Kural #391
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை
கற்றபின் நிற்க அதற்குத் தக
Kaṟka kacaṭaṟak kaṟpavai
Kaṟṟapiṉ niṟka ataṟkut taka
English translation
Learn thoroughly what should be learned; after learning, live according to that knowledge.
Listen
Explanation
Thiruvalluvar's famous educational dictum: கற்க - learn! Learn கசடு அற - flawlessly/without blemish. Then நிற்க - stand firm in that learning. Knowledge must transform into righteous conduct.
விளக்கம்
கல்வி அதிகாரத்தில், திருவள்ளுவர் கூறும் அறிவுரை இது. எதை கற்க வேண்டுமோ அதை குற்றம் இல்லாமல் கற்க வேண்டும். கற்றபின், அந்தக் கல்விக்கு ஏற்ப நம் வாழ்க்கையை மாற்றிக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். கற்றதை வாழ்க்கையில் கடைப்பிடித்தாலே கல்வி முழுமையடையும்.
Word meanings
- கற்கkaṟkalearn!
- கசடுkacaṭuflaw/impurity
- அறaṟawithout
- கற்பவைkaṟpavaiwhat should be learned
- கற்றபின்kaṟṟapiṉafter learning
- நிற்கniṟkastand firm
- அதற்குataṟkuto that
- தகtakasuitably
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters. Kumar, the elder, spent years perfecting his craft, studying the shape of the clay, the heat of the fire. His pots were flawless, but he hoarded his knowledge, never sharing it. Arun, the younger, learned from Kumar. He diligently observed every step, but he also remembered the villagers' needs: wide-mouthed pots for water, slender ones for oil. He learned not just the craft, but its purpose. Kumar's pots, though perfect, gathered dust in his workshop. Arun's, though simple, filled the village homes. He taught others his craft, ensuring everyone had sturdy vessels. When the rains came, Kumar's roof leaked, but Arun's home stood strong, built with the same care he gave his pots.