Kural #213
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Tamil text
புத்தேள் உலகத்தும் ஈண்டும் பெறலரிதே
ஒப்புரவின் நல்ல பிற
Puttēḷ ulakattuṁ īṇṭum peṟalaritē
Oppuraviṉ nalla piṟa
English translation
Neither in heaven nor on earth can one find anything better than social duty.
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Explanation
Service to society is the highest virtue, surpassing even heavenly pleasures. Nothing in any realm is nobler than fulfilling one's duty to others.
விளக்கம்
ஒப்புரவறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், பிறருக்கு உதவுவதே சிறந்த அறம். தேவர் உலகிலும், இம் மண்ணுலகிலும், சமூகக் கடமையை விடச் சிறந்த நன்மை வேறில்லை. பிறர் நலனே நம் வாழ்வின் உயரிய குறிக்கோள் என்பதை இது உணர்த்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- புத்தேள்puttēḷgods/celestials
- உலகத்தும்ulakattuṁin the world of
- ஈண்டும்īṇṭumhere also
- பெறல்peṟalto obtain
- அரிதேaritērare/difficult
- ஒப்புரவின்oppuraviṉthan social duty
- நல்லnallagood
- பிறpiṟaother things
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was a wealthy merchant, his granaries overflowing with grain. Bala, however, was a humble farmer, his fields often struggling against the harsh sun. One year, a terrible drought struck. Arun, fearing for his wealth, hoarded his grain, while Bala watched his crops wither. The villagers pleaded with Arun, but he turned a deaf ear, valuing his riches above all else. Bala, despite his own hardships, shared his meager harvest with those most in need. He helped mend broken roofs and dug wells, his hands calloused but his heart generous. When the rains finally returned, Arun's granaries remained full, but his spirit was empty. The villagers avoided him, their faces etched with disappointment. Bala's fields, though small, yielded a bountiful harvest, and his heart overflowed with the warmth of the community. Even the birds sang sweeter melodies near his home.