Kural #252
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Tamil text
பொருளாட்சி போற்றாதார்க்கு இல்லை
அருளாட்சி ஆங்கில்லை ஊன்தின் பவர்க்கு
Poruḷāṭci pōṟṟātārkku illai
Aruḷāṭci āṅkillai ūṉtiṉ pavarkku
English translation
Just as wealth does not stay with those who do not protect it, compassion does not dwell in those who eat flesh.
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Explanation
A beautiful comparison is made here. Wealth requires careful stewardship to be retained. Similarly, the virtue of compassion cannot coexist with the practice of meat-eating. One who consumes flesh drives away mercy from their heart.
விளக்கம்
பொருள் சேர்த்து வைக்காதவர்க்கு அது நிலைக்காது. அதுபோல, ஊன் உண்பவர்க்கு கருணை இருக்காது. புலால் மறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், உயிர்களிடத்தில் அன்பு காட்ட ஊன் உண்ணக்கூடாது என்கிறார் வள்ளுவர். கருணையே அறத்தின் அடிப்படை.
Word meanings
- பொருள்poruḷwealth
- ஆட்சிāṭcipossession/rule
- போற்றாதார்க்குpōṟṟātārkkufor those who do not protect
- இல்லைillaiis not/absent
- அருள்aruḷcompassion
- ஆங்குāṅkusimilarly/there
- ஊன்ūṉflesh
- தின்பவர்க்குtiṉpavarkkufor those who eat
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was a hunter, skilled and strong, providing meat for his family. Bala, however, tended a small garden, nurturing herbs and vegetables. He found joy in the life he cultivated. One harsh winter, the village faced famine. Arun, driven by necessity, hunted relentlessly, his arrows finding their mark with chilling efficiency. Bala, though his garden withered, shared what little he had, offering solace and broth to the weak. As spring arrived, both brothers sought favor with the forest spirit, hoping for a bountiful harvest. Arun offered a slain deer, its blood staining the altar. Bala offered fragrant flowers and a song of gratitude for the smallest sprout. The forest flourished for Bala, his garden overflowing. Arun’s hunting grounds remained barren, his traps empty.