Kural #34
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Tamil text
மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்
ஆகுல நீர பிற
Maṉattukkaṇ mācilaṉ ātal aṉaittaṟaṉ
Ākula nīra piṟa
English translation
Purity of mind is the essence of virtue; all else is mere show.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar declares that true virtue lies entirely in keeping one's mind (manatthukkan) free from impurity or stain (maasilan). All other external practices, rituals, and displays are merely for show or disturbance (aakula neera). This profound kural emphasizes inner purity over outward observance.
விளக்கம்
மனதில் கறை இல்லாமல் இருப்பதே அறம். மற்ற செயல்கள் எல்லாம் வெறும் ஆரவாரமே. 'அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்' அதிகாரத்தில், உள்ளத்தூய்மையே முக்கியம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். இதுவே சிறந்த நீதி.
Word meanings
- மனத்துக்கண்maṉattukkaṇin the mind
- மாசிலன்mācilaṉwithout stain/pure
- ஆதல்ātalbeing/becoming
- அனைத்துaṉaittuall/entire
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- ஆகுலākulanoise/show
- நீரnīranature of
- பிறpiṟaothers/rest
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous offerings at the temple, building grand walls, and donating to every festival. The villagers saw his outward piety and praised his devotion. Bala, however, lived a quiet life. He helped his neighbors, spoke kindly, and never missed an opportunity to ease another’s burden, but he did so without fanfare. One year, a terrible drought struck. The river dried, and the crops withered. Arun, despite his prayers and rituals, found his fields barren. Bala, with a heavy heart, shared his meager harvest, ensuring his neighbors had enough to survive. He did this quietly, without seeking recognition. When the rains finally returned, it was Bala’s field that flourished first. Arun’s crops, though he had prayed and offered more, remained stunted. The villagers realized the true measure of a man was not in his outward displays, but in the kindness that bloomed from within.