Kural #173
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Tamil text
சிற்றின்பம் வெஃகி அறன்அல்ல செய்யாரே
மற்றின்பம் வேண்டு பவர்
Ciṟṟiṉpam veḵki aṟaṉalla ceyyārē
Maṟṟiṉpam vēṇṭu pavar
English translation
Those who desire the greater bliss will not do unvirtuous deeds for the sake of petty pleasures.
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Explanation
A contrast between சிற்றின்பம் (small pleasures) and மற்றின்பம் (other/greater bliss - spiritual liberation). Those seeking lasting happiness will not compromise virtue for temporary gains.
விளக்கம்
சிற்றின்ப ஆசைப்பட்டு அறம் தவறிய செயல்களை செய்யாதவரே, நிலையான பேரின்பத்தை விரும்புவர். வெஃகாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, அற்ப சந்தோஷங்களுக்காக பேராசைப்படாமல் இருப்பது முக்கியம். இது தற்காலிக இன்பத்தைவிட அறமே உயர்ந்தது என்பதை உணர்த்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- சிற்றின்பம்ciṟṟiṉpamsmall/petty pleasures
- வெஃகிveḵkicoveting
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- அல்லallanot
- செய்யார்ceyyārwill not do
- மற்றின்பம்maṟṟiṉpamother/greater bliss
- வேண்டுபவர்vēṇṭupavarthose who desire
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled tirelessly, content with his modest harvest, sharing generously with his neighbors. Bala, however, craved riches. He saw a merchant's caravan laden with jewels and desired the same. One day, the village elder announced a contest: the farmer who grew the finest crop would receive a prize of gold. Bala, eager for wealth, secretly poisoned Arun's field, hoping to eliminate his competition. His own crops flourished, untouched by the poison. When the judges arrived, Bala's harvest was indeed impressive. But as they examined the crops more closely, they noticed a strange, bitter taste. Further investigation revealed Bala's deceit. He was stripped of his prize and banished from the village. Arun, despite his ruined field, remained, his integrity intact. He was praised for his kindness, and the villagers helped him rebuild his farm, which eventually yielded a bountiful harvest.