Kural #325
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Tamil text
நிலைஅஞ்சி நீத்தாருள் எல்லாம்
கொலைஅஞ்சிக் கொல்லாமை சூழ்வான் தலை
Nilaianji nīttāruḷ ellām
Kolaianji kollāmai cūḻvāṉ talai
English translation
Among all who have renounced worldly life fearing its instability, the foremost is one who fears killing and practices non-violence.
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Explanation
Even among renunciates, there is a hierarchy. The greatest ascetic is not one who has given up possessions or pleasures, but one who has completely renounced taking life.
விளக்கம்
உலக வாழ்க்கையின் நிலையாமை கண்டு துறந்தவர்கள் பலர். அவர்களுள், கொலை செய்வதை பயந்து, உயிர்களைக் காப்பவனே சிறந்தவன். கொல்லாமை அதிகாரத்தில், உயிர்கள் மீது கருணை காட்டுவதே அறம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- நிலைnilaistate/condition
- அஞ்சிanjifearing
- நீத்தார்nīttārthose who renounced
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- கொலைkolaikilling
- கொல்லாமைkollāmainot killing
- சூழ்வான்cūḻvāṉone who contemplates
- தலைtalaichief/foremost
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two hermits, both seeking enlightenment. The first, Kavi, owned nothing but a simple robe and a begging bowl. He fasted rigorously, spending his days in deep meditation. The second, Arul, also lived a simple life, but his hut was filled with rescued creatures: a wounded bird, a limping hare, a blind field mouse. One harsh winter, a hunter, desperate for food, cornered the hare near Arul's hut. Kavi, witnessing the scene, felt a surge of anger at the hunter's intrusion. He considered using his staff to drive the hunter away, but hesitated, remembering his vow of non-violence. Arul, however, stepped forward, offering the hunter his own meager rations, enough to feed him for a day. The hunter, shamed, left the hare unharmed. Kavi, watching this, understood the true meaning of renunciation.