Kural #363
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Tamil text
வேண்டாமை அன்ன விழுச்செல்வம் ஈண்டில்லை
ஆண்டும் அஃதொப்பது இல்
Vēṇṭāmai aṉṉa viḻucelvam īṇṭillai
Āṇṭum aḵtoppatu il
English translation
There is no excellent wealth like desirelessness here, nor anything equal to it elsewhere.
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Explanation
Desirelessness is declared the greatest wealth - விழுச்செல்வம் (excellent treasure). Neither in this world (ஈண்டு) nor in the heavens (ஆண்டு) is there anything comparable to freedom from desire.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 363 விளக்கம்: ஆசை இல்லாமை ஒரு சிறந்த செல்வம். இவ்வுலகிலும், மேலுலகிலும் அதற்கு நிகரான செல்வம் வேறில்லை. அவாவறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், ஆசையை விடுவதே மிக உயர்ந்த அறம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். ஆசையை வென்றால் மகிழ்ச்சி கிடைக்கும்.
Word meanings
- வேண்டாமைvēṇṭāmaidesirelessness
- அன்னaṉṉalike
- விழுviḻuexcellent
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- ஈண்டுīṇṭuhere
- இல்லைillaiis not
- ஆண்டும்āṇṭumthere also
- அஃதுaḵtuthat
- ஒப்பதுoppatuequal to
- இல்ilis not
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled relentlessly, always yearning for a bigger harvest, a grander house, more land. He spent his days fretting, his nights restless, dreaming of possessions. Bala, however, cultivated his small plot with contentment. He welcomed each season, enjoying the sun and rain, the simple pleasure of the earth. One year, a great storm ravaged the village. Arun’s grand house was destroyed, his fields flooded, his granary emptied. He despaired, his heart heavy with loss. Bala’s small hut weathered the storm, his modest crop, though lessened, still provided food. He surveyed the damage, his face serene. He helped his neighbors, offering what little he had. Arun, watching Bala’s calm amidst the chaos, asked, "How can you be so peaceful?" Bala smiled and simply replied, "I have what I need."