Kural #148
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Tamil text
பிறன்மனை நோக்காத பேராண்மை
சான்றோர்க்கு அறனொன்றோ ஆன்ற ஒழுக்கு
Piṟaṉmaṉai nōkkāta pērāṇmai
Cāṉṟōrkku aṟaṉoṉṟō āṉṟa oḻukku
English translation
The great manliness of not looking at another's wife is not just virtue for the noble - it is their complete code of conduct.
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Explanation
True manliness (பேராண்மை) means not even looking with desire at another's wife. For the noble (சான்றோர்), this is not merely one virtue among many but their entire way of life (ஆன்ற ஒழுக்கு - complete conduct).
விளக்கம்
பிறன் மனைவியை விரும்பாத மன உறுதி பெருமை தரும். அது சான்றோர்க்கு ஒரு அறம் மட்டுமல்ல; அவர்களின் சிறந்த ஒழுக்கத்தின் அடையாளம். பிறர் மனைவியை நாடாமல் இருப்பது நற்பண்பு, ஒழுக்கத்தின் அடிப்படை.
Word meanings
- பிறன்piṟaṉanother's
- மனைmaṉaiwife/home
- நோக்காதnōkkātanot looking at
- பேராண்மைpērāṇmaigreat manliness
- சான்றோர்க்குcāṉṟōrkkufor the noble
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- ஒன்றோoṉṟōis it just one
- ஆன்றāṉṟacomplete
- ஒழுக்குoḻukkuconduct
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a respected farmer named Arul. His fields yielded bountiful harvests, and his home was filled with the warmth of his loving wife and children. One day, a wealthy merchant, known for his lavish lifestyle, arrived in the village. He admired Arul's beautiful wife, often casting lingering glances in her direction. The merchant hosted grand feasts, inviting the villagers, including Arul and his family. During these gatherings, he would shower Arul's wife with compliments and expensive gifts. Arul, though noticing the merchant's attentions, remained unaffected. He treated the merchant with courtesy, but his gaze always returned to his wife, his heart content with her presence. One season, a terrible drought struck the village. The merchant, having hoarded his wealth, remained unaffected. He offered to help, but only if he could take Arul's land. Arul refused, choosing to weather the hardship alongside his community. Though his fields withered, his family remained close, their bond unbroken. The merchant, despite his wealth, remained alone.