Kural #103
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Tamil text
பயன்தூக்கார் செய்த உதவி
நயன்தூக்கின் நன்மை கடலின் பெரிது
Payaṉtūkkār ceyta utavi
Nayaṉtūkkiṉ naṉmai kaṭaliṉ peritu
English translation
If one weighs the goodness of help given without expecting any return, its worth is greater than the ocean.
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Explanation
When someone helps without calculating personal benefit, that pure act of kindness has boundless value. The ocean, vast as it is, cannot match the depth of such selfless generosity. This kural celebrates the nobility of unconditional giving.
விளக்கம்
பயன் கருதாமல் செய்யும் உதவி மிக உயர்ந்தது. அதன் மதிப்பு கடலை விடப் பெரியது. செய்ந்நன்றி அறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், பிறர் செய்த உதவிக்கு நன்றி செலுத்த வேண்டும் என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது. சுயநலமில்லா உதவிக்கு ஈடு இணை இல்லை.
Word meanings
- பயன்payaṉbenefit/return
- தூக்கார்tūkkārwithout weighing/expecting
- செய்தceytadone
- உதவிutavihelp
- நயன்nayaṉgoodness/worth
- தூக்கின்tūkkiṉif weighed
- நன்மைnaṉmaigoodness
- கடலின்kaṭaliṉthan the ocean
- பெரிதுperituis greater
Story behind this kural
The old fisherman, Elan, often mended nets for the village without asking for payment. Some whispered he was foolish, but Elan simply smiled, enjoying the feel of the woven twine. One stormy season, the sea raged, and a merchant ship was caught in the tempest. The villagers scrambled to help, but the waves were too strong. Elan, without hesitation, launched his small boat, risking his life. He guided the ship to safety, working tirelessly through the night. The grateful captain showered the villagers with gifts. He offered Elan gold, a grand house, anything he desired. Elan refused everything. "Your safety is reward enough," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The captain, bewildered, insisted. Finally, Elan asked only for a single, small seashell, a memento of the rescue. He returned to his humble hut, the seashell clutched in his hand, content. The ship sailed away, and the villagers, watching Elan, understood something profound.