Kural #47
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Tamil text
இயல்பினான் இல்வாழ்க்கை வாழ்பவன் என்பான்
முயல்வாருள் எல்லாம் தலை
Iyalpiṉāṉ ilvāḻkkai vāḻpavaṉ eṉpāṉ
Muyalvāruḷ ellām talai
English translation
One who lives domestic life with proper conduct is the foremost among all who strive for virtue.
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Explanation
The word இயல்பு refers to the natural, proper way of living according to dharma. The householder who maintains this standard surpasses even ascetics and renunciates in spiritual attainment. The phrase முயல்வாருள் எல்லாம் (among all who strive) includes everyone seeking virtue, yet the righteous householder stands first.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள் இல்லறத்தின் சிறப்பைச் சொல்லுது. ஒழுங்கா இல்லறம் நடத்துறவன், அறம் தேடுற எல்லாரையும் விட உயர்ந்தவன். நல்ல குணத்தோட வாழ்வதே பெரிய தவம். இதுவே இல்வாழ்க்கையின் பெருமை.
Word meanings
- இயல்பினான்iyalpiṉāṉwith proper conduct/nature
- இல்வாழ்க்கைilvāḻkkaidomestic life
- வாழ்பவன்vāḻpavaṉone who lives
- என்பான்eṉpāṉcalled/one who is
- முயல்வாருள்muyalvāruḷamong those who strive
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- தலைtalaiforemost/head
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two men. The first, a wandering monk, wore simple robes and devoted his days to silent meditation in the forest. He sought enlightenment through solitude. The second, a farmer named Arul, tilled his land, shared his harvest with his neighbors, and cared for his wife and children. One harsh winter, the river froze. The monk, weakened by the cold and lack of food, stumbled into Arul’s home. Arul welcomed him, sharing his meager rations and offering warmth by the fire. He tended to the monk's needs while still working his fields. The monk, surprised by Arul's kindness and unwavering cheerfulness despite the hardship, asked, "How can you be so content, burdened by family and labor?" Arul smiled, "My family is my strength, my work, my offering. To live with kindness and duty is its own reward." The monk, gazing at the simple life, began to understand.