Kural #398
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Tamil text
ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி
ஒருவற்கு எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து
Orumaikkaṇ tāṉkaṟṟa kalvi
Oruvaṟku eḻumaiyum ēmāp puṭaittu
English translation
The learning acquired in one birth will protect a person through seven births.
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Explanation
A profound statement on the eternal value of education: கல்வி learned in ஒருமை (one life) provides ஏமாப்பு (protection) for எழுமை (seven births). Knowledge transcends physical death.
விளக்கம்
ஒரு பிறப்பில் கற்ற கல்வி, ஒருவருக்கு ஏழு பிறப்பிலும் பாதுகாப்பு தரும். கல்வி அழியாத செல்வம். இது கல்வி அதிகாரத்தில் கல்வியின் சிறப்பை கூறுகிறது. எனவே, நன்றாக படிக்க வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- ஒருமைக்கண்orumaikkaṇin one birth
- தான்tāṉoneself
- கற்றkaṟṟalearned
- கல்விkalvilearning
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- எழுமையும்eḻumaiyumthrough seven births
- ஏமாப்புēmāppuprotection
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived a young potter named Arun. He diligently learned his craft from his father, mastering the wheel and the kiln. When a great famine struck, many villagers, unskilled and unprepared, suffered greatly. Their homes crumbled, and their livelihoods vanished. Arun, however, thrived. He crafted sturdy pots to store precious water and grain, bartering them for food. Later, a traveling merchant sought Arun, impressed by his unique designs, offering him a place in a distant kingdom. Years passed. Arun, now an old man, lived a life of comfort. He taught his grandson the potter's art, ensuring the skill would continue. One night, a wise sage, passing through, admired Arun's work. He said, "Your hands shape not just clay, but destinies. The knowledge you hold, the skill you possess, will serve you in every journey."