Kural #276
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Tamil text
நெஞ்சின் துறவார் துறந்தார்போல் வஞ்சித்து
வாழ்வாரின் வன்கணார் இல்
Neñciṉ tuṟavār tuṟantārpōl vañcittu
Vāḻvāriṉ vaṉkaṇār il
English translation
There is no one more cruel than those who live deceitfully, pretending to be renunciants while not having renounced in their hearts.
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Explanation
The harshest condemnation is reserved for those who feign spiritual renunciation without inner transformation. Such hypocrites are the cruelest, for they exploit others' trust in spiritual authority.
விளக்கம்
மனதில் பற்றை விடாமல் துறவி போல நடிப்பவர்கள் கொடியவர்கள். கூடாவொழுக்கம் அதிகாரத்தில், இத்தகைய போலி வேடதாரிகள் பிறரை ஏமாற்றி வாழ்கிறார்கள். உள்ளொன்று வைத்து புறமொன்று பேசுவது அறமல்ல. நேர்மையே உயர்ந்த அறம்.
Word meanings
- நெஞ்சின்neñciṉin the heart
- துறவார்tuṟavārnot renouncing
- துறந்தார்tuṟantārrenunciants
- போல்pōllike
- வஞ்சித்துvañcittudeceiving
- வாழ்வாரின்vāḻvāriṉthan those who live
- வன்கணார்vaṉkaṇārcruel ones
- இல்ilthere is none
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a man named Silas. He wore simple robes, spoke of peace, and fasted publicly. The villagers, charmed by his outward piety, offered him their best food and sought his counsel. They believed Silas to be a holy man. Secretly, Silas craved the finest silks and hoarded riches. He gossiped about others, spreading unkind rumors to elevate his own standing. When a traveling merchant arrived with rare jewels, Silas, pretending to need them for a temple offering, convinced the merchant to give them to him at a low price. He then sold the jewels for a great profit, keeping the money for himself. One day, a young boy saw Silas arguing with a beggar, his face contorted with greed. The boy, remembering Silas's sermons on generosity, was confused. Soon, the villagers discovered Silas's hidden wealth and his selfish actions. Their trust shattered, they realized the emptiness behind his facade. Silas, exposed, was left alone, his words now echoing hollowly in the village square.