Kural #222
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நல்லாறு எனினும் கொளல்தீது
மேலுலகம் இல்லெனினும் ஈதலே நன்று
Nallāṟu eṉiṉum koḷaltītu
Mēlulakam illeṉiṉum ītalē naṉṟu
English translation
Even if receiving leads to heaven, it is wrong; even if there is no afterlife, giving is good.
Listen
Explanation
The morality of giving is absolute, not dependent on rewards. Give because it is right, not for heavenly reward.
விளக்கம்
ஈகை அதிகாரத்தில், இந்த குறள் கொடுப்பதன் சிறப்பைச் சொல்கிறது. சொர்க்கம் கிடைத்தாலும் பிறரிடம் வாங்குவது தவறு. மேலுலகம் இல்லாவிட்டாலும், இல்லாதவர்களுக்குக் கொடுப்பதே சிறந்தது. பிரதிபலன் கருதாமல் கொடுப்பதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- நல்லாறுnallāṟugood path/heaven
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if
- கொளல்koḷalreceiving
- தீதுtītuis wrong
- மேலுலகம்mēlulakamthe upper world/heaven
- இல்ilnot exist
- ஈதலேītalēgiving alone
- நன்றுnaṉṟuis good
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generosity, always sharing his harvest even when times were lean. Bala, however, hoarded his crops, always calculating the profit. One harsh winter, the village faced famine. Arun, despite his own dwindling stores, divided his remaining grain among the hungry villagers. He comforted those who despaired, saying, “We are all children of the same soil, we must help each other.” Bala, meanwhile, watched from his window. He considered selling his grain at exorbitant prices, believing he would become wealthy. But the villagers, knowing his nature, shunned him. When spring arrived, Arun's fields, blessed by the shared kindness, yielded a bountiful harvest. Bala’s fields, though untouched by others, produced meager stalks. The villagers, now thriving, offered Arun their help, while Bala was left to till his barren land alone.