Kural #41
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Tamil text
இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் இயல்புடைய மூவர்க்கும்
நல்லாற்றின் நின்ற துணை
Ilvāḻvāṉ eṉpāṉ iyalpuṭaiya mūvarkkum
Nallāṟṟiṉ niṉṟa tuṇai
English translation
The true householder is one who stands as a steadfast support in the path of virtue for the three orders who are bound by their duties.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar opens this chapter by defining the ideal householder. The "three orders" (மூவர்) traditionally refers to students (பிரமசாரிகள்), ascetics (வனப்பிரஸ்தர்), and renunciates (சந்நியாசிகள்) - all of whom depend on householders for food and support. The householder's life is not inferior to renunciation; rather, it is the foundation that sustains all other ways of life.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள் இல்லறத்தின் சிறப்பைச் சொல்கிறது. இல்லறத்தான், பிரம்மச்சாரி, துறவி, வானப்பிரஸ்தன் ஆகிய மூவருக்கும் நல்ல வழியில் உறுதுணையாக இருக்க வேண்டும். அறவழியில் பிறருக்கு உதவும் இல்லறமே சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- இல்வாழ்வான்ilvāḻvāṉthe householder/one who lives domestic life
- என்பான்eṉpāṉis called/one who is
- இயல்புடையiyalpuṭaiyabound by nature/duty
- மூவர்க்கும்mūvarkkumfor the three orders
- நல்லாற்றின்nallāṟṟiṉin the good path/path of virtue
- நின்றniṉṟastanding firm
- துணைtuṇaisupport/help
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a kind farmer named Arul. His days were filled with tending his fields, but his heart held a larger purpose. He knew the wandering monks who sought enlightenment needed sustenance, so he always left a portion of his harvest at the edge of his field. One harsh winter, the monks’ usual route was blocked by snow. News reached Arul of their hardship. Without hesitation, he organized the villagers. They gathered firewood, prepared warm meals, and cleared a path to the monks' temporary shelter. Among them was a young scholar, weary from his studies, and an elderly woman seeking solace from her past. Arul welcomed them all, sharing his meager resources with generosity. When spring finally arrived, the monks, the scholar, and the woman, stronger and nourished, continued their journeys, carrying with them the warmth of the village and the memory of Arul’s open heart.