Kural #208
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Tamil text
தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல்
நிழல்தன்னை வீயாது அடிஉறைந் தற்று
Tīyavai ceytār keṭutal
Niḻaltaṉṉai vīyātu aṭiuṟain taṟṟu
English translation
The ruin of those who do evil is as certain as the shadow that never leaves the feet.
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Explanation
Just as your shadow follows you everywhere you go, the consequences of evil deeds follow the evildoer. Destruction is inevitable.
விளக்கம்
தீய செயல்கள் செய்தவர்களை அழிவு நிழல் போல் தொடரும். நிழல் நம்மை விட்டுப் போகாது காலடியில் இருப்பது போல, தீவினையின் விளைவு விடாது துரத்தும். தீவினையச்சம் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். கெடுதல் நிச்சயம் என்பதை உணர்ந்து தீமை செய்யாமல் இருக்க வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- தீயவைtīyavaievil deeds
- செய்தார்ceytārthose who did
- கெடுதல்keṭutaldestruction
- நிழல்niḻalshadow
- தன்னைtaṉṉaiitself
- வீயாதுvīyātuwithout leaving
- அடிaṭifeet
- உறைந்தற்றுuṟaintaṟṟulike staying with
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Karthi. He was known for his swift axe and even swifter temper. One day, fueled by anger, Karthi secretly poisoned his neighbor's well, blaming him for a lost harvest. Soon after, the village faced a terrible drought. The poisoned well became the only water source, and the villagers, including Karthi, fell ill. Their crops withered, and despair hung heavy in the air. Karthi, though initially relieved his neighbor suffered, watched the suffering of his own family with growing dread. As he stumbled through the parched fields, weakened by illness and guilt, his shadow stretched long and menacing in the setting sun. He realized his secret act had returned to haunt him, clinging to him like an inescapable companion. The poison, meant for another, had poisoned his own life.