Kural #348
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Tamil text
தலைப்பட்டார் தீரத் துறந்தார்
மயங்கி வலைப்பட்டார் மற்றை யவர்
Talaippaṭṭār tīrat tuṟantār
Mayaṅki valaippaṭṭār maṟṟai yavar
English translation
Those who have completely renounced have reached the goal; all others are caught in the net of delusion.
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Explanation
Humanity is divided into two groups: complete renunciates who have attained their goal, and everyone else caught in maya's net. There is no middle ground.
விளக்கம்
முழுமையாகத் துறந்தோர் வீடுபேறு அடைவர். மற்றவர்கள் ஆசையெனும் வலையில் சிக்கித் தவிப்பர். துறவு அதிகாரத்தில், பற்றுகளை விட்டொழித்தலே உயர்ந்த நிலை என்கிறது குறள். ஆசையை வெல்வதே வாழ்வின் இலக்கு.
Word meanings
- தலைப்பட்டார்talaippaṭṭārthose who reached
- தீரtīracompletely
- துறந்தார்tuṟantārthose who renounced
- மயங்கிmayaṅkibeing deluded
- வலைப்பட்டார்valaippaṭṭārcaught in net
- மற்றையவர்maṟṟaiyavarthe others
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering lake, lived two fishermen, Arul and Kumar. Arul, content with a simple life, mended his nets only when they were torn, taking only what he needed to feed his family. He’d cast his line, and if the fish were plentiful, he’d share with his neighbors. Kumar, however, was never satisfied. He spent every waking hour on the lake, casting wider nets, driven by a relentless desire for a larger catch. He built a grand house and filled it with treasures, yet his heart remained restless. One day, a terrible storm swept across the lake. Arul, having fished only for his supper, quickly secured his small boat and returned home to his family. Kumar, far out on the water with his vast nets, struggled against the furious wind. His boat capsized, and he lost everything. Arul, safe and sound, watched the storm pass. He looked at his simple life and smiled.