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Kural #267

Virtue· அறம்Penance· தவம்

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Tamil text

சுடச்சுடரும் பொன்போல் ஒளிவிடும்

துன்பஞ் சுடச்சுட நோற்கிற் பவர்க்கு

Cuṭaccuṭarum poṉpōl oḷiviṭum

Tuṉpañ cuṭaccuṭa nōṟkiṟ pavarkku

English translation

Like gold that shines brighter when heated repeatedly, those who endure suffering through austerity will radiate greater glory.

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Explanation

A beautiful metallurgical metaphor. Gold is purified and becomes more brilliant through repeated heating. Similarly, those who patiently endure the hardships of penance emerge more radiant and spiritually luminous.

விளக்கம்

தங்கம் சூடாக்கச் சூடாக்க ஒளிவீசுவது போல, தவத்தின் துன்பங்களைப் பொறுப்பவர்கள் மேலும் சிறப்படைவார்கள். தவம் என்னும் அதிகாரத்தில், துன்பங்களைப் பொறுமையுடன் தாங்குவதன் மூலம் ஆன்மிக ஒளி பெறலாம் என்பதே நீதி. விடாமுயற்சியே வெற்றி தரும்.

Word meanings

  • சுடcuṭato heat
  • சுடரும்cuṭarumwill shine
  • பொன்poṉgold
  • போல்pōllike
  • ஒளிoḷibrightness/glory
  • விடும்viṭumwill emit
  • துன்பம்tuṉpamsuffering
  • நோற்கிற்பவர்க்குnōṟkiṟpavarkkufor those who endure through penance

Story behind this kural

In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a potter named Kumar. His hands, though skilled, were often clumsy. Repeatedly, his pots cracked during firing, leaving him with nothing but shards and disappointment. Villagers whispered that Kumar was cursed. One day, an old sage, observing Kumar's plight, offered a different perspective. "Every crack," he said, "is a lesson. Each failed firing, a chance to refine your technique." Kumar, initially skeptical, followed the sage's advice. He studied the clay, adjusted the heat, and meticulously mended his mistakes. The kiln’s heat still cracked some pots, but Kumar persisted. Slowly, his work began to change. Imperfections vanished. His pots became stronger, their forms elegant. Soon, Kumar’s pottery was the village's finest. People marveled at the beauty and resilience of his creations. He learned that the trials, the heat, and the failures had ultimately forged something stronger and more beautiful.