Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

“To Behold a Good Person” from Avvaiyar’s Moothurai | நல்லாரைக் காண்பதுவும் நன்றே

A poem about staying close to goodness, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.

To behold a good person is good. To hear
His words full of goodness is good.
                                                           To speak
Of a good person’s character is good. Good
To find a place in his company.

Moothurai 8, “Nallarai kanbathum nandre.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles