Kural #134
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Tamil text
மறப்பினும் ஓத்துக் கொளலாகும்
பார்ப்பான் பிறப்பொழுக்கங் குன்றக் கெடும்
Maṟappiṉum ōttuk koḷalākum
Pārppāṉ piṟappoḻukkaṅ kuṉṟak keṭum
English translation
If one forgets the Vedas, they can be relearned; but if one's conduct declines, their high birth is destroyed.
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Explanation
Even sacred learning (ஓத்து - Vedas) can be recovered if forgotten. But once conduct deteriorates, the nobility of high birth is permanently lost. Knowledge can be regained; character once lost is harder to restore.
விளக்கம்
மறந்த வேதத்தை திரும்ப கத்துக்கலாம். ஆனா, ஒழுக்கம் கெட்டா, உயர்ந்த பிறப்பால பெருமை போயிடும். ஒழுக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்துல இது முக்கியம். படிப்பு திரும்பக் கிடைக்கும், ஆனா நல்ல குணம் முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- மறப்பினும்maṟappiṉumeven if forgotten
- ஓத்துōttuVedas/sacred texts
- கொளல்koḷalto regain
- ஆகும்ākumis possible
- பார்ப்பான்pārppāṉbrahmin/learned one
- பிறப்புpiṟappubirth
- ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamconduct
- குன்றkuṉṟaif it declines
- கெடும்keṭumwill be ruined
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two brothers, both sons of the esteemed village elder. The elder brother, Arun, was a scholar, learned in the ancient texts. He could recite verses for hours. The younger, Bala, was known for his kindness, always helping others. One day, Arun, consumed by pride in his knowledge, began to treat others with disdain. He forgot the lessons of compassion he had once known. He spent his days arguing and belittling those around him. Bala, meanwhile, though less formally educated, continued to live with humility and generosity. He offered aid to the sick, shared his food, and listened patiently to everyone’s woes. Years passed. Arun, despite his vast knowledge, became isolated. No one sought his company. Bala, on the other hand, was loved and respected by all. When the village faced a crisis, it was Bala’s wisdom and compassion, not Arun’s learned recitations, that guided them to safety.