Kural #323
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஒன்றாக நல்லது கொல்லாமை
மற்றதன் பின்சாரப் பொய்யாமை நன்று
Oṉṟāka nallatu kollāmai
Maṟṟataṉ piṉcārap poyyāmai naṉṟu
English translation
The foremost virtue is non-killing; next to it is truthfulness.
Listen
Explanation
A clear hierarchy of virtues is established: not taking life is supreme, followed by not lying. Both involve restraining harmful actions - one physical, one verbal.
விளக்கம்
கொல்லாமை முதன்மையான அறம். உயிர்களை வதைக்காமல் இருப்பது மிக நல்லது. அதற்கு அடுத்தபடியாக பொய் சொல்லாமல் இருப்பது நல்லது. உயிர்களிடத்தில் கருணை காட்டுவதே அறத்தின் அடிப்படை என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- ஒன்றாகoṉṟākaas the first/primary
- நல்லதுnallatugood thing
- கொல்லாமைkollāmainot killing
- மற்றுmaṟṟuand/then
- அதன்ataṉits
- பின்piṉafter
- சாரcāranear/next
- பொய்யாமைpoyyāmaitruthfulness
- நன்றுnaṉṟuis good
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was a hunter, skilled with bow and arrow, providing meat for their family. Bala was a weaver, known for his truthful words and intricate tapestries. One day, Arun tracked a deer, its eyes wide with fear. He drew his bow, aiming for the heart. Just as he was about to release the arrow, Bala rushed forward, pleading, "Brother, let it live! What good is a meal if it costs a life?" Arun hesitated, lowering his bow. Later, a merchant arrived, admiring Bala's work. He offered a high price, but when asked about the source of his dyes, Bala knew they were obtained unfairly. He could have lied, secured the sale, and helped his family, but instead, he confessed the truth, losing the sale. That evening, the brothers shared a simple meal. Arun, though he had nothing to show for his hunt, felt a lightness in his heart. Bala, though poorer for his honesty, felt a quiet satisfaction.