Kural #299
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Tamil text
எல்லா விளக்கும் விளக்கல்ல
சான்றோர்க்குப் பொய்யா விளக்கே விளக்கு
Ellā viḷakkum viḷakkalla
Cāṉṟōrkkup poyyā viḷakkē viḷakku
English translation
Not all lights are true lights; for the wise, the light of truth alone is the real light.
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Explanation
Physical lamps are not the ultimate illumination. For those of wisdom and virtue, the light that never lies - the light of truth - is the only genuine source of illumination.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 299: எல்லா வெளிச்சமும் சிறந்த வெளிச்சம் ஆகாது. சான்றோர்க்குப் பொய் சொல்லாத வாய்மையே சிறந்த ஒளி. வாய்மை அதிகாரத்தில், உண்மை பேசும் பண்பே வாழ்வில் சிறந்தது என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- எல்லாellāall
- விளக்கும்viḷakkumlights
- விளக்குviḷakkulight
- அல்லallaare not
- சான்றோர்க்குcāṉṟōrkkufor the wise
- பொய்யாpoyyāunfailing/truthful
- விளக்கேviḷakkēlight indeed
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two lamp makers. One, a craftsman named Arun, fashioned lamps of exquisite beauty, adorned with jewels and painted with vibrant hues. His lamps lit the marketplace with dazzling displays, yet their flames flickered and died quickly. The other, Bala, crafted simple lamps from clay, unadorned and humble. His lamps burned steadily, their light unwavering through the longest nights. The king, seeking a light to illuminate his palace, chose Arun's lamps. The villagers marveled at their beauty, but soon complained of the darkness that returned when the lamps sputtered out. Bala offered his simple lamps. Though plain, they chased away the shadows with their enduring glow. The king, seeing the true light they provided, realized where true illumination resided. He understood that the finest light does not depend on appearance, but on its capacity to last, to endure, to truly show the way.