Kural #271
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Tamil text
வஞ்ச மனத்தான் படிற்றொழுக்கம்
பூதங்கள் ஐந்தும் அகத்தே நகும்
Vañca maṉattāṉ paṭiṟṟoḻukkam
Pūtaṅkaḷ aintum akattē nakum
English translation
The five elements within will laugh at the deceitful conduct of one with a fraudulent heart.
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Explanation
The human body is composed of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space). When someone behaves hypocritically, even these elements within them mock the pretense. One cannot fool one's own nature.
விளக்கம்
வஞ்சகம் உள்ளம் கொண்டவரின் பொய்யான ஒழுக்கத்தை, உடம்பில் இருக்கும் நிலம், நீர், நெருப்பு, காற்று, ஆகாயம் ஆகிய ஐம்பூதங்களும் உள்ளுக்குள்ளேயே சிரிக்கும். கூடாவொழுக்கம் அதிகாரத்தில் இது வருகிறது. உண்மைக்கு மாறாக நடித்தால், நம் மனசாட்சியே நம்மை ஏளனம் செய்யும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- வஞ்சvañcadeceitful/fraudulent
- மனத்தான்maṉattāṉone with a heart
- படிற்றுpaṭiṟṟufalse/pretended
- ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamconduct
- பூதங்கள்pūtaṅkaḷelements
- ஐந்தும்aintumfive
- அகத்தேakattēwithin
- நகும்nakumwill laugh
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Silas, was known for his piety. Each morning, he’d perform elaborate rituals, his face a mask of solemn devotion. Yet, behind closed doors, Silas cheated merchants and gossiped freely. One day, a terrible storm raged. Lightning struck Silas's home, setting it ablaze. The villagers rushed to help, but Silas stood frozen, his face contorted in fear. He called for water, but no matter how much was brought, the fire raged on. He gasped for air, but the smoke choked him. He cried out for help, but his voice was lost in the wind's howl. As the fire consumed his home, a strange phenomenon occurred. The flames seemed to dance with an unnatural glee, the smoke twisted into mocking shapes, and the wind carried whispers of his deceit. The earth itself seemed to tremble beneath his feet, as if in silent laughter. In the end, only ashes remained, a testament to a life lived in falsehood.