Kural #274
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Tamil text
தவமறைந்து அல்லவை செய்தல்
புதல்மறைந்து வேட்டுவன் புள்சிமிழ்த் தற்று
Tavamaṟaintu allavai ceytal
Putalmaṟaintu vēṭṭuvaṉ puḷcimiḻt taṟṟu
English translation
Doing wrong while hiding behind penance is like a hunter hiding in a bush to catch birds.
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Explanation
Those who use the disguise of asceticism to commit sins are compared to hunters who hide in bushes to trap unsuspecting birds. The appearance of holiness becomes a trap for deceiving others.
விளக்கம்
தவக்கோலம் பூண்டு தப்பு செய்வது, புதரில் ஒளிந்து பறவை பிடிப்பது போல. கூடாவொழுக்கம் கூடாது. வெளித்தோற்றம் ஏமாற்றும், உள்ளே நல்லவராக இருக்கணும். இது ஒழுக்கமின்மை.
Word meanings
- தவம்tavampenance
- மறைந்துmaṟaintuhiding behind
- அல்லவைallavaiwrong things
- செய்தல்ceytaldoing
- புதல்putalbush
- வேட்டுவன்vēṭṭuvaṉhunter
- புள்puḷbirds
- சிமிழ்த்தற்றுcimiḻttaṟṟutrapping
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a man named Thiru. He wore simple robes, abstained from worldly pleasures, and often spoke of kindness. The villagers admired his piety and sought his guidance. Yet, when darkness fell, Thiru would sneak into the forest. He set traps, not for animals, but for the unwary travelers who passed through the woods. He would rob them of their belongings, hiding the stolen treasures beneath his humble dwelling. He used his reputation for holiness as a shield, a disguise that kept suspicion away. One day, a wealthy merchant, lost and seeking shelter, was welcomed by Thiru. He offered the merchant food and a place to rest, all the while eyeing his rich garments and laden bags. That night, the merchant vanished, and Thiru, feigning distress, joined the search. The villagers, however, eventually uncovered his secret. His outward show of virtue was a mere mask, a deceptive trap.