Kural #36
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Tamil text
அன்றறிவாம் என்னாது அறஞ்செய்க மற்றது
பொன்றுங்கால் பொன்றாத் துணை
Aṉṟaṟivām eṉṉātu aṟañceyka maṟṟatu
Poṉṟuṅkāl poṉṟāt tuṇai
English translation
Do virtue now, don't say "tomorrow"; it alone stands by you at death.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar warns against procrastination in virtuous deeds. Do not say "I will know it another day" or "I will do it tomorrow" (anru arivaam ennaathu). Practice virtue immediately (aram seyka), for it alone (matrathu) will be the imperishable companion (ponraat thunai) that stands by you when you perish (ponrungaal).
விளக்கம்
நாளைக்குச் செய்யலாம்" என்று தள்ளிப்போடாமல், இப்போதே அறம் செய்யுங்கள். ஏனென்றால், நாம் இறக்கும்போது அழியாத துணையாக அறமே நமக்கு உதவும். இது அறன்வலியுறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில் அறத்தின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- அன்றுaṉṟuanother day
- அறிவாம்aṟivāmwe will know
- என்னாதுeṉṉātuwithout saying
- அறஞ்செய்கaṟañceykado virtue
- மற்றதுmaṟṟatuthat alone
- பொன்றுங்கால்poṉṟuṅkālwhen perishing/at death
- பொன்றாத்poṉṟātimperishable
- துணைtuṇaicompanion/support
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous heart. He helped anyone in need, sharing his food and labor freely. Bala, however, always postponed his good deeds. "I'll help the poor farmer tomorrow," he'd say, or "Next week, I'll visit the lonely widow." One harsh winter, a fierce blizzard struck. Arun, having often helped gather firewood, was prepared, sharing his warmth with neighbors. Bala, delaying his good intentions, found himself with no wood and no help. The villagers, remembering his past reluctance, were too preoccupied to assist him. As the snow fell, Arun cared for his family and the vulnerable. Bala, shivering and alone, watched the community he could have joined. He learned that day the true value of kindness offered without delay. Only Arun's virtuous acts now kept him and his family safe.