Kural #333
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Tamil text
அற்கா இயல்பிற்றுச் செல்வம்
அதுபெற்றால் அற்குப ஆங்கே செயல்
Aṟkā iyalpiṟṟuc celvam
Atuppeṟṟāl aṟkupa āṅkē ceyal
English translation
Wealth is inherently unstable; when obtained, one should immediately do enduring good with it.
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Explanation
Understanding wealth's impermanent nature, the wise convert it to permanent merit through charitable deeds. This is practical wisdom based on philosophical insight.
விளக்கம்
செல்வம் நிலையற்றது. கிடைத்த உடனேயே அறம் செய்து அதை நிலைநிறுத்த வேண்டும். நிலையாமை அதிகாரத்தில் செல்வம் அழியும் என்பதை உணர்ந்து நற்செயல்கள் செய்ய வலியுறுத்துகிறார் திருவள்ளுவர்.
Word meanings
- அற்காaṟkānot lasting
- இயல்பிற்றுiyalpiṟṟuis the nature
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- அதுatuthat
- பெற்றால்peṟṟālif obtained
- அற்குபaṟkupalasting things
- ஆங்கேāṅkēimmediately
- செயல்ceyaldo/deed
Story behind this kural
The merchant, Arun, struck gold. Ships laden with spices and silks filled his coffers. He built a grand house with towering pillars and adorned himself with jewels. Villagers whispered tales of his fortune, envying his feasts and fine clothes. Across the village lived Kumar, a humble potter. He, too, prospered, selling his sturdy pots and graceful urns. But Kumar used his earnings differently. He built a well for the thirsty, a shelter for the homeless, and he always gave to those in need. A great storm arrived. The river swelled, washing away Arun’s opulent home and drowning his ships. The jewels lost their luster, and the fine clothes became rags. Arun, stripped of everything, was left with nothing but regret. Kumar’s home, however, stood strong, and the well continued to provide water. The shelter remained a refuge. Kumar, though still a potter, possessed something Arun never could: the enduring gratitude of his community and the peace of a life well-lived.