Kural #253
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Tamil text
படைகொண்டார் நெஞ்சம்போல் நன்றூக்காது
ஒன்றன் உடல்சுவை உண்டார் மனம்
Paṭaikoṇṭār neñcampōl naṉṟūkkātu
Oṉṟaṉ uṭalcuvai uṇṭār maṉam
English translation
Like the heart of one who wields a weapon, the mind of one who has tasted another creature's flesh will not incline towards virtue.
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Explanation
Those who carry weapons for violence have hearts hardened against compassion. Similarly, those who have acquired a taste for flesh lose their natural inclination toward goodness. Both practices desensitize the conscience.
விளக்கம்
மாமிசம் சாப்பிடுபவர் மனம், ஆயுதம் ஏந்தியவர் போல் இரக்கமின்றி இருக்கும். பிற உயிரின் உடலை உண்பதால், நல்ல எண்ணங்கள் தோன்றாது. புலால் மறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், உயிர்களிடத்தில் அன்பு காட்ட வேண்டும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- படைpaṭaiweapon
- கொண்டார்koṇṭārthose who possess/wield
- நெஞ்சம்neñcamheart
- போல்pōllike
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood/virtue
- ஊக்காதுūkkātuwill not incline towards
- ஒன்றன்oṉṟaṉof a creature
- உடல்uṭalbody
- சுவைcuvaitaste
- உண்டார்uṇṭārthose who have eaten
- மனம்maṉammind
Story behind this kural
In a tranquil village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, a skilled hunter, often brought home wild boar and deer for the villagers. Bala, however, was a farmer, content with his crops and a vegetarian diet. One harsh winter, food grew scarce. Arun, driven by necessity, hunted more frequently. His eyes became sharp, his movements swift, and his heart seemed to harden with each kill. He began to find less joy in the laughter of children, more satisfaction in the hunt. Bala, meanwhile, shared his meager harvest generously, even with those who had little to offer in return. He found solace in the quiet rustle of leaves, the warmth of the sun, and the smiles of those he helped. His heart remained open, a wellspring of kindness. When spring arrived, bringing with it renewed abundance, the villagers noticed a change. Arun's eyes still held the glint of the hunter, while Bala's shone with a gentle light. One brother was at peace, the other, restless.