Kural #298
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Tamil text
புறந்தூய்மை நீரான் அமையும்
அகந்தூய்மை வாய்மையால் காணப் படும்
Puṟantūymai nīrāṉ amaiyum
Akantūymai vāymaiyāl kāṇap paṭum
English translation
External purity comes through water; inner purity is revealed through truthfulness.
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Explanation
Physical cleanliness requires water. But the purity of the soul is demonstrated through truthful speech. What water does for the body, truth does for the spirit.
விளக்கம்
உடலை நீர் சுத்தமாக்கும். மனதை வாய்மையே தூய்மையாக்கும். உண்மை பேசுவதால், நம் நல்ல குணம் தெரியும். இது வாய்மை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- புறம்puṟamexternal
- தூய்மைtūymaipurity
- நீரான்nīrāṉthrough water
- அமையும்amaiyumis achieved
- அகம்akaminner
- வாய்மையால்vāymaiyālthrough truthfulness
- காணப்படும்kāṇappaṭumis seen/revealed
Story behind this kural
The villagers of Eldoria prized their annual festival. Each year, they’d meticulously clean their homes and adorn the town square with flowers. Yet, a shadow fell upon the celebration. Old Man Hemlock, known for his harsh words, accused young Elara of stealing the village's prized ruby. Elara, though poor, was known for her honesty. She swore she had not taken the gem. Despite her clean clothes and tear-filled eyes, the villagers, swayed by Hemlock's reputation, turned away. Then, a traveling merchant arrived. He had seen Hemlock secretly hiding the ruby. He revealed Hemlock's deceit. The gem was recovered, and Hemlock, exposed, fled in shame. Elara, her reputation restored, was embraced by the community. The village rejoiced, not just in the recovered gem, but in the newfound understanding of true purity. The festival, though late, began with renewed joy.