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Kural #143

Virtue· அறம்Not Coveting Another's Wife· பிறனில் விழையாமை

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Tamil text

விளிந்தாரின் வேறல்லர் மன்ற

தெளிந்தாரில் தீமை புரிந்தொழுகு வார்

Viḷintāriṉ vēṟallar maṉṟa

Teḷintāril tīmai purintoḻuku vār

English translation

Those who do evil to a trusting friend are no different from the dead.

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Explanation

When someone trusts you completely (தெளிந்தார்) and you betray that trust with evil actions, you are as good as dead. The betrayer of trust loses their humanity. This applies especially to violating the trust between married couples and their friends.

விளக்கம்

பிறனில் விழையாமை அதிகாரத்தில், நம்பிக்கை வைத்தவர்க்குத் தீங்கு செய்பவர் இறந்தவர்க்குச் சமம். அவர் மனிதத்தன்மையே இழந்தவர். துரோகம் செய்வது பெரும் பாவம். பிறர் மனைவியை விரும்புவதும் இதில் அடங்கும்.

Word meanings

  • விளிந்தாரின்viḷintāriṉfrom the dead
  • வேறல்லர்vēṟallarare not different
  • மன்றmaṉṟaindeed/certainly
  • தெளிந்தார்teḷintārthose who trust
  • இல்ilin/towards
  • தீமைtīmaievil
  • புரிந்துpurintudoing
  • ஒழுகுவார்oḻukuvārthose who conduct

Story behind this kural

In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering lake lived two friends, Arun and Bala. They shared everything: laughter, hardship, and the simple joys of life. Arun, a skilled carpenter, was married to the kind and beautiful Priya. Bala, a merchant, often visited their home, sharing stories and enjoying Priya's warm hospitality. One day, consumed by a dark desire, Bala began to act dishonestly towards Priya. He spoke sweet words, hoping to gain her affection. Priya, trusting in their long friendship, was deeply hurt and confused by his actions, but remained true to her husband. When Arun discovered his friend’s betrayal, his heart shattered. He could not comprehend how Bala could so easily destroy the bonds of friendship and trust they had built. The village soon whispered of Bala’s shame. Though Bala still walked among them, his spirit was forever lost. He was now a ghost, living among the living, with no true friends, and no true peace.