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Kural #349

Virtue· அறம்Renunciation· துறவு

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Tamil text

பற்றற்ற கண்ணே பிறப்பறுக்கும்

மற்று நிலையாமை காணப் படும்

Paṟṟaṟṟa kaṇṇē piṟappaṟukkum

Maṟṟu nilaiyāmai kāṇap paṭum

English translation

Only the moment of complete non-attachment cuts the cycle of rebirth; otherwise, one sees only impermanence.

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Explanation

Liberation comes at the exact moment of total detachment. Until then, one merely witnesses the endless cycle of impermanent existence.

விளக்கம்

பற்றுகளை விட்டொழிக்கும் கணமே பிறவித் துன்பத்தை நீக்கும். இல்லையென்றால், நிலையாமையை மட்டுமே உணர்வோம். துறவு அதிகாரத்தில், பற்றின்மை முக்திக்கு வழி என்பதை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். ஆசையை விடு, விடுதலை பெறு.

Word meanings

  • பற்றுpaṟṟuattachment
  • அற்றaṟṟawithout
  • கண்ணேkaṇṇēonly at that moment
  • பிறப்புpiṟappubirth/rebirth
  • அறுக்கும்aṟukkumwill cut
  • மற்றுmaṟṟuotherwise
  • நிலையாமைnilaiyāmaiimpermanence
  • காணப்படும்kāṇappaṭumwill be seen

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled endlessly, accumulating land and possessions. His house overflowed with riches, yet he was perpetually anxious, fearing loss. Each sunrise brought new worries, each sunset, fresh unease. Bala, however, owned only a simple hut and a small plot. He worked with the soil, content with each day’s harvest. When floods washed away his crops one year, he simply rebuilt, unburdened by grief. When Arun’s granary burst with grain, he offered help to those in need. One harsh winter, a severe illness swept through the village. Arun, hoarding his wealth, fell ill with worry. Bala, sharing his meager food and offering comfort, remained healthy, his heart at peace. As the seasons turned, Arun’s possessions remained, but his joy was gone, whereas Bala's spirit was free.