Kural #421
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Tamil text
அறிவற்றங் காக்குங் கருவி
செறுவார்க்கும் உள்ளழிக்க லாகா அரண்
Aṟivaṟṟaṅ kākkuṅ karuvi
Ceṟuvārkkum uḷḷaḻikka lākā araṇ
English translation
Wisdom is an instrument that guards against ruin; it is a fortress that even enemies cannot destroy from within.
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Explanation
Unlike physical fortresses that can be breached, wisdom provides internal protection that no enemy can penetrate. It guards not just the body but the mind and soul from destruction.
விளக்கம்
அறிவு அழிவிலிருந்து காக்கும் கருவி. எதிரிகளாலும் உள்ளிருந்து அழிக்க முடியாத கோட்டை போன்றது. அறிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், அறிவே சிறந்த பாதுகாப்பு என்பதை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அறிவால் நம்மை நாமே காத்துக்கொள்ளலாம்.
Word meanings
- அறிவுaṟivuwisdom/intelligence
- அற்றம்aṟṟamruin/destruction
- காக்கும்kākkumprotects
- கருவிkaruviinstrument/tool
- செறுவார்க்கும்ceṟuvārkkumeven for enemies
- உள்uḷfrom within
- அழிக்கல்aḻikkaldestroying
- ஆகாākānot possible
- அரண்araṇfortress
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Karthi and Vimal. Karthi was known for his vast storehouses and quick temper. Vimal, though, possessed nothing but a calm mind and a thirst for knowledge. One harsh winter, a neighboring kingdom, envious of the village's prosperity, launched an attack. Karthi, panicked, barricaded himself within his sturdy home, hoping to protect his wealth. The invaders, however, easily broke through the defenses, seizing his treasures and leaving him with nothing. Vimal, on the other hand, gathered the villagers. Using his understanding of the land and the enemy’s tactics, he led them in a clever defense. They used the forest's secrets to their advantage, confusing and outmaneuvering the invaders. Though the battle was fierce, the villagers, guided by Vimal's wisdom, prevailed, and the enemy retreated. Karthi, watching from afar, saw the true meaning of lasting security.