Kural #313
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Tamil text
இன்னா செய்தாரை ஒறுத்தல்
அவர்நாண நன்னயம் செய்து விடல்
Iṉṉā ceytārai oṟuttal
Avarnāṇa naṉṉayam ceytu viṭal
English translation
The best way to punish those who have harmed you is to do good to them, making them ashamed of their actions.
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Explanation
This revolutionary kural teaches that the highest form of revenge is kindness. Returning good for evil shames the wrongdoer more than any punishment and transforms enemies into friends.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள், தீங்கு செய்தவரைத் தண்டிக்க சிறந்த வழி, அவர் வெட்கப்படும்படி நன்மை செய்வது என்கிறது. இது 'இன்னா செய்யாமை' அதிகாரத்தின்படி, தீமைக்குத் தீமை செய்யாமல், அன்பால் வெல்வதே அறம் என உணர்த்துகிறது. பிறருக்கு நன்மை செய்வதே சிறந்த தண்டனை.
Word meanings
- இன்னாiṉṉāharm/evil
- செய்தாரைceytāraithose who did
- ஒறுத்தல்oṟuttalto punish
- அவர்avarthey
- நாணnāṇato be ashamed
- நன்னயம்naṉṉayamgood deed
- செய்துceytudoing
- விடல்viṭalto leave/complete
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity, always shared his harvest. Bala, however, was envious. One season, Bala secretly sabotaged Arun's crops, hoping to diminish his neighbor's prosperity. Arun's harvest suffered greatly. When Arun discovered Bala’s act, he could have sought revenge. Instead, he approached Bala with a gift of his remaining grain, offering it to help Bala's family through the lean times. Bala was stunned. Shame washed over him as he realized the depth of Arun's kindness. He confessed his actions, expecting anger, but found only compassion. Arun, with a gentle smile, helped Bala repair his fields. Bala, humbled and remorseful, became Arun’s most loyal friend, and the village witnessed the power of forgiveness and grace.