39. Low class, high class, are they marked on the skin, flesh or bone?

Verse 39

பறைச்சியாவது ஏதடா பணத்தியாவது ஏதடா

இறைச்சிதோல் எலும்பினும் இலக்கமிட்டு இருக்குதோ

பறைச்சிபோகம் வேறதோ பணத்திபோகம் வேறதோ

பறைச்சியும் பணத்தியும் பகுந்து பாரும் உம்முளே

Translation:

Who is a low class woman, who is a rich woman?

Is it marked on the flesh, skin or bones?

Enjoying a low class woman, is it different from enjoying a rich woman?

Low class woman and rich woman, look at them critically within you.

Commentary:

  

This verse is commonly quoted to indicate Civavākkiyar’s intolerance of discrimination which people hold dear.  He says that everyone is basically the same, as there are no physical markings, born of caste, in one’s bone, flesh or skin.

   

Civavākkiyar goes to the extent of saying that enjoying a low class woman and a rich woman are the same.  He further comments that when one looks critically at a rich woman and a low class woman within oneself one would realize that they are none other than limited consciousness which is free from caste, creed and even a particular sex.  Hence, one should shun the evil practice of discriminating people based on their caste.  

Lines 3 and 4 give Civavākkiyar’s famous shock therapy to the readers!