Kural #315
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Tamil text
இன்னாசெய் தார்க்கும் இனியவே செய்யாமை
என்ன பயத்ததோ நன்று
Iṉṉācey tārkkum iṉiyavē ceyyāmai
Eṉṉa payattatō naṉṟu
English translation
What great benefit comes from not doing evil even to those who have harmed us? It is the highest good.
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Explanation
This kural emphasizes that refraining from retaliation, even when provoked, yields the greatest spiritual benefit. The question is rhetorical - the benefit is immeasurable.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள், நமக்குத் தீங்கு செய்தவர்க்கும் நன்மை செய்வதே அறம் என்கிறது. பதிலுக்குத் தீமை செய்யாதது பெரிய நன்மை. இது 'இன்னா செய்யாமை' அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியமானது.
Word meanings
- இன்னாiṉṉāharm/evil
- செய்தார்க்கும்ceytārkkumeven to those who did
- இனியiṉiyapleasant/good
- செய்யாமைceyyāmainot doing
- என்னeṉṉawhat
- பயத்ததுpayattatubenefit/result
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity, offered Bala a share of his harvest when Bala's crops failed. Years later, a drought struck, and Bala, driven by desperation, stole Arun's precious water. Arun discovered the theft but said nothing. Days later, heavy rains flooded the village, threatening Bala's home. Arun, seeing Bala struggling, rushed to help, diverting the floodwater away from Bala's dwelling. Neighbors, witnessing this, murmured in surprise. They wondered why Arun would help the man who had wronged him. Bala, ashamed and overwhelmed by Arun's kindness, confessed his theft. Arun simply smiled and helped rebuild Bala's home. In the following season, the two farmers worked side-by-side, their fields flourishing, their bond stronger than ever. The river continued to whisper its secrets to the land.