Kural #53
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Tamil text
இல்லதென் இல்லவள் மாண்பானால்
உள்ளதென் இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடை
Illateṉ illavaḷ māṇpāṉāl
Uḷḷateṉ illavaḷ māṇāk kaṭai
English translation
What does one lack if the wife is excellent? What does one possess if she lacks excellence?
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Explanation
Through a powerful rhetorical question, Thiruvalluvar declares that a virtuous wife is everything - with her, nothing is lacking; without her excellence, nothing else matters. The wife's character is portrayed as the foundation of all prosperity.
விளக்கம்
மனைவி நல்ல குணமுடையவளானால், வீட்டில் என்ன குறை இருக்க முடியும்? அவள் நல்லவள் இல்லையென்றால், வேறு என்னதான் இருந்தாலும் பயனில்லை. வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம் அதிகாரத்தில், மனைவியின் சிறப்பை வள்ளுவர் வலியுறுத்துகிறார். நல்ல மனைவி எல்லா நலன்களையும் தருவாள்.
Word meanings
- இல்லதுillatuwhat is lacking
- என்eṉwhat?
- இல்லவள்illavaḷthe wife
- மாண்புmāṇpuexcellence
- ஆனால்āṉālif she has
- உள்ளதுuḷḷatuwhat is there
- மாணாmāṇāwithout excellence
- கடைkaṭaiend/when/if
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a wealthy merchant named Arul. He owned vast lands and a thriving business, yet he was known for his discontent. His wife, Meena, possessed a gentle spirit and a kind heart. She managed their household with grace, always offering wise counsel and unwavering support. One day, Arul decided to build a grand mansion, bigger than any in the village. Despite the impressive structure, his unhappiness persisted. He then sought to expand his trade, accumulating more riches. Still, a shadow of emptiness lingered. His friends and family tried to cheer him, but nothing seemed to work. Meanwhile, a poor farmer named Selvan, whose wife was known for her harsh words and selfish ways, toiled tirelessly. Though he struggled with meager harvests and lived in a simple hut, he often found himself in a state of bitterness. One harsh winter, both men faced difficult challenges. Arul lost much of his wealth in a storm, while Selvan's crops failed. Arul, however, found comfort in Meena's steadfast love and encouragement. Selvan, however, faced his wife's endless complaints and blame.