Kural #284
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Tamil text
களவின்கண் கன்றிய காதல்
விளைவின்கண் வீயா விழுமம் தரும்
Kaḷaviṉkaṇ kaṉṟiya kātal
Viḷaiviṉkaṇ vīyā viḻumam tarum
English translation
The love that has grown attached to theft will, when results come, bring never-ending sorrow.
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Explanation
When the heart becomes enamored with stealing, the consequences that follow will be endless suffering. The temporary pleasure of theft leads to permanent pain.
விளக்கம்
களவு செய்வது ஆசை அதிகமானால், அதனால் வரும் விளைவு எப்போதும் தீராத துன்பம் தரும். திருக்குறள் கள்ளாமை அதிகாரத்தில் இதைச் சொல்கிறது. திருடுவது முதலில் இனிமையாக இருந்தாலும், முடிவில் பெரிய கஷ்டத்தைக் கொடுக்கும். எனவே, திருடாமல் நேர்மையாக வாழ வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- களவின்கண்kaḷaviṉkaṇin theft
- கன்றியkaṉṟiyathat has intensified/grown
- காதல்kātallove/attachment
- விளைவின்கண்viḷaiviṉkaṇin the outcome
- வீயாvīyāunending
- விழுமம்viḻumamsorrow/suffering
- தரும்tarumwill give
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a young potter named Arun. He admired the shimmering jewels worn by the wealthy merchant, Chandra. Arun, envious, began secretly taking small amounts of clay from Chandra's storehouse, using it to create finer pots, which he then sold for profit. At first, Arun reveled in his success. His pots were admired, and his pockets filled. But soon, whispers of missing clay reached Chandra. Suspicion fell on many, yet no one knew of Arun's secret. One day, Chandra, enraged by the continued disappearances, announced a reward for anyone who could find the thief. Arun, caught in a web of fear, felt his joy turn to ash. He could no longer sleep peacefully, haunted by the thought of being exposed. His fear grew with each passing day. The beautiful pots he crafted felt like a heavy burden, a constant reminder of his deceit. The village, once his haven, now felt like a cage.