Kural #162
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Tamil text
விழுப்பேற்றின் அஃதொப்பது இல்லையார் மாட்டும்
அழுக்காற்றின் அன்மை பெறின்
Viḻuppēṟṟiṉ aḵtoppatu illaiyār māṭṭum
Aḻukkāṟṟiṉ aṉmai peṟiṉ
English translation
There is no greater excellence than being free from envy towards anyone.
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Explanation
Among all virtues and achievements, freedom from envy is supreme. This includes not envying anyone at all - rich or poor, successful or struggling. Complete absence of envy is rare and precious.
விளக்கம்
பிறர் உயர்வைப் பார்த்து பொறாமை கொள்ளாமல் இருப்பது மிகச் சிறந்த குணம். "அழுக்காறாமை" அதிகாரத்தில், யார் மீதும் பொறாமை இல்லாமல் இருந்தால் அதைவிட பெரிய நன்மை வேறில்லை. இதுவே அறம் கூறும் நீதி.
Word meanings
- விழுப்பேறுviḻuppēṟuexcellence/achievement
- அஃதுaḵtuthat
- ஒப்பதுoppatuequal to
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- யார்yāranyone
- மாட்டும்māṭṭumtowards
- அழுக்காறுaḻukkāṟuenvy
- அன்மைaṉmaiabsence
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtained
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two potters, Elara and Kael. Elara, with nimble fingers, crafted beautiful, intricate vessels that the wealthy merchants adored. Kael, though equally skilled, created simpler pots for everyday use. He often watched Elara's customers admire her work, their faces alight with delight. One day, a royal emissary arrived, commissioning Elara to create a magnificent vase for the king. Kael, seeing the opportunity, could have felt a pang of longing. He might have wished for such recognition, such wealth. Instead, he smiled, offering Elara a helping hand with the heavy clay. He knew his own skill, and that his purpose was to create the best pots he could. As Elara worked, Kael continued his own craft, humming a cheerful tune. When the emissary departed with the vase, he congratulated Elara with a genuine smile. Soon, the entire village knew of the king's new vase, and of Kael's unyielding happiness for Elara.