Kural #180
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Tamil text
இறலீனும் எண்ணாது வெஃகின்
விறல்ஈனும் வேண்டாமை என்னுஞ் செருக்கு
Iṟalīṉum eṇṇātu veḵkiṉ
Viṟalīṉum vēṇṭāmai என்னுஞ் cerukku
English translation
Thoughtless coveting brings ruin; the pride of not coveting brings victory.
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Explanation
Covetousness without reflection destroys (இறல்); the noble pride (செருக்கு) of non-covetousness brings triumph (விறல்). The chapter closes with a clear contrast between two paths and their outcomes.
விளக்கம்
பிறர் பொருளை விரும்பினால் அழிவு வரும். "வெஃகாமை" அதிகாரத்தின்படி, எதையும் வேண்டாமென்ற மனத்திண்மை வெற்றியைக் கொடுக்கும். ஆசை இல்லாமல் இருப்பது பெருமை தரும். இதுவே அறம்.
Word meanings
- இறல்iṟalruin/death
- ஈனும்īṉumbrings/gives
- எண்ணாதுeṇṇātuwithout thinking
- வெஃகின்veḵkiṉif coveting
- விறல்viṟalvictory
- வேண்டாமைvēṇṭāmainot wanting
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
- செருக்குcerukkupride/dignity
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, though possessing a small plot, constantly eyed Bala's flourishing fields, filled with ripe, golden grains. He longed for Bala's bounty, imagining himself richer, envying every harvest. One day, consumed by his desire, Arun snuck into Bala’s fields, hoping to steal a portion of the harvest. As he reached for the heavy stalks, a sudden storm erupted. The wind howled, the rain lashed down, and Arun, caught in the open, lost his way, his own meager crops destroyed by the tempest. Meanwhile, Bala, content with his own lot, had prepared for the storm. He secured his harvest and helped his neighbors. When the storm passed, he found his fields mostly unharmed. He shared his harvest generously with those in need, including a humbled Arun, who now understood the true value of contentment.