Kural #249
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Tamil text
தெருளாதான் மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டற்றால்
தேரின் அருளாதான் செய்யும் அறம்
Teruḷātāṉ meypporuḷ kaṇṭaṟṟāl
Tēriṉ aruḷātāṉ ceyyum aṟam
English translation
The virtue done by one without compassion is like the truth seen by one without clarity.
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Explanation
Just as a confused person cannot truly perceive reality, one without compassion cannot truly practice virtue. Compassion is the lens through which virtue becomes meaningful.
விளக்கம்
அருள் இல்லாதவர் செய்யும் அறம், தெளிவில்லாதவர் உண்மையை பார்ப்பது போலாகும். அருளுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், கருணையே அறத்தின் அடிப்படை என்கிறது குறள். கருணையே இல்லாமல் செய்யும் உதவி முழுமை பெறாது.
Word meanings
- தெருளாதான்teruḷātāṉone without clarity
- மெய்meytrue
- பொருள்poruḷmeaning/reality
- கண்டற்றால்kaṇṭaṟṟāllike seeing
- தேரின்tēriṉif examined
- அருளாதான்aruḷātāṉone without compassion
- செய்யும்ceyyumdoes
- அறம்aṟamvirtue
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Both were known for their generosity, donating to the temple and helping the needy. However, Arun’s kindness was often shown with a stern face and sharp words, a sense of duty more than genuine care. Bala, on the other hand, always offered help with a warm smile and gentle understanding. One year, a terrible drought struck. The villagers struggled. Arun, though he shared his grain, constantly complained about the cost, grumbling about the ungratefulness of those he helped. Bala, however, shared his grain with joy, even offering words of comfort and hope. When the rains finally returned, the villagers noticed something curious. Arun’s fields, though fertile, yielded less than usual. Bala’s fields, however, flourished, producing a harvest that overflowed. The villagers understood that true giving comes from the heart, and that is what makes it truly fruitful.