Kural #1051
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Tamil text
இரந்தும் உயிர்வாழ்தல் வேண்டின்
பரந்து கெடுக உலகியற்றுக் கண்
Irantum uyirvāḻtal vēṇṭiṉ
Parantu keṭuka ulakiyaṟṟuk kaṇ
English translation
If one desires to live by begging, let the ways of the world perish utterly.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar begins this chapter with a shocking curse: if begging is to be a way of life, then let all social order collapse. This hyperbole emphasizes how degrading begging is considered in Tamil society.
விளக்கம்
இரந்து உயிர் வாழ நினைத்தால், உலகத்தின் ஒழுங்கு கெட்டு அழியட்டும் என்கிறார் வள்ளுவர். யாசகம் கேட்டு வாழ்வது இழிவானது. "இரவு" அதிகாரத்தில், இரப்பதை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- இரந்தும்irantumeven by begging
- உயிர்uyirlife
- வாழ்தல்vāḻtalliving
- வேண்டின்vēṇṭiṉif desired
- பரந்துparantuwidely/utterly
- கெடுகkeṭukalet perish
- உலகுulakuworld
- இயற்றுiyaṟṟunature/ways
- கண்kaṇaspect
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village nestled beside a fertile valley, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled diligently, planting his crops and tending to his land, reaping a harvest that provided for his family. Bala, however, preferred an easier path. He would visit Arun’s farm, praising his success and then, with a mournful face, request a portion of the harvest, claiming hardship. At first, Arun, moved by compassion, shared his bounty. But soon, Bala’s visits became more frequent, his demands larger. Arun's storehouse dwindled, while Bala remained idle, expecting handouts. One year, a fierce storm ravaged the valley. Arun, though affected, still had some reserves from his earlier labor. But Bala, who had relied solely on Arun's generosity, had nothing. He returned to Arun, pleading for aid. Arun, seeing Bala's empty hands and barren field, understood. He offered Bala not grain, but a hoe, showing him the path to his own prosperity.