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Kural #372

Virtue· அறம்Fate· ஊழ்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

பேதைப் படுக்கும் இழவூழ்

அறிவகற்றும் ஆகலூழ் உற்றக் கடை

Pētaip paṭukkum iḻavūḻ

Aṟivakaṟṟum ākalūḻ uṟṟak kaṭai

English translation

Adverse fate makes one foolish; favorable fate brings forth wisdom.

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Explanation

This continues the theme: இழவூழ் (fate of loss) creates பேதைமை (foolishness), while ஆகலூழ் (fate of gain) awakens wisdom. Our mental state itself is influenced by our destiny.

விளக்கம்

விளக்கம்: இழவூழ் வந்தால், முட்டாள்தனம் உண்டாகும்; நல்ல ஊழ் வந்தால், அறிவு பெருகும். ஊழ் அதிகாரத்தில், விதியின் வலிமையை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். விதிப்படி நம் மனநிலை மாறும். விதியை நம்பி சோம்பேறியாக இருக்கக் கூடாது.

Word meanings

  • பேதைpētaifool
  • படுக்கும்paṭukkummakes
  • இழவூழ்iḻavūḻfate of loss
  • அறிவுaṟivuwisdom
  • அகற்றும்akaṟṟumbrings forth
  • ஆகலூழ்ākalūḻfate of gain
  • உற்றக்கடைuṟṟakkaṭaiwhen it comes

Story behind this kural

In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, blessed with a fertile plot, enjoyed bountiful harvests year after year. He invested wisely, shared generously, and his barns overflowed. His heart, like his fields, flourished with kindness and understanding. Bala, however, toiled on barren land. Drought withered his crops, and misfortune shadowed his every step. He grew bitter, hoarding what little he had, blaming others for his plight. Suspicion and anger clouded his judgment. One season, a great storm ravaged both their lands. Arun, despite his losses, helped rebuild Bala's farm. Bala, humbled by Arun's generosity, finally saw the folly of his bitterness. As they worked side-by-side, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter on both their fields.