Kural #39
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Tamil text
அறத்தான் வருவதே இன்பம் மற்றெல்லாம்
புறத்த புகழும் இல
Aṟattāṉ varuvatē iṉpam maṟṟellām
Puṟatta pukaḻum ila
English translation
Only joy from virtue is true joy; all else lacks both inner worth and fame.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar asserts that only the happiness (inpam) that comes from virtue (aratthan varuvathe) is true happiness. All other pleasures (matru ellaam) are external (puratha) and lack even fame or glory (pukazhum ila). This kural distinguishes between fleeting worldly pleasures and the lasting joy of righteous living.
விளக்கம்
அறத்தினால் வருவதுதான் உண்மையான மகிழ்ச்சி. மற்ற இன்பங்கள் நிலையற்றவை, புகழும் தராது. அறன்வலியுறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், அறமே வலிமையானது என்று வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அறம் செய்வதால் கிடைக்கும் இன்பமே சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- அறத்தான்aṟattāṉfrom virtue
- வருவதேvaruvatēthat which comes
- இன்பம்iṉpamhappiness/joy
- மற்றெல்லாம்maṟṟellāmall others
- புறத்தpuṟattaexternal
- புகழும்pukaḻumfame also
- இலilawithout/lacking
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity, always shared his harvest, even when his own stores were low. Bala, however, hoarded his crops, building a grand house and filling his barns to overflowing. One year, a terrible drought struck. Arun, despite his meager supplies, offered what he had to the needy villagers. Though his family went hungry, their hearts were full of kindness. Bala, safe within his walls, watched the suffering outside, unwilling to share. When the rains finally returned, Arun's small field flourished, yielding a bountiful crop. His neighbors, grateful for his past generosity, helped him reap the harvest. Bala's land, though fertile, seemed barren. His wealth offered no solace, only the chilling emptiness of a lonely existence. The villagers, now thriving, still remembered who had offered help in their darkest hour.