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Kural #235

Virtue· அறம்Renown· புகழ்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

நத்தம்போல் கேடும் உளதாகும்

சாக்காடும் வித்தகர்க்கு அல்லால் அரிது

Nattampōl kēṭum uḷatākum

Cākkāṭum vittakarkku allāl aritu

English translation

Even ruin becomes a blessing, and even death is rare victory, for those who achieve fame.

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Explanation

For the renowned, even setbacks become stepping stones. Their death is mourned as a loss to humanity, making it a form of victory.

விளக்கம்

புகழ் பெற்றவர்களுக்கு அழிவும் ஒரு நன்மையாகும். அவர்கள் இறப்பு கூட ஒரு வெற்றியாகக் கருதப்படுகிறது. புகழ் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல செயல்களால் அழியாப் புகழ் பெறலாம் என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது. இறப்பிற்குப் பின்னும் வாழும் புகழ் பெறுவது அரிது.

Word meanings

  • நத்தம்nattamprosperity/benefit
  • போல்pōllike
  • கேடும்kēṭumeven ruin
  • உளதாகும்uḷatākumwill become
  • சாக்காடும்cākkāṭumeven death
  • வித்தகர்க்குvittakarkkufor the wise/famous
  • அல்லால்allālexcept
  • அரிதுariturare/difficult

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a humble carpenter named Arul. He was known for crafting the finest wooden toys, each imbued with a unique charm. One harsh winter, a raging fire consumed his workshop, leaving him with nothing but ashes. The villagers, saddened, offered him pity. Arul, however, remained undeterred. He gathered the scorched wood and, with renewed determination, began anew. Using the charred remains, he sculpted a magnificent, smoky-hued bird that captivated everyone. It was the most beautiful toy he had ever made. Later, a terrible illness swept through the village, claiming many lives, including Arul's. The villagers mourned his passing, not just for the loss of a craftsman, but for the loss of a kind soul. His name echoed in the village for generations, and his toys, especially the phoenix bird, became cherished heirlooms, symbols of hope rising from despair.