Kural #308
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Tamil text
இணர்எரி தோய்வன்ன இன்னா செயினும்
புணரின் வெகுளாமை நன்று
Iṇareri tōyvaṉṉa iṉṉā ceyiṉum
Puṇariṉ vekuḷāmai naṉṟu
English translation
Even if others harm you like burning fire touching a flower cluster, if possible, it is good not to become angry.
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Explanation
Even when harmed severely - like delicate flowers touched by fire - one should strive not to respond with anger. The phrase "if possible" shows Thiruvalluvar's realistic understanding of human nature while setting the ideal.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள், பிறர் மலர்க்கொத்தை நெருப்பால் சுடுவது போல் தீமை செய்தாலும், கோபம் கொள்ளாமல் இருப்பது நல்லது என்கிறது. வெகுளாமை அதிகாரத்தில், பொறுமையின் சிறப்பை வள்ளுவர் வலியுறுத்துகிறார். முடியாவிட்டால் கூட, கோபத்தை தவிர்க்க முயல்வது நன்று.
Word meanings
- இணர்iṇarflower cluster
- எரிerifire
- தோய்வுtōyvutouching/immersing
- அன்னaṉṉalike
- இன்னாiṉṉāharm/evil
- செயினும்ceyiṉumeven if done
- புணரின்puṇariṉif possible
- வெகுளாமைvekuḷāmainot becoming angry
- நன்றுnaṉṟuis good
Story behind this kural
In a serene village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his fiery temper, while Bala possessed a calm spirit. One day, Arun, enraged by a misunderstanding, smashed Bala's newly crafted pots. The villagers gasped, expecting Bala to erupt in anger. Instead, Bala calmly surveyed the damage. He picked up a shard, examining it with a gentle touch. "The clay was good," he murmured, "but the fire was too hot." Arun, expecting a fight, was taken aback. He stammered apologies, offering to replace the pots. Bala smiled, "The clay is plentiful. Let us create new ones, together." They worked side-by-side, Arun's initial shame slowly fading. As the new pots took shape, Arun realized the beauty of Bala's response. The river continued its gentle flow, and the village found peace.