Kural #411
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் செவிச்செல்வம்
அச்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் தலை
Celvattuḷ celvam cevicelvam
Accelvam celvattuḷ ellām talai
English translation
The wealth of the ear is the wealth of all wealths; that wealth stands foremost among all forms of wealth.
Listen
Explanation
Among all types of riches, the knowledge gained through listening is supreme. Material wealth can be lost or stolen, but what you have heard and learned remains with you forever and multiplies when shared.
விளக்கம்
செல்வங்கள் பல இருந்தாலும், காதால் கேட்டுப் பெறும் அறிவே சிறந்த செல்வம். அது மற்ற செல்வங்களை விட உயர்ந்தது. கேள்வி அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். கேட்டறிவதால் கிடைக்கும் ஞானம் அழியாத செல்வம்.
Word meanings
- செல்வத்துள்celvattuḷamong wealths
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- செவிceviear
- செவிச்செல்வம்cevicelvamwealth of the ear (learning)
- அச்செல்வம்accelvamthat wealth
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- தலைtalaiforemost/chief
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun inherited a vast rice field, while Bala, being the younger, received only a small plot. Arun, consumed by expanding his farm, ignored the village elder’s wisdom. He scorned advice, believing only in what he could see and touch. Bala, however, frequented the elder, listening intently to his stories and teachings. He learned about crop rotation, irrigation, and the changing weather. When a drought struck, Arun's fields withered, but Bala, guided by the elder’s knowledge, implemented clever water-saving techniques. His small plot yielded a surprising harvest, enough to feed his family and even trade for goods. Arun, watching his brother’s success, realized the true value was not in the land itself, but in the knowledge that watered the seeds of prosperity. He finally understood where true and lasting wealth resided.