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Kural #373

Virtue· அறம்Fate· ஊழ்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

நுண்ணிய நூல்பல கற்பினும்

மற்றுந்தன் உண்மை அறிவே மிகும்

Nuṇṇiya nūlpala kaṟpiṉum

Maṟṟuntaṉ uṇmai aṟivē mikum

English translation

Even if one studies many subtle texts, only the knowledge destined for one will prevail.

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Explanation

Despite extensive learning of profound texts, only the knowledge meant for you by destiny truly manifests. This humbling thought reminds us that learning alone doesn't guarantee wisdom.

விளக்கம்

விளக்கம்: பல நுட்பமான நூல்களைக் கற்றாலும், விதிப்படி நமக்கு வரவேண்டிய அறிவே நிலைக்கும். ஊழ் அதிகாரத்தில், நம் முயற்சியை மீறிய சக்தியுண்டு என்பதை இது உணர்த்துகிறது. கற்றல் முக்கியம், ஆனால் விதியை வெல்ல முடியாது.

Word meanings

  • நுண்ணியnuṇṇiyasubtle/profound
  • நூல்nūltexts/books
  • பலpalamany
  • கற்பினும்kaṟpiṉumeven if learned
  • மற்றும்maṟṟumyet
  • தன்taṉone's own
  • உண்மைuṇmaitrue/destined
  • அறிவேaṟivēknowledge only
  • மிகும்mikumwill prevail

Story behind this kural

In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two young scholars, Ravi and Bala. Both were eager to master the ancient arts. Ravi devoured every scroll he could find, his mind a whirlwind of facts and figures. He knew the names of every herb, the history of every king, the movements of every star. Bala, however, preferred quiet contemplation, spending hours observing the world around him. He learned from the farmer, the weaver, and the blacksmith, listening more than he spoke. When the King announced a contest of wisdom, Ravi was confident. He recited complex verses and answered riddles with ease. The crowd was amazed by his knowledge. Bala, however, spoke plainly, sharing simple truths he'd learned from the world. When a sudden storm threatened the village, it was Bala who remembered the signs, guiding the villagers to safety. Ravi, though knowing much about weather patterns, was lost in his books.