Kural #230
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Tamil text
சாதலின் இன்னாத தில்லை
இனிததூஉம் ஈதல் இயையாக் கடை
Cātaliṉ iṉṉāta tillai
Iṉitatūum ītal iyaiyāk kaṭai
English translation
Nothing is more painful than death; yet even death becomes sweet when one cannot give.
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Explanation
For the generous soul, being unable to give is worse than death itself. A life without giving is not worth living.
விளக்கம்
ஈகை அதிகாரத்தில், இறப்பை விடக் கொடியது இல்லை. ஆனால், பிறருக்குக் கொடுக்க முடியாத நிலை வந்தால், அந்த இறப்பே இனிமையாகத் தோன்றும். பிறருக்குக் கொடுத்து உதவும் வாய்ப்பு இல்லாத வாழ்க்கை, வாழ்வதே வீண் என்பது இதன் பொருள். உதவி செய்வதே சிறந்த அறம்.
Word meanings
- சாதலின்cātaliṉthan death
- இன்னாததுiṉṉātatupainful thing
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- இனிதுiṉitusweet
- அதூஉம்atūumeven that
- ஈதல்ītalgiving
- இயையாiyaiyānot possible
- கடைkaṭaiwhen
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun possessed a bountiful harvest each year, his fields overflowing with rice. Bala, however, struggled; his crops often failing, leaving him with barely enough to feed his family. Arun, despite his wealth, kept his harvest locked away, fearing scarcity. He built high walls around his granary, his heart growing as barren as his neighbor's land. One harsh winter, the river froze, and the village faced starvation. Arun’s granary remained full, yet his joy withered. He saw Bala, weakened and despairing, his children's eyes reflecting the icy grip of hunger. Arun felt a gnawing emptiness, a pain deeper than any physical ache. He opened his granary, not for praise, but because the alternative felt unbearable. He shared his rice. As the villagers ate, Arun felt a warmth bloom within him, a comfort that surpassed any measure of wealth.