Kural #161
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஒழுக்காறாக் கொள்க ஒருவன்தன் நெஞ்சத்து
அழுக்காறு இலாத இயல்பு
Oḻukkāṟāk koḷka oruvaṉtaṉ neñcattu
Aḻukkāṟu ilāta iyalpu
English translation
Let one consider it as the highest virtue to keep one's heart free from envy.
Listen
Explanation
Thiruvalluvar opens this chapter by defining freedom from envy as the foundation of virtuous conduct (ஒழுக்காறு). Envy pollutes the heart; freedom from it is a fundamental moral quality.
விளக்கம்
ஒருவன் தன் மனதில் பொறாமை இல்லாமல் இருப்பதே சிறந்த ஒழுக்கம். பொறாமை இல்லாமல் இருப்பது அறத்தின் அடிப்படை. இது அழுக்காறாமை அதிகாரத்தில் வள்ளுவர் கூறும் முக்கிய நீதி. பொறாமையை விட்டு நல்ல பண்புகளை வளர்த்துக் கொள்.
Word meanings
- ஒழுக்காறுoḻukkāṟuvirtuous conduct
- ஆகākaas
- கொள்கkoḷkaconsider/accept
- ஒருவன்oruvaṉone
- தன்taṉone's own
- நெஞ்சத்துneñcattuin the heart
- அழுக்காறுaḻukkāṟuenvy
- இலாதilātawithout
- இயல்புiyalpunature/character
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vibrant river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled tirelessly, yet his harvest was often meager. Bala, with seemingly less effort, always reaped a bountiful crop. Arun observed Bala's success, a knot of discontent tightening in his chest. One day, a terrible storm ravaged the village. Arun's crops were destroyed. He watched, heavy-hearted, as Bala's fields, remarkably, remained untouched, still full of grain. Arun braced himself for the joy he expected to see in his neighbor. Instead, Bala approached him, offering a portion of his harvest, saying, "We are neighbors, and we must help each other." Arun was surprised by Bala's generosity. Together, they worked, sharing the grain. Arun, watching Bala’s calm demeanor, realized his envy had only brought him bitterness. From that day forward, Arun cultivated not only his fields, but also a new, open heart.