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Kural #4

Virtue· அறம்The Praise of God· கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

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Tamil text

வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு

யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல

Vēṇṭutal vēṇṭāmai ilāṉaṭi cērntārkku

Yāṇṭum iṭumpai ila

English translation

For those who embrace the feet of Him who is free from desire and aversion, there will never be any sorrow.

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Explanation

God is described as beyond the dualities of like and dislike, want and rejection. The Divine is perfectly balanced, without cravings or hatred. Those who surrender to such a perfect being will transcend their own sorrows.

விளக்கம்

இக்குறள் கடவுள் வாழ்த்தில் உள்ளது. ஆசை, வெறுப்பு இல்லாத இறைவனின் திருவடியை அடைந்தவர்களுக்கு எப்போதும் துன்பம் இல்லை. கடவுளைச் சரணடைந்தால் கவலைகள் நீங்கும். இதுவே அறம்.

Word meanings

  • வேண்டுதல்vēṇṭutaldesire/wanting
  • வேண்டாமைvēṇṭāmaiaversion/not wanting
  • இலான்ilāṉHe who is without (both)
  • அடிaṭifeet
  • சேர்ந்தார்க்குcērntārkkufor those who reach/embrace
  • யாண்டும்yāṇṭumever/at any time
  • இடும்பைiṭumpaisorrow/suffering
  • இலilawill not be/is absent

Story behind this kural

In a serene village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled endlessly, craving a bountiful harvest. When droughts struck, his heart filled with despair. Bala, however, tended his fields with quiet diligence, accepting both sun and rain. One year, locusts devoured Arun's crops. He raged and cursed the heavens. Meanwhile, Bala's fields, though touched by the locusts, still yielded a modest harvest. He simply sighed, acknowledging the hardship. Arun, seeing Bala’s calm, questioned him. "How can you be so peaceful while your crops are also damaged?" Bala smiled, "I do what I can, friend. I do not cling to the outcome. I accept what comes, knowing the world turns as it must." Later, a great flood swept through the village. Arun lost everything, wailing in misery. Bala, though his home was damaged, stood steadfast, helping others. He had already learned that peace lies not in controlling the world, but in accepting its nature.