 that people who work hard with ceaseless industry will overcome the obstacles created by fate. So, Valluvar is a strong proponent of hard work and not the power of fate. In Couplet 544, Valluvar says that the world will respect the king who rules justly for the welfare of the people. If the king (or the modern-day ruler) has the welfare of the people in mind, then he will provide suitable employment opportunities for his citizens. If employment opportunities are provided, and people work hard, there is no excuse for anybody to beg for a living. Therefore, no one is really destined to beg for his livelihood.