Kural #331
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Tamil text
நில்லாத வற்றை நிலையின என்றுணரும்
புல்லறி வாண்மை கடை
Nillāta vaṟṟai nilaiyiṉa eṉṟuṇarum
Pullaṟi vāṇmai kaṭai
English translation
It is the lowest form of ignorance to consider impermanent things as permanent.
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Explanation
This chapter opens by criticizing the fundamental human delusion: treating temporary things as lasting. This basic error leads to attachment and suffering.
விளக்கம்
நில்லாத பொருளை நிலையானது என்று நினைப்பது தாழ்ந்த அறிவு. நிலையாமை அதிகாரத்தில், நிலையற்ற உலகில் பற்று வைக்காமல் இருக்கச் சொல்கிறார் வள்ளுவர். இது துன்பம் வராமல் காக்கும்.
Word meanings
- நில்லாதnillātaimpermanent things
- நிலையினnilaiyiṉaas permanent
- என்றுeṉṟuas
- உணரும்uṇarumto consider/know
- புல்pullow/base
- அறிவுaṟivuknowledge/wisdom
- ஆண்மைāṇmainature/quality
- கடைkaṭailowest
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village, lived a potter named Kumar. He crafted exquisite clay pots, each a unique work of art. The villagers admired his skill, and Kumar swelled with pride. He built a grand workshop to display his creations, believing his success would last forever. One day, a traveling merchant offered Kumar a fortune for his most prized pot. Kumar, blinded by the immediate wealth, sold it without hesitation. He spent the gold lavishly, building a larger home and feasting with friends. He believed his prosperity was now secured. However, a sudden storm struck the village. The river overflowed, flooding Kumar's workshop and sweeping away his beautiful pots, his new home, and his riches. Kumar, left with nothing, sat amongst the mud and debris, lamenting his loss. He realized then that the things he cherished were as fragile as the clay he once molded.