Kural #343
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Tamil text
அடல்வேண்டும் ஐந்தன் புலத்தை
விடல்வேண்டும் வேண்டிய வெல்லாம் ஒருங்கு
Aṭalvēṇṭum aintaṉ pulattai
Viṭalvēṇṭum vēṇṭiya vellām oruṅku
English translation
One must conquer the realm of the five senses and renounce all desires at once.
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Explanation
True renunciation requires both conquest over sensory temptations and simultaneous abandonment of all desires. Partial renunciation is ineffective - all attachments must be released together.
விளக்கம்
ஐம்புலன்களின் ஆசையை வெல்லணும். விரும்பிய எல்லாவற்றையும் ஒரே நேரத்தில் விடணும். துறவு அதிகாரத்தில், ஆசையை முழுமையாக விடுவதே சிறந்தது என்கிறது குறள். இதுவே உண்மையான துறவு.
Word meanings
- அடல்aṭalconquering
- வேண்டும்vēṇṭummust
- ஐந்தன்aintaṉof five
- புலத்தைpulattairealm/domain
- விடல்viṭalleaving/renouncing
- வேண்டியvēṇṭiyadesired things
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- ஒருங்குoruṅkuat once/together
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering lake, lived an old fisherman named Arul. He spent his days casting nets, but his heart craved more. He desired the finest silks, the tastiest fruits, and a grand house overlooking the water. One day, a wise traveler arrived, offering Arul a secret: a magic stone that granted wishes. Arul, overjoyed, wished for a small boat, then a bigger one, and finally, a fleet of them. He wished for a mountain of gold, then a palace to store it. But with each granted wish, a new desire blossomed. He craved the finest food, the softest beds, and the most beautiful women. He was never content. The traveler watched, a knowing smile on his face. Finally, Arul, exhausted by his unending wants, returned to the traveler. “The stone has brought me everything, yet I am empty,” he sighed. The traveler simply pointed towards the lake, where a lone fisherman peacefully cast his net, seemingly content with his simple life.