Kural #241
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Tamil text
அருட்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் செல்வம்
பொருட்செல்வம் பூரியார் கண்ணும் உள
Aruṭcelvam celvattuḷ celvam
Poruṭcelvam pūriyār kaṇṇum uḷa
English translation
Compassion is the wealth among wealths; material wealth exists even among the mean.
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Explanation
True wealth is compassion, not money. Even wicked people can possess material wealth, but only the noble possess compassion.
விளக்கம்
அருள் தான் சிறந்த செல்வம். அதுவே உண்மையான மதிப்பு. பொருட்செல்வம் இல்லாதவர்க்கும் இருக்கும். ஆனால் அருள் உள்ளம் கொண்டவர்க்கே அருட்செல்வம் கிட்டும். இது அருளுடைமை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- அருள்aruḷcompassion/grace
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- செல்வத்துள்celvattuḷamong wealth
- பொருள்poruḷmaterial
- பூரியார்pūriyārthe mean/lowly
- கண்ணும்kaṇṇumeven in
- உளuḷaexists
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two merchants, Alagan and Kumar. Alagan, though wealthy, was known for his stinginess. He built grand houses and filled them with treasures, yet his heart remained closed to the needs of others. Kumar, on the other hand, had modest earnings but possessed a generous spirit. One harsh winter, a famine struck. Villagers, desperate for food, lined up before Alagan’s gates, but he turned them away. Kumar, though his own stores were limited, shared what little he had, offering warmth and sustenance. He helped the elderly and the sick, his kindness a beacon in the cold. When the famine ended, Alagan’s wealth remained, but his name was whispered with scorn. Kumar, though less rich in possessions, found himself surrounded by gratitude and respect. His actions had woven a bond of community that no amount of gold could ever buy.