Kural #426
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
எவ்வ துறைவது உலகம்
உலகத்தோடு அவ்வ துறைவ தறிவு
Evva tuṟaivatu ulakam
Ulakattoṭu avva tuṟaiva taṟivu
English translation
Wisdom is living in harmony with the world, adapting to its ways.
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Explanation
The wise person does not fight against the world unnecessarily but learns to adapt and flow with it. This is not compromise but intelligent navigation - knowing when to adjust and when to stand firm.
விளக்கம்
உலகம் எப்படி இருக்கிறதோ, அதற்கேற்ப வாழ்வதே அறிவுடைமை. உலகத்தோடு ஒத்துப்போகும் திறனே அறிவு. இது அறிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியம். சூழ்நிலைக்கு ஏற்ப மாறுவதே புத்திசாலித்தனம்.
Word meanings
- எவ்வதுevvatuin whatever manner
- உறைவதுuṟaivatudwells/lives
- உலகம்ulakamworld
- உலகத்தோடுulakattoṭuwith the world
- அவ்வதுavvatuin that manner
- உறைவதுuṟaivatuliving
- அறிவுaṟivuwisdom
Story behind this kural
The old fisherman, Elango, knew the sea better than anyone in the village. One day, a fierce storm raged. While others huddled in fear, he went to the shore. Seeing the monstrous waves, the villagers shouted, "Turn back, Elango! You'll be lost!" Elango didn't argue. He watched the sea, understanding its power. He didn't try to fight the waves. Instead, he adjusted his sails, letting the wind guide his small boat. He steered *with* the storm, not against it. The other boats, battling the wind, were tossed about. Some capsized. But Elango, using his knowledge of the currents and the wind's rhythm, navigated the chaos. He reached the sheltered cove, safe. When the storm passed, and the sun shone again, the villagers asked, "How did you survive, Elango?" He simply smiled, mending his nets. They looked at the calm water and the wise fisherman.