Tirukkural - On Virtue - The Glory Of Renunciation - Kural 22

1. Turantar perumai tunaikkuurin vaiyatthu
   irantarai ennikkon tarru.

The greatness of 'neethar' is infinite, as is the number, of those
who have departed from this world..

In fact, the implication is that the job of recounting the glory of 'neethar' is impossible. For each one of them has overcome the five senses and controlled desire, which is achieving a miracle. The Bhagvad Gita itself would say that, 'overcoming the five senses and bringing them effectively under control, while concentrating the mind on Me, would lead to divine knowledge'. No higher compliment could be paid by anybody to renunciation. That is why Valluvar thought it fit to say, that it is just as impracticable to list out the fame of 'neethar,' after the manner of the poetically conceived list headed by Abou Ben Adhem as to make out a roster of all the deceased of this world.

A parallel occurs in Maduraikanchi as follows:

Thiraiyidu manalinum palarae urai cela

Malarthalai ulakam aandu kazindhaarae