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Kural #304

Virtue· அறம்Restraining Anger· வெகுளாமை

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Tamil text

நகையும் உவகையும் கொல்லும் சினத்தின்

பகையும் உளவோ பிற

Nakaiyum uvakaiyum kollum ciṉattiṉ

Pakaiyum uḷavō piṟa

English translation

Is there any enemy worse than anger, which destroys both laughter and joy?

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Explanation

Anger is portrayed as the worst enemy of happiness. It kills our ability to smile and experience joy. What external enemy could cause more damage than this internal destroyer that robs us of life's pleasures?

விளக்கம்

சினம் சிரிப்பையும் மகிழ்ச்சியையும் அழிக்கும் கொடிய பகை. வெகுளாமை அதிகாரத்தில், கோபம் நம்மை நாமே அழிக்கும் ஆயுதம் என்கிறார் வள்ளுவர். வேறு எந்தப் பகையும் இவ்வளவு தீமை செய்ய முடியாது. கோபத்தை அடக்கி, சந்தோஷமாக வாழ வேண்டும்.

Word meanings

  • நகைnakailaughter/smile
  • உவகைuvakaijoy/happiness
  • கொல்லும்kollumkills/destroys
  • சினத்தின்ciṉattiṉthan anger
  • பகையும்pakaiyumenemy also
  • உளவோuḷavōis there?
  • பிறpiṟaother

Story behind this kural

In a peaceful village nestled beside a shimmering lake lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his sunny disposition, always quick with a laugh and a helping hand. Bala, however, possessed a fiery temper. The smallest inconvenience would send him into a rage, his face contorting, his voice rising. One day, a merchant accidentally bumped into Bala, spilling his basket of mangoes. Arun, witnessing the mishap, chuckled and offered to help gather the scattered fruit. Bala, however, erupted. He yelled and cursed, his face red with fury, berating the merchant. The merchant, ashamed, quickly gathered his remaining mangoes and hurried away. Arun, saddened by his brother's outburst, tried to console him, but Bala pushed him away, still fuming. That evening, Arun joined the villagers for a joyous celebration, filled with music and laughter. Bala, alone in his hut, found himself consumed by his anger, unable to find peace or share in the merriment. His heart felt heavy, and the joy of the day had passed him by.