Kural #234
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Tamil text
நிலவரை நீள்புகழ் ஆற்றின்
புலவரைப் போற்றாது புத்தேள் உலகு
Nilavarai nīḷpukaḻ āṟṟiṉ
Pulavarip pōṟṟātu puttēḷ ulaku
English translation
If one earns lasting fame on earth, even heaven will not praise the poets who sang of lesser men.
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Explanation
Earthly fame of the truly great overshadows even celestial praise. The greatest renown comes from good deeds on earth.
விளக்கம்
நிலத்தில் நிலைத்த புகழ் பெற்றால், சொர்க்கமே கவிஞர்களைப் புகழாது. புகழ் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல செயல்களால் வரும் கீர்த்தி சொர்க்கத்தையும் மிஞ்சும் என்பது கருத்து. அறம் செய்வதால் பெரும் புகழே சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- நிலவரைnilavaraias long as the earth
- நீள்nīḷlong/lasting
- புகழ்pukaḻfame
- ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉif accomplished
- புலவரைpulavaraipoets
- போற்றாதுpōṟṟātuwill not praise
- புத்தேள்puttēḷcelestials
- உலகுulakuworld
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. He was known not for grand pronouncements, but for his quiet kindness. Arul always helped those in need, sharing his meager earnings and offering shelter to the homeless. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, promising riches to anyone who could fell the oldest tree in the forest. Many tried, hoping for glory, but none succeeded. Arul, though poor, took up the task. He worked not for reward, but to clear a path for the villagers. Years passed. Arul felled the tree and went back to his life of helping others. The merchant and his riches vanished. Yet, stories of Arul's selfless act spread, echoing through generations. Even the celestial bards, who usually sang of kings and conquests, found themselves humming songs of Arul's simple goodness. Their songs, it seemed, now held a new, deeper meaning.