Kural #183
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Tamil text
புறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின்
சாதல் அறங்கூறும் ஆக்கத் தரும்
Puṟaṅkūṟip poyttuyir vāḻtaliṉ
Cātal aṟaṅkūṟum ākkat tarum
English translation
Death is better than living by backbiting and deception; death would bring the prosperity of virtue.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar makes a strong statement: death is preferable to a life sustained by gossip and deceit. An honorable death brings spiritual reward; a dishonorable life does not.
விளக்கம்
புறம்பேசிக் கெட்ட வாழ்க்கை வாழ்வதைவிட இறப்பதே மேல். ஏனென்றால், புறங்கூறாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நேர்மையான சாவு அறத்தைக் கொடுக்கும்; அதுவே சிறந்த செல்வம். பிறரைப் பற்றித் தவறாகப் பேசுவது பாவம்.
Word meanings
- புறம்puṟambehind
- கூறிkūṟispeaking
- பொய்த்துpoyttudeceiving
- உயிர்uyirlife
- வாழ்தலின்vāḻtaliṉthan living
- சாதல்cātaldying
- அறம்aṟamvirtue
- கூறும்kūṟumspeaks of
- ஆக்கம்ākkamprosperity
- தரும்tarumgives
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two sisters, Anya and Zara. Anya was known for her kindness; Zara, for her sharp tongue and fondness for gossip. One day, a traveling merchant arrived, displaying beautiful silks. Zara, envious of a neighbor’s new gown, whispered to the villagers that the merchant’s silks were cheap imitations, hoping to ruin his trade. The merchant, disheartened, packed his wares and prepared to leave. That night, a storm raged. Lightning struck the village well, poisoning the water. The villagers panicked, desperate for a clean source. Anya, without hesitation, shared her family’s well, saving many lives. Zara, however, found herself shunned, her words now seen as poisonous as the tainted water. The merchant, hearing of Anya’s generosity, returned and gifted her the finest silk, a symbol of true worth.