Kural #336
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Tamil text
நெருநல் உளனொருவன் இன்றில்லை
என்னும் பெருமை உடைத்துஇவ் வுலகு
Nerunal uḷaṉoruvaṉ iṉṟillai
Eṉṉum perumai uṭaittuiv vulaku
English translation
This world has the great quality of making us say "yesterday he was alive, today he is not."
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar uses irony - calling the world "great" for its capacity to snatch away life overnight. Death can come so swiftly that yesterday's living person is today's memory.
விளக்கம்
நேற்றிருந்தவர் இன்று இல்லையெனும் நிலையாமையை இவ்வுலகம் காட்டுகிறது. நிலையாமை அதிகாரத்தில், நேற்று உயிருடன் இருந்தவர் இன்று இல்லாமல் போவது உலகின் இயல்பு. வாழ்க்கையின் நிலையாமையை உணர்ந்து அறம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- நெருநல்nerunalyesterday
- உளன்uḷaṉwas alive
- ஒருவன்oruvaṉone person
- இன்றுiṉṟutoday
- இல்லைillaiis not
- என்னும்eṉṉumsaying
- பெருமைperumaigreatness
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas
- இவ்வுலகுivvulakuthis world
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Thiru, was known for his booming laugh and generous spirit. Every morning, he’d sit by the well, sharing stories and sweets with the children. The villagers relied on his wisdom, his strength a comforting presence in their lives. One day, a travelling merchant arrived, boasting of silks and jewels. Thiru, ever the gracious host, welcomed him. They feasted, and the merchant displayed his riches, promising a life of ease. The villagers were captivated. The next morning, however, the well was silent. The children searched for Thiru, but he was gone. A sudden illness had taken him in the night. The merchant, who had been so full of life and boasts the day before, quietly packed his goods and moved on. The villagers were left with memories, and the echoes of a laughter that would never return. The silence was a heavy reminder.