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Kural #367

Virtue· அறம்Curbing Desire· அவாவறுத்தல்

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Tamil text

அவாவினை ஆற்ற அறுப்பின்

தவாவினை தான்வேண்டும் ஆற்றான் வரும்

Avāviṉai āṟṟa aṟuppiṉ

Tavāviṉai tāṉvēṇṭum āṟṟāṉ varum

English translation

If one completely cuts off desire, the unfailing joy one seeks will come of its own accord.

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Explanation

When desire is thoroughly eliminated (ஆற்ற அறுப்பின்), permanent happiness arrives spontaneously. We need not chase joy - it comes naturally when the obstacle of desire is removed.

விளக்கம்

குறள் 367 விளக்கம்: ஆசையை முழுமையா அழிச்சா, நிலையான இன்பம் தானா வரும். ஆசையே துன்பத்துக்கு காரணம். ஆசைய விட்டா, அறத்தின் பலன் கிடைக்கும். இது அவாவறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.

Word meanings

  • அவாவினைavāviṉaidesire
  • ஆற்றāṟṟacompletely
  • அறுப்பின்aṟuppiṉif cut off
  • தவாவினைtavāviṉaiunfailing deed/joy
  • தான்tāṉitself
  • வேண்டும்vēṇṭumdesired
  • ஆற்றான்āṟṟāṉby its own way
  • வரும்varumwill come

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled endlessly, craving a bigger harvest than his neighbor. He planted more, worried more, and spent sleepless nights fretting over rain and sun. His fields, though large, yielded meager results. Bala, however, cultivated his small plot with gentle care. He weeded with patience, watered with gratitude, and accepted the weather's whims. He desired only enough for his family. He spent his evenings laughing with his children. One season, a terrible drought struck. Arun's large fields withered, and his worry deepened. Bala's small plot, though also affected, held a surprising resilience. The little water he had, used with careful intention, nourished his crops. When the harvest came, though small, it was enough. Arun, burdened by loss, could only watch as Bala’s family celebrated a simple, joyful feast.