Kural #51
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
மனைத்தக்க மாண்புடையள் ஆகித்தற்
கொண்டான் வளத்தக்காள் வாழ்க்கைத் துணை
Maṉaittakka māṇpuṭaiyaḷ ākittaṟ
Koṇṭāṉ vaḷattakkāḷ vāḻkkait tuṇai
English translation
She is the true helpmate in life who possesses the excellence befitting a home and lives within her husband's means.
Listen
Explanation
Thiruvalluvar begins this chapter by describing the ideal wife as one who has qualities suitable for managing a household (மனைத்தக்க மாண்பு) and who prudently lives within the family's financial means. This kural emphasizes both domestic competence and financial wisdom as essential qualities.
விளக்கம்
மனைவியானவள், வீட்டுக்கு ஏற்ற நற்குணங்களை உடையவளாகவும், கணவனின் வருமானத்திற்கு ஏற்ப வாழ்பவளாகவும் இருக்க வேண்டும். இதுவே சிறந்த வாழ்க்கைத்துணைக்கான இலக்கணம். இல்லற வாழ்க்கையில் சிக்கனம் மிக முக்கியம் என்பதை இக்குறள் வலியுறுத்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- மனைmaṉaihome/household
- தக்கtakkabefitting/suitable
- மாண்புmāṇpuexcellence/dignity
- உடையள்uṭaiyaḷshe who possesses
- ஆகிākibeing/becoming
- தன்taṉher
- கொண்டான்koṇṭāṉhusband (he who married her)
- வளம்vaḷamwealth/means
- தக்காள்takkāḷshe who is suitable/within
- வாழ்க்கைvāḻkkailife
- துணைtuṇaicompanion/helpmate
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived a potter named Kumar. His wife, Priya, was known for her gentle nature and skillful hands. Kumar, though a talented potter, sometimes struggled to manage his earnings. He dreamt of grand kilns and elaborate designs, often spending more than they could afford. Priya, however, possessed a different kind of wisdom. She carefully managed their small home, mending clothes, and turning simple meals into feasts. When Kumar brought home costly clay, she would gently remind him of their limited resources, suggesting he first sell his finished pots. She'd then help him select projects, focusing on practical items the villagers needed. One year, a wealthy merchant offered Kumar a large sum for a set of extravagant vases. Kumar, excited, agreed. He spent lavishly on materials, but the vases, though beautiful, were slow to sell. Kumar worried, but Priya calmly sold her handcrafted pots, ensuring they had food and shelter. The merchant eventually purchased the vases, but Kumar realized Priya’s steady guidance was a greater treasure.