Kural #524
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Tamil text
சுற்றத்தால் சுற்றப் படஒழுகல்
செல்வந்தான் பெற்றத்தால் பெற்ற பயன்
Cuṟṟattāl cuṟṟap paṭaoḻukal
Celvantāṉ peṟṟattāl peṟṟa payaṉ
English translation
To be surrounded by kinsmen and to conduct oneself well - this is the true fruit of wealth.
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Explanation
The purpose of wealth (செல்வம்) is not hoarding but enabling one to be surrounded (சுற்றப்பட) by loving relatives. Wealth should strengthen family bonds. This is the real benefit (பயன்) of prosperity.
விளக்கம்
செல்வம் என்பது சுற்றத்தாரை அரவணைத்து, அவர்களால் சூழப்படுவதே. சுற்றந்தழால் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, குடும்ப உறவுகளை பலப்படுத்துவதே செல்வத்தின் உண்மையான பயன். இதுவே வாழ்வில் நாம் பெறக்கூடிய சிறந்த நன்மை.
Word meanings
- சுற்றத்தால்cuṟṟattālby kinsmen
- சுற்றப்படcuṟṟappaṭato be surrounded
- ஒழுகல்oḻukalconducting oneself
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- தான்tāṉitself
- பெற்றத்தால்peṟṟattālby obtaining
- பெற்றpeṟṟaobtained
- பயன்payaṉfruit/benefit
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a merchant named Arul. He owned vast granaries overflowing with rice and silks. His home was grand, his tables laden with food. Yet, Arul was often alone. He busied himself with trade, forgetting the warmth of kinship. One year, the rains failed. The river dwindled, and the villagers faced hardship. Arul, with his full granaries, could have helped. But he hesitated, fearing loss. His relatives, simple farmers, pleaded for assistance. He turned them away, his heart hardened by his wealth. Soon, the villagers, including his own kin, struggled. The once vibrant village grew silent with despair. Arul, surrounded by his riches, found himself isolated, his grand house echoing with emptiness. He ate alone, the finest food tasting like ash. He realized his wealth, without the love of his family, was a hollow victory.