Kural #30
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Tamil text
அந்தணர் என்போர் அறவோர்மற் றெவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
செந்தண்மை பூண்டொழுக லான்
Antaṇar eṉpōr aṟavōrmaṟ ṟevvuyirkkum
Centaṇmai pūṇṭoḻuka lāṉ
English translation
The true Brahmins are the virtuous, for they have adopted a life of tender compassion towards all living beings.
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Explanation
Valluvar redefines who a true Brahmin (Andhanar) is - not by birth, but by character. One who practices virtue (aram) and shows gentle, cool compassion (senthanmai) equally to all living beings is the true Brahmin. This revolutionary kural emphasizes that spiritual nobility comes from conduct and compassion, not from hereditary status. The word "senthanmai" beautifully combines warmth of heart with cooling gentleness.
விளக்கம்
அந்தணர் என்பவர் பிறப்பால் உயர்ந்தவர் அல்லர். எல்லா உயிர்களிடத்தும் கருணை காட்டி அறநெறிப்படி வாழ்பவரே அந்தணர். துறவறத்தின் பெருமையை இது காட்டுகிறது. பிறருக்கு உதவும் குணமே முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- அந்தணர்antaṇarBrahmins/the gentle ones
- என்போர்eṉpōrthose who are called
- அறவோர்aṟavōrthe virtuous ones
- மற்றுmaṟṟuindeed/because
- எவ்வுயிர்க்கும்evvuyirkkumto all living beings
- செந்தண்மைcentaṇmaitender compassion/gentle coolness
- பூண்டுpūṇṭuhaving adopted/worn
- ஒழுகலான்oḻukalāṉbecause of practicing
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two men known for their wisdom. One, a learned scholar, was revered for his knowledge of ancient texts. The other, a humble farmer, was known for his kindness. One scorching summer, a wildfire raged through the forest, threatening the village. The scholar, from his high perch, lectured villagers on fire safety. The farmer, however, rushed into the inferno, saving a family of deer and their fawns. He carried the animals to the village well, offering them water and tending their burns. The scholar scoffed, "Such a waste of time! The fire is the true danger." When the fire subsided, the villagers cheered the farmer, who had also helped extinguish the flames. They saw his soot-stained face, his weary body, and the grateful deer. The scholar, still dusty, stood alone, his words lost in the smoke. The villagers knew who truly embodied virtue.