Kural #49
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Tamil text
அறன்எனப் பட்டதே இல்வாழ்க்கை அஃதும்
பிறன்பழிப்ப தில்லாயின் நன்று
Aṟaṉeṉap paṭṭatē ilvāḻkkai aḵtum
Piṟaṉpaḻippa tillāyiṉ naṉṟu
English translation
Domestic life itself is virtue; it is especially good when lived without inviting blame from others.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar declares that இல்வாழ்க்கை is அறன் (virtue) itself - not merely a path to virtue, but virtue embodied. The additional condition - பிறன்பழிப்பதில்லாயின் (if others do not blame) - emphasizes that a truly virtuous household maintains its reputation and does not give cause for criticism from society.
விளக்கம்
இல்வாழ்க்கையே அறம் என்கிறது குறள். பிறர் குறை சொல்லாதபடி வாழ்ந்தால், அது இன்னும் சிறந்தது. பிறர் பழிக்கும் செயல்களைத் தவிர்த்து, அறத்துடன் வாழ வேண்டும் என்பதே இதன் கருத்து. இது இல்வாழ்க்கை அதிகாரத்தில் வருகிறது.
Word meanings
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- எனப்பட்டதேeṉappaṭṭatēis called/is itself
- இல்வாழ்க்கைilvāḻkkaidomestic life
- அஃதும்aḵtumthat also
- பிறன்piṟaṉothers
- பழிப்பதுpaḻippatublaming
- இல்லாயின்illāyiṉif there is not
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood/excellent
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a potter named Kumar. He crafted beautiful vessels, known throughout the land. Kumar was generous, always offering water to travelers and sharing his food with the needy. Yet, he often spoke harshly to his wife, his words sharp as broken pottery. Across the village, lived a farmer named Arul. He worked tirelessly, his fields overflowing with grain. Arul was diligent and kind to his family. Though he kept his house simple, he always spoke respectfully to his wife and children, and treated his neighbors with courtesy. One year, a great drought struck. Kumar's generosity was remembered, and many sought his help. Yet, whispers of his unkindness towards his wife followed him, and some hesitated to accept his aid. Arul, however, faced no such hesitation. His community rallied around him, offering support and sharing resources. They knew his home was a haven of kindness, and they trusted him completely. Kumar learned a valuable lesson that year.