Kural #266
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Tamil text
தவஞ்செய்வார் தங்கருமஞ் செய்வார்
மற்றல்லார் அவஞ்செய்வார் ஆசையுட் பட்டு
Tavañceyvār taṅkarumaṉ ceyvār
Maṟṟallār avañceyvār ācaiyuṭ paṭṭu
English translation
Those who practice penance perform their true duty; others, caught in desire, engage in fruitless action.
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Explanation
Penance is one's true purpose (கருமம்). Those who pursue worldly desires instead waste their effort in vain pursuits. The ascetic alone fulfills the real purpose of human existence.
விளக்கம்
தவம் செய்பவரே தம் கடமையைச் செய்கிறார். ஆசையில் விழுந்தவர் வீணாக உழைக்கிறார். தவத்தின் மூலம் மனதை அடக்கி, அறம் செய்வதே முக்கியம். ஆசை வாழ்வில் பயனற்ற செயல்களையே தரும்.
Word meanings
- தவம்tavampenance
- செய்வார்ceyvārthose who do
- தம்tamtheir own
- கருமம்karumamduty/purpose
- மற்றுmaṟṟuand
- அல்லார்allārothers
- அவம்avamin vain
- ஆசையுள்ācaiyuḷin desire
- பட்டுpaṭṭucaught/entrapped
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two men: Arun, a humble farmer, and Varun, a wealthy merchant. Arun spent his days tilling the earth, finding contentment in the simple rhythm of sowing and reaping. He shared his harvest generously, taking only what he needed. Varun, however, was driven by an insatiable hunger for more. He traded tirelessly, always seeking greater riches, building a grand house and filling it with treasures. Years passed. A terrible drought struck the land. Arun, though his harvest was meager, shared what little he had, offering comfort and support to his neighbors. Varun’s granaries overflowed, yet he hoarded his wealth, fearing loss. The villagers, once admiring his success, now avoided him. When the rains finally returned, Arun's spirit shone, while Varun was left with a cold, empty house and a heart heavier than his gold.