Kural #290
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Tamil text
கள்வார்க்குத் தள்ளும் உயிர்நிலை
கள்ளார்க்குத் தள்ளாது புத்தேள் உலகு
Kaḷvārkkut taḷḷum uyirnilai
Kaḷḷārkkut taḷḷātu puttēḷ ulaku
English translation
Even life on earth will reject thieves; the heavenly world will not reject those who do not steal.
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Explanation
Thieves are pushed away even from earthly existence - they face social rejection and punishment. But those who refrain from theft are welcomed not just on earth but in the divine realm as well.
விளக்கம்
கள்ளாமை அதிகாரத்தில், திருக்குறள் 290 சொல்கிறது: திருடுபவர்களை இவ்வுலக வாழ்க்கை வெறுக்கும். திருடாதவர்களை தேவர்கள் உலகம் வரவேற்கும். நேர்மையாக வாழ்ந்தால் இம்மையிலும் மறுமையிலும் நன்மை கிடைக்கும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- கள்வார்க்குkaḷvārkkufor thieves
- தள்ளும்taḷḷumwill reject
- உயிர்நிலைuyirnilaiearthly life
- கள்ளார்க்குkaḷḷārkkufor those who don't steal
- தள்ளாதுtaḷḷātuwill not reject
- புத்தேள்puttēḷdivine/heavenly
- உலகுulakuworld
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two merchants: Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his cunning, often shortchanged customers, hiding the finest grains and substituting lesser ones. Bala, however, weighed his goods honestly, always offering the best he had. One season, a terrible drought struck. The village's granaries emptied. Arun, hoarding his hidden reserves, saw his neighbors suffer, but his own stores dwindled due to the fear of being exposed. People whispered, avoiding his stall. Bala, though his stores were also affected, shared what little he had with those in need. He bartered fairly, offering seeds and advice. The villagers, grateful, helped him rebuild his stock when the rains finally returned. As the famine passed, Arun found himself alone, his riches useless. Bala, surrounded by friends and a thriving business, saw his reputation grow, and his community welcomed him.