Kural #410
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Tamil text
விலங்கொடு மக்கள் அனையர்
இலங்குநூல் கற்றாரோடு ஏனை யவர்
Vilaṅkoṭu makkaḷ aṉaiyar
Ilaṅkunūl kaṟṟārōṭu ēṉai yavar
English translation
Compared to those who have learned the shining scriptures, others are like animals among humans.
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Explanation
This final kural of the chapter delivers a harsh truth: those who do not educate themselves are no different from animals. What distinguishes humans is the capacity to learn - failing to use it reduces one to the level of beasts.
விளக்கம்
கல்லாதவர் விலங்கு போலாவர். சிறந்த நூல்களைக் கற்றவரே மனிதர். கல்வி அறிவே மனிதரை உயர்த்தும்; கல்லாமை இழிவு தரும். கற்க வேண்டியதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை இது உணர்த்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- விலங்கொடுvilaṅkoṭuwith animals
- மக்கள்makkaḷhumans
- அனையர்aṉaiyarare like
- இலங்குilaṅkushining/excellent
- நூல்nūlscriptures/texts
- கற்றாரோடுkaṟṟārōṭucompared to those who learned
- ஏனையவர்ēṉaiyavarothers
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, the elder, spent his days tending the family’s meager farm, content with the rising sun and the setting moon. Bala, however, was drawn to the village elder, spending hours listening to stories and learning to read the ancient scrolls. One harsh winter, the river froze, and the village faced starvation. Arun, panicked, saw only the immediate problem. He hoarded his grain, fearing for his own survival. Bala, remembering the elder’s lessons, recalled tales of a hidden spring. He led the villagers, following the scrolls' instructions, and found water beneath the ice. The village was saved. While Arun watched, consumed by his own fear, Bala's knowledge brought forth life for them all.