Orumaiyul aamai pol aindhadakkal aatrin
Ezhumaiyum eenum oru pirappu.
If one can restrain the five senses in a single lifetime — like a tortoise withdrawing its five limbs — one attains the benefits of seven births.
ஒரு பிறப்பில் ஆமை போல் ஐந்து புலன்களையும் அடக்கினால், ஏழு பிறப்புகளின் பயனையும் பெறலாம்.
The tortoise withdraws all five limbs into its shell for protection — this is the model of sense withdrawal. One who achieves this in a single lifetime earns the merit of seven lifetimes. Sense-restraint is the highest spiritual practice, condensing lifetimes of spiritual progress into one disciplined life.