Kural #54
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Tamil text
பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள
கற்பென்னும் திண்மைஉண் டாகப் பெறின்
Peṇṇiṉ peruntakka yāvuḷa
Kaṟpeṉṉum tiṇmaiuṇ ṭākap peṟiṉ
English translation
What is more excellent than a wife, if she possesses the strength of virtue called chastity?
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Explanation
This kural praises கற்பு (karpu), which means fidelity, integrity, and moral steadfastness. Thiruvalluvar describes this quality as திண்மை (strength/firmness), indicating that chastity is not weakness but inner strength. A woman with this quality surpasses all else in excellence.
விளக்கம்
பெண்ணின் கற்பென்னும் வலிமை இருந்தால், அவளை விட மேலான செல்வம் வேறில்லை. கற்பு என்பது வெறும் ஒழுக்கம் மட்டுமல்ல, அது மன உறுதி. இல்லற வாழ்க்கைக்கு இது மிகவும் முக்கியம், ஏனென்றால் அது அன்பையும் நம்பிக்கையையும் வளர்க்கிறது.
Word meanings
- பெண்ணின்peṇṇiṉthan a woman
- பெருந்தக்கperuntakkamore excellent
- யாyāwhat
- உளuḷais there
- கற்புkaṟpuchastity/fidelity
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled/known as
- திண்மைtiṇmaistrength/firmness
- உண்டாகuṇṭākato have/possess
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtains
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived a woodcutter named Arul and his wife, Vani. Arul often journeyed deep into the woods, leaving Vani alone. One day, a wealthy merchant, passing through, saw Vani and, captivated by her beauty, offered her jewels and silks if she would leave Arul. Vani listened, her eyes reflecting the merchant's glittering promises. But then, she thought of Arul, his honest eyes, and the simple life they shared. She remembered the vow they made. "My heart belongs to my husband," she replied, refusing the merchant's gifts. The merchant, angered, spread rumors, hoping to turn the villagers against her. He sowed seeds of doubt in their minds, whispering tales of her supposed greed. Yet, when Arul returned, he found Vani tending their home, her face serene, her spirit unyielding. He saw through the whispers and knew his wife’s heart. The villagers, witnessing her unwavering kindness and patience, soon saw the truth as well.