Kural #489
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Tamil text
எய்தற் கரியது இயைந்தக்கால்
அந்நிலையே செய்தற் கரிய செயல்
Eytaṟ kariyatu iyaintakkāl
Annillaiyē ceytaṟ kariya ceyal
English translation
When a rare opportunity arises, immediately perform the difficult deed that needs to be done.
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Explanation
Opportunities do not wait. When a rare chance presents itself, act decisively without hesitation. Delay means loss. The moment of opportunity is the moment for action.
விளக்கம்
அரிய வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தால், தயங்காமல் உடனே செயல்படணும். காலம் அறிந்து செயல்படுவது முக்கியம். தாமதித்தால், அந்த வாய்ப்பு நழுவிப் போகும். வெற்றி பெற இதுவே வழி.
Word meanings
- எய்தற்குeytaṟkuto attain
- அரியதுariyatudifficult thing
- இயைந்தக்கால்iyaintakkālwhen it comes together
- அந்நிலையேannillaiyēat that very moment
- செய்தற்குceytaṟkuto do
- அரியariyadifficult
- செயல்ceyalaction
Story behind this kural
The old potter, Elan, yearned to craft a vase fit for the King. It required a rare clay, found only at the mountain's peak, and a swift hand to shape it before the setting sun. Word spread that a landslide had exposed a fresh vein of the precious clay. Elan knew this was his chance. He gathered his tools, but his neighbor, Arun, scoffed. "The climb is treacherous, the sun is high! Rest first, potter." Elan, however, saw the fleeting opportunity. He ignored Arun's advice and raced toward the mountain. He reached the exposed clay and, working with focused energy, began crafting the vase. As the sun dipped, he finished, the magnificent vessel gleaming. The next day, the vein vanished, the landslide covering it once more. Arun, arriving late, could only shake his head. Elan, vase in hand, delivered his masterpiece to the King, his swift action rewarded.