Kural #126
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Tamil text
ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின்
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து
Orumaiyuḷ āmaipōl aintaṭakkal āṟṟiṉ
Eḻumaiyum ēmāp puṭaittu
English translation
If one can withdraw the five senses like a tortoise withdraws its limbs, that protection will last through seven births.
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Explanation
The beautiful tortoise metaphor: just as a tortoise pulls its head and four limbs into its shell for protection, a wise person withdraws the five senses from worldly distractions. This discipline protects one across multiple lifetimes.
விளக்கம்
திருக்குறள் 126 சொல்கிறது: ஆமை தன் உறுப்புகளை ஓட்டுக்குள் அடக்குவதுபோல், ஐம்புலன்களை அடக்கினால், அது ஏழு பிறவிக்கும் பாதுகாப்பு தரும். அடக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், புலனடக்கம் மிக முக்கியம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். இது பிறவிதோறும் நன்மையைத் தரும்.
Word meanings
- ஒருமையுள்orumaiyuḷin one birth/moment
- ஆமைāmaitortoise
- போல்pōllike
- ஐந்துaintufive (senses)
- அடக்கல்aṭakkalrestraining
- ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉif able
- எழுமையும்eḻumaiyumthrough seven births
- ஏமாப்புēmāppuprotection
- உடைத்துuṭaittuwill have
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Both were skilled archers, but Arun was known for his quick temper and impulsive nature. Bala, however, possessed a quiet patience, always measured in his actions. One day, a fearsome boar ravaged their fields. Arun, consumed by rage, immediately gave chase, heedless of the boar's cunning. He stumbled, his arrow missing its mark. The boar turned, tusks bared, and Arun barely escaped with his life. Bala, meanwhile, saw the damage. He knew the boar would return. He carefully studied the beast’s habits, setting traps and waiting patiently. When the boar reappeared, Bala calmly released his arrow, striking true. The village rejoiced. Arun, humbled, understood the strength found not in rashness, but in control.