838. Support can be withdrawn

மக்கள்கை யேந்தும் அரசுமக்கள் கைவிடின்மிக்கானும் மண்ணோடு மண்

makkalkai yendum arasumakkal kaividinmikkaanum mannodu man

A ruler stands above the people’s raised hands; when the people let their hands drop, even the mightiest is earth among earth.

839. Following before the call

ஆயன் குழலுக்கு முன்னமே ஆநிரைபோயிருக்கும் நெஞ்சம் தொடர்ந்து

aayan kuzhalukku munname aaniraipoyirukkum nenjam thodarndu

Even before the herdsman’s flute, the herd will have set out, following his heart.

A herdsman’s flute calls the cattle out to pasture. In Tamil the heart (nenjam) is the seat of both feeling and intent.

840. Drawn towards shared purpose

ஊசியின் வேட்கை யுணர்ந்த துகளெலாம்பேசா தொருதிசை நோக்கு

oosiyin vedkai yunarnda thukalelaampesaa thorudhisai nokku

All the specks that have felt the magnetised needle’s longing gaze one way, without a word.

Iron filings near a magnetised needle feel its pull and settle into lines, all pointing the same way.