Kural #351
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
பொருளல்ல வற்றைப் பொருளென்று உணரும்
மருளானாம் மாணாப் பிறப்பு
Poruḷalla vaṟṟaip poruḷeṉṟu uṇarum
Maruḷāṉām māṇāp piṟappu
English translation
Worthless births result from the delusion of considering unreal things as real.
Listen
Explanation
Thiruvalluvar teaches that mistaking the impermanent (body, wealth, status) for permanent reality leads to endless cycles of birth. True wisdom sees through this illusion. This is the essence of மெய்யுணர்தல் - perceiving ultimate truth.
விளக்கம்
மெய்யல்லாதவற்றை மெய்யென நினைப்பது மயக்கம். இதனால், பயனற்ற பிறவிகள் தொடரும். நிலையாமையை நிலையெனக் கருதும் அறியாமையை நீக்கி, மெய்யுணர்வை அடைவதே அறம். இது மெய்யுணர்தல் அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- பொருள்poruḷreal/substance
- அல்லவற்றைallavaṟṟaiunreal things
- என்றுeṉṟuas
- உணரும்uṇarumperceiving
- மருள்maruḷdelusion
- ஆனாம்āṉāmwill result in
- மாணாmāṇāworthless/unworthy
- பிறப்புpiṟappubirth
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village lived a merchant named Arun. He amassed a fortune in silks and spices, building a grand house and filling it with treasures. He reveled in his wealth, believing it secured his happiness and status. He scorned the humble farmer, Rajan, who lived a simple life, content with his small plot of land and family. One harsh winter, a devastating fire swept through the village. Arun’s grand house, with all its riches, turned to ash in a single night. He was left with nothing. Rajan, whose humble home was spared, offered Arun shelter and food. Arun, humbled and ashamed, saw the true value in Rajan's kindness and the simple joys of life. He realized the treasures he had chased were fleeting, while the bonds of friendship and the contentment of a simple life remained, warming him more than any silken garment ever could. He understood what truly mattered.