Kural #159
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Tamil text
துறந்தாரின் தூய்மை உடையர்
இறந்தார்வாய் இன்னாச்சொல் நோற்கிற் பவர்
Tuṟantāriṉ tūymai uṭaiyar
Iṟantārvāy iṉṉāccol nōṟkiṟ pavar
English translation
Those who endure bitter words from those who exceed limits possess purity equal to ascetics who have renounced the world.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar elevates forbearance to the level of renunciation. Ascetics (துறந்தார்) are considered pure for giving up worldly pleasures. Those who bear harsh words achieve the same spiritual purity while living in the world.
விளக்கம்
பொறையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், துறவிகள் உலக ஆசைகளை விட்டதால் அடையும் தூய்மையை, பிறர் பேசும் கடுஞ்சொற்களைப் பொறுத்துக்கொள்பவர்கள் அடைகிறார்கள் என்கிறது. பொறுமை, துறவுக்குச் சமம். பிறர் தவறாகப் பேசினாலும் பொறுத்தால் நன்மை விளையும்.
Word meanings
- துறந்தார்tuṟantārascetics/renouncers
- தூய்மைtūymaipurity
- உடையர்uṭaiyarpossess
- இறந்தார்iṟantārthose who exceed limits
- வாய்vāymouth
- இன்னாiṉṉābitter/harsh
- சொல்colwords
- நோற்கிற்பவர்nōṟkiṟpavarthose who endure
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village lived a humble potter named Kumar. His hands shaped clay into beautiful vessels, admired by all. A wealthy merchant, known for his sharp tongue, often visited Kumar's stall, criticizing his work with cruel words. "These pots are clumsy! Your colors are dull!" he'd sneer. Kumar, however, would simply smile and offer the merchant a cup of water from one of his finest creations. The merchant would grumble, yet still drink. One day, a wise traveler observed this. He asked Kumar, "Why do you endure this man's insults with such grace?" Kumar replied, "The sun does not cease to shine because a cloud obscures it. Likewise, I will not let his words darken my spirit. My work is my response." The traveler, pondering this, continued on his journey. He noticed how the merchant's harsh words eventually lost their sting, his complaints becoming less frequent, while Kumar's reputation for kindness and skill grew steadily in the village.