Kural #176
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Tamil text
அருள்வெஃகி ஆற்றின்கண் நின்றான்
பொருள்வெஃகிப் பொல்லாத சூழக் கெடும்
Aruḷveḵki āṟṟiṉkaṇ niṉṟāṉ
Poruḷveḵkip pollāta cūḻak keṭum
English translation
He who desires grace and stands in the path of virtue will be ruined if he covets wealth and plans evil.
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Explanation
A warning to the spiritually inclined: one cannot seek divine grace (அருள்) while coveting material wealth (பொருள்). Planning evil schemes for wealth destroys spiritual progress.
விளக்கம்
அருள் வேண்டி அறவழியில் நிற்பவன், பொருளாசை கொண்டு தீய எண்ணம் கொண்டால் கெடுவான். வெஃகாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, ஆசை அழிவைத் தரும். அறமும் பொருளும் எதிரெதிர்.
Word meanings
- அருள்aruḷgrace/compassion
- வெஃகிveḵkidesiring
- ஆற்றின்கண்āṟṟiṉkaṇin the path of virtue
- நின்றான்niṉṟāṉone who stood
- பொருள்poruḷwealth
- பொல்லாதpollātaevil
- சூழcūḻaplanning
- கெடும்keṭumwill perish
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a kind weaver named Arul. He was known for his beautiful tapestries and generous heart. Many sought his blessings, for his life was a testament to simple goodness. Yet, a merchant named Pori, envious of Arul's growing reputation, desired his peaceful life. Pori, greedy for the respect Arul garnered, devised a plan. He spread rumors, hoping to tarnish Arul's name and steal his customers. He even secretly plotted to damage Arul’s loom, hoping to cripple his work. But as Pori executed his schemes, a strange unease settled upon him. His sleep became restless, and his days were filled with anxiety. The villagers, once friendly, now avoided him. Soon, the very wealth he craved felt like a heavy burden, a constant reminder of his wicked deeds. His life, once filled with ambition, was now barren of joy.