Back to Library
Kural No. 554 · Wealth (Porul) · Ch 56

The Cruel Sceptre

கொடுங்கோன்மை
Original Kural · ஓலைச்சுவடி
கூழுங் குடியும் ஒருங்கிழக்கும் கோல்கோடிச்
சூழாது செய்யும் அரசு.

Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich / Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu

Classical English couplet — “Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse,At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose”

Read this Kural in your own language
Choose from 26 languages · narrated with native voice
A
Simple English Meaning

What it says in plain words

“The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects

B
எளிய தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Simple Tamil Interpretation

The classical Tamil reading

(ஆட்சிமுறை கெட்டுக்) கொடுங்கோலனாகி ஆராயாமல் எதையும் செய்யும் அரசன், பொருளையும் குடிகளையும் ஒரு சேர இழந்து விடுவான்.

C
ஆழமான தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Deeper Tamil Commentary

An expanded Tamil interpretation

நாட்டுநிலை ஆராயாமல் கொடுங்கோல் புரியும் அரசு, நிதி ஆதாரத்தையும் மக்களின் மதிப்பையும் இழந்துவிடும்

AI Companion · Inscribing the English commentary…

Claude is reading the verified Tamil and classical English text and writing the deeper meaning, examples, applications, a leadership lesson and a reflection question. Once, then cached for everyone.

Thirukkural Wisdom

Ancient Tamil wisdom — made simple, practical and useful for the modern world, in your own language.

Disclaimer

This application provides educational explanations of the Thirukkural. English meanings and AI-assisted explanations are intended to make the text easier to understand. Classical texts can have multiple valid interpretations.

Thirukkural Wisdom for the World·Timeless Tamil couplets for global minds·© 2026
Choose your language
Tamil & English are always shown · pick a third language

Every Kural is presented in Tamil and English by default. If you'd like a third language alongside, choose one below. You can change or remove it anytime.

You can change this anytime from the globe button in the header.