Kural #518
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Tamil text
வினைக்குரிமை நாடிய பின்றை
அவனை அதற்குரிய னாகச் செயல்
Viṉaikkurimai nāṭiya piṉṟai
Avaṉai ataṟkuriya ṉākac ceyal
English translation
After determining one's fitness for a task, make that person responsible for it.
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Explanation
Once capability is confirmed, give proper authority. Responsibility without authority leads to failure. This kural emphasizes empowering those assigned with tasks, not just delegating work.
விளக்கம்
ஒரு வேலையைச் செய்ய ஒருத்தர் தகுதியானவரான்னு பார்த்துட்டு, அப்புறமா அந்த வேலையை அவர்கிட்ட கொடுங்க. தகுதி இருந்தாத்தான் பொறுப்பை ஏத்து செவ்வனே செய்ய முடியும். இது 'தெரிந்து வினையாடல்' அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கிய கருத்து.
Word meanings
- வினைக்குviṉaikkufor the task
- உரிமைurimaifitness/right
- நாடியnāṭiyahaving examined
- பின்றைpiṉṟaiafter
- அவனைavaṉaihim
- அதற்குataṟkufor that
- உரியன்uriyaṉthe rightful one
- ஆகākaas
- செயல்ceyalmake/do
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, the King needed a new grain keeper. He interviewed many, testing their knowledge of measures and storage. Finally, he chose Elara, a woman known for her sharp mind. However, the King only *told* Elara to keep the grain. He kept the keys, managing the storehouse himself. Elara offered suggestions on pest control and inventory, but the King dismissed them. Soon, rats infested the storehouse. Grain spoiled. The villagers grumbled. Seeing the damage, the King grew angry. He summoned Elara, berating her for the ruined harvest. "But your Majesty," Elara pleaded, "I could not act! I had no power to implement the safeguards I knew were needed." The King, ashamed, realized his mistake. He gave Elara the keys, the authority to manage the storehouse fully. Elara, now empowered, implemented her plans. The next harvest was abundant, and the villagers were fed. The storehouse thrived under her care.