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Kural #46

Virtue· அறம்The Householder's Life· இல்வாழ்க்கை

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Tamil text

அறத்தாற்றின் இல்வாழ்க்கை ஆற்றின்

புறத்தாற்றிற் போஒய்ப் பெறுவ தெவன்

Aṟattāṟṟiṉ ilvāḻkkai āṟṟiṉ

Puṟattāṟṟiṟ pōoyp peṟuva tevaṉ

English translation

If one leads domestic life in the path of virtue, what greater gain can be obtained by going to the path of renunciation?

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Explanation

This is a powerful statement elevating the householder's life. Thiruvalluvar argues that a virtuous domestic life (அறத்தாற்றின் இல்வாழ்க்கை) is equal to or greater than the renunciate's path (புறத்தாற்று). One need not abandon family to attain spiritual merit. This is a remarkably progressive view that validates the spiritual worth of ordinary family life.

விளக்கம்

இக்குறள், இல்வாழ்க்கையின் சிறப்பைச் சொல்கிறது. அறவழியில் குடும்ப வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்தால், துறவறம் மேற்கொள்வதால் என்ன பயன்? அறத்துடன் வாழும் இல்லறமே மேலானது. இல்லற வாழ்வில் அறம் செய்வதே முக்கியம்.

Word meanings

  • அறத்தாற்றின்aṟattāṟṟiṉin the path of virtue
  • இல்வாழ்க்கைilvāḻkkaidomestic life
  • ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉif one follows
  • புறத்தாற்றில்puṟattāṟṟilin the external path/renunciation
  • போஒய்pōoygoing
  • பெறுவதுpeṟuvatuobtaining/gaining
  • எவன்evaṉwhat?

Story behind this kural

In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, drawn to solitude, left his family to wander as a hermit, seeking enlightenment in quiet meditation. Bala, however, remained, working his fields and raising his children with kindness. Years passed. Arun, thin and weathered, returned to the village, expecting to be revered for his spiritual pursuits. He found Bala, his face etched with the lines of laughter and hard work, tending to his family. The village thrived, supported by Bala's generosity and honest dealings. Arun, seeing the well-fed children playing and the contented smiles of the villagers, felt a pang of unease. He asked Bala, "What merit have you earned, remaining here, when I have sought the divine?" Bala simply smiled, gesturing to his children, his fields, and the grateful villagers. He said, "I have walked a path of service, offering shelter, food, and love. Perhaps the divine is found not only in retreat, but also in the humble act of nurturing life."