Translation of Sri P.B. Annangaracharyar Swami's Commentary

Shloka 3:
jvalatu jaladhikroda krIdat krupIda bhavaprabhA
pratibhata patujvAlAmAlAkulo jaTharAnala: |
truNamapi vayam sAyam sampulla mallimatallikA
parimaLamucA vAcA yAcAmahe na mahIscvarAn ||

Meaning:
Like the huge fire that burns inside the ocean, let this fire known as hunger, that eats everything given to it, burn inside. We will not ask for even a blade of grass from the kings using our words which have the fragrance of the just blossomed evening jasmine.

Sri PBA Swami's Commentary:
There is a belief that a giant fire burns deep inside the ocean. In fact, some even say that that's the reason why the ocean stays within its boundaries. Similar to that fire, let the fire within our stomachs (jATharAgni) burn well. That is, we may suffer from the greatest pangs of hunger. Even in that stage, we will not give our sweet poems to anyone but the Lord ("en nAvilin kavi yAnoruvarkkum kodukkakillEn"). Our words, which have to celebrated as much as one would celebrate the wonderful fragrance of the newly blossomed jasmine flower, cannot be given to anyone but Him. We will not use our rare words and beg for even the smallest thing.

Since the subject being discussed is the Lord, it is acceptable to praise one's own words. This will not fall under the category of false pride.