INTRODUCTION TO
THE STUDY OF TIRUVALLUVAR
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A Lecture by Prof.Avvai Duraisami Pillai
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Part – 69
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போற்றின் அரியவை போற்றல் கடுத்தபின்
தேற்றுதல் யார்க்கும் அரிது. (71)
Of all the intellectual equipment of these officers the capacity of reading one’s hidden intentions from one’s face, according to Valluvar, is an ornament to himself and to the kings’ court and the particular talented officer is considered to be a divine being in human frame. As direct recruitment to services was in vogue, the men of divine talents were appointed to attractively higher salary. Valluvar is of opinion that the reading of human faces and divining the intentions concealed in the mind can be acquired by proper training. Human faces are like reflecting crystals capable of exposing the nature of the contents of the mind within. Valluvar declares that face being the index of the mind, a sharp look at the face will be enough for the diviner to read the under-current running in the mind. As a sure weapon of safeguard as well as defence, the kings have to be well trained in the study of facial expressions of people whom he comes across very often.
Another important requisite of ministers is a sound knowledge of the procedure and conduct of business in the council of the state. When the house is ready for business, the consensus of the opinion of the members must be judged beforehand, and the subject must be introduced. In addressing the council, the language of each member has to be polite and decent; every word must be weighed and nothing superfluous. Uncouth and faulty language will not only fall flat but pull down the personal honour and respect of the member. In this connection, Valluvar says, self restraint and voluntary silence must be carefully maintained. One’s power of judgment and brilliance of expression will be recognized and appreciated in an assembly of enlightened members, but it will be casting pearls before the swine if the audience is uncultured and illiterate. Thoughts delivered in an audience of wise men become well possessed. There are some who become afraid and feel shy when they are required to address an assembly of learned men. But these defects can be rectified if they, are trained properly in the art of eloquence. Taking part in the deliberations of an enlightened assembly affords beautiful opportunity to acquire more and more of the ever extending knowledge. It is the duty of the ministers to learn the art of dialectics through the study of logic so as to refute fearlessly the arguments advanced by the members of opposition. No purpose will be served by keeping all authentic records on hand if the member shudders at the sight of. the council. This may be due to his nervousness and want of dialectical skill. Such persons, however highly learned, will be considered worse and their presence in the assembly will be useless.
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