Kural #237
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
புகழ்பட வாழாதார் தம்நோவார்
தாம்தம் இகழ்வாரை நோவது எவன்
Pukaḻpaṭa vāḻātār tamnōvār
Tāmtam ikaḻvārai nōvatu evaṉ
English translation
Those who live without earning fame should blame themselves; why blame those who despise them?
Listen
Explanation
The fameless have only themselves to blame. Society's contempt is a natural consequence of a wasted life.
விளக்கம்
புகழ் பெறாமல் வாழ்ந்தால் தம்மைத் தாமே நொந்துக்கணும். நம்மை மதிக்காதவர்களை நொந்து என்ன பயன்? புகழ்தான் அறம் சார்ந்த வாழ்க்கையின் அடையாளம். அதனால், நல்ல பெயர் எடுக்க முயற்சி செய்.
Word meanings
- புகழ்pukaḻfame
- படpaṭaso that it happens
- வாழாதார்vāḻātārthose who do not live
- தம்tamthemselves
- நோவார்nōvārshould blame
- தாம்தம்tāmtamtheir own
- இகழ்வாரைikaḻvāraithose who despise
- நோவதுnōvatublaming
- எவன்evaṉwhy?
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two weavers, Arun and Bala. Arun, with nimble fingers, crafted the finest silks, dyed in vibrant hues, and his name echoed in every market. His tapestries adorned the royal palace and brought joy to countless homes. Bala, however, was content weaving plain cloth, never striving for excellence. He grumbled, "The world is unfair! Why does Arun get all the praise while I am ignored?" He spent his days criticizing Arun's success, whispering envious words to anyone who would listen. One day, a merchant, seeking the finest fabric, arrived. He bypassed Bala's shop without a glance, seeking Arun instead. Bala, watching this, cried out, "See? They all favor Arun!" He shook his fist, bitter and resentful. But the river kept flowing, the sun continued to rise, and Arun continued to weave his beautiful cloth, unaffected by Bala's discontent.