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Kural #29

Virtue· அறம்The Greatness of Ascetics· நீத்தார் பெருமை

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Tamil text

குணமென்னும் குன்றேறி நின்றார் வெகுளி

கணமேயும் காத்தல் அரிது

Kuṇameṉṉum kuṉṟēṟi niṉṟār vekuḷi

Kaṇamēyum kāttal aritu

English translation

It is difficult to withstand even a moment's anger of those who stand atop the mountain called virtue.

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Explanation

Those ascetics who have climbed and firmly established themselves on the mountain of virtue (gunam) possess such spiritual power that even their momentary anger is impossible to withstand. This kural warns about the immense power of realized souls - their displeasure, even if brief, can have severe consequences. Hence, one should never provoke or disrespect such great beings.

விளக்கம்

குணமென்னும் மலையில் ஏறிய பெரியோரின் கோபம் ஒரு நொடி ஆனாலும் தாங்கமுடியாது. துறவறத்தின் பெருமை இது. நல்லொழுக்கம் உடையவர்களை எக்காரணம் கொண்டும் கோபப்படுத்தக் கூடாது.

Word meanings

  • குணம்kuṇamvirtue/quality
  • என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
  • குன்றுkuṉṟuhill/mountain
  • ஏறிēṟihaving climbed
  • நின்றார்niṉṟārthose who stand
  • வெகுளிvekuḷianger
  • கணம்kaṇammoment
  • ஏயும்ēyumeven
  • காத்தல்kāttalto withstand
  • அரிதுaritudifficult

Story behind this kural

In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a serene sage named Arun. His wisdom was renowned, his heart overflowing with kindness. Yet, villagers whispered of his infrequent, but potent, anger. One day, a boisterous merchant, furious over a minor trade dispute, stormed towards Arun's quiet hut. He hurled insults, his face contorted with rage, demanding the sage concede his point. Arun remained still, his eyes closed in meditation. Suddenly, a violent storm erupted. The sky darkened, winds howled, and rain lashed down, tearing through the village. The merchant, now drenched and trembling, watched in disbelief as his own shop was ripped apart by the tempest. When the storm passed as quickly as it had begun, the merchant, humbled and bewildered, found Arun still meditating peacefully, his hut untouched. He understood then, the true nature of the sage's power and the consequences of provoking a heart rooted in virtue.