Kural #218
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Tamil text
இடனில் பருவத்தும் ஒப்புரவிற்கு ஒல்கார்
கடனறி காட்சி யவர்
Iṭaṉil paruvattuṁ oppuraviṟku olkār
Kaṭaṉaṟi kāṭci yavar
English translation
Those who understand duty never fail in their social obligations even in difficult times.
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Explanation
True commitment to social duty does not waver with circumstances. Even when resources are scarce, the wise find ways to help.
விளக்கம்
ஒப்புரவறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், கடமை உணர்ந்த பெரியோர், வறுமை வந்த காலத்திலும் பிறர்க்கு உதவத் தவற மாட்டார்கள். தம்மால் இயன்ற உதவியை எப்படியாவது செய்வார்கள். சூழ்நிலை சரியில்லாதபோதும் உதவி செய்வதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- இடன்iṭaṉmeans/resources
- இல்ilwithout
- பருவத்தும்paruvattuṁeven in times
- ஒப்புரவிற்குoppuraviṟkuin social duty
- ஒல்கார்olkārwill not fail
- கடன்kaṭaṉduty
- அறிaṟiknowing
- காட்சியவர்kāṭciyavarthose with vision
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, a harsh winter descended. Snow blanketed the fields, and the granaries emptied. Many villagers, fearing starvation, hoarded what little food they had. Old Thomas, the village baker, watched with a heavy heart. He knew the suffering firsthand, having lost his own harvest to an early frost. Though his own stores were dwindling, Thomas continued to bake a small loaf each day, sharing it with the neediest. He rationed his flour, skipping meals, and even collected fallen wood to fuel his oven. Some villagers questioned his actions, urging him to save himself. But Thomas simply smiled, saying, "We are all connected, like the branches of a tree. When one suffers, we all suffer." One day, the snow began to thaw, revealing the first shoots of spring. Those who had shared their meager resources found their stores miraculously replenished. Thomas, though thin, felt a warmth spread through him, a deeper satisfaction than any full belly could provide.