Kural #114
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Tamil text
தக்கார் தகவிலர் என்பது
அவரவர் எச்சத்தாற் காணப் படும்
Takkār takavilar eṉpatu
Avaravar eccattāṟ kāṇap paṭum
English translation
Whether one is worthy or unworthy will be seen through what they leave behind for posterity.
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Explanation
A person's true character is revealed by their legacy - what they leave for their descendants. The just leave lasting blessings; the unjust leave curses. எச்சம் (posterity/legacy) becomes the ultimate judge of one's life.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமை அதிகாரத்தில், ஒருத்தர் நல்லவரா கெட்டவரான்னு அவங்க விட்டுப்போன பின்னாடி அவங்க சந்ததியினர் எப்படி இருக்காங்கன்னு பார்த்தாலே தெரிஞ்சுடும். நல்லவங்க நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை விட்டுட்டு போவாங்க; கெட்டவங்க கஷ்டத்தை விட்டுட்டு போவாங்க. இதுதான் நீதி.
Word meanings
- தக்கார்takkārthe worthy
- தகவிலர்takavilarthe unworthy
- என்பதுeṉpatuthat which is called
- அவரவர்avaravareach person's
- எச்சத்தால்eccattālby their posterity/legacy
- காணப்படும்kāṇappaṭumwill be seen
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, old Elara and young Kael. Elara, known for his harsh dealings, amassed a vast fortune through shrewd trades. He built a grand house, but the villagers whispered of his unfair practices. Kael, though poorer, treated everyone with kindness, sharing his meager harvest and helping those in need. He lived in a simple hut, content with little. Years passed. Elara, his health failing, passed away. His house stood empty, his fortune soon squandered by distant relatives. The villagers spoke of his greed, and his name faded from memory. Kael, on the other hand, was fondly remembered. His small plot of land, now tended by grateful neighbors, yielded bountiful harvests. A small shrine, built in his honor, stood by the river, a testament to his generosity. Even generations later, his name was spoken with respect, a reminder of the good he had sown.