Kural #541
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஓர்ந்துகண் ணோடாது இறைபுரிந்து
யார்மாட்டும் தேர்ந்துசெய் வஃதே முறை
Ōrntukaṇ ṇōṭātu iṟaipurintu
Yārmāṭṭum tērntusey vaḥtē muṟai
English translation
Justice means investigating without bias, being impartial, examining thoroughly, and acting fairly toward all.
Listen
Explanation
True justice (முறை) has four elements: thorough investigation (ஓர்ந்து), impartiality without favoritism (கண்ணோடாது), adherence to dharma (இறைபுரிந்து), and equal treatment of all (யார்மாட்டும்). This is the essence of just rule.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 541: நீதி என்பது ஒரு விஷயத்தை நன்றாக விசாரித்து, யாரையும் பாரபட்சம் இல்லாமல் பார்த்து, தர்மத்தின்படி ஆராய்ந்து, எல்லோரையும் சமமாக நடத்துவதே. இதுவே செங்கோன்மை அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கியம். இது ஒரு நல்ல ஆட்சியின் அடிப்படை.
Word meanings
- ஓர்ந்துōrntuinvestigating
- கண்ணோடாதுkaṇṇōṭātuwithout partiality
- இறைiṟaidharma/duty
- புரிந்துpurintupracticing
- யார்மாட்டும்yārmāṭṭumtoward everyone
- தேர்ந்துtērntuexamining
- செய்வதுceyvatudoing
- ஏēindeed
- முறைmuṟaijustice
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, a farmer named Arul accused a merchant, Kumar, of stealing his prized ox. The village elder, a wise woman named Selvi, was asked to judge. Selvi listened intently to both men, asking questions about the ox's markings, the time of day it disappeared, and any witnesses. She examined Kumar's shop, searching for clues, and spoke with other villagers, not favoring either side. She learned that Arul, though honest, had a temper, and Kumar, though wealthy, was known for his cleverness. After days of careful consideration, Selvi announced her decision. The ox was found, hidden in a thicket near the river. It had wandered, not stolen. Though Arul was relieved, he realized his quick temper had nearly ruined an innocent man's reputation. Kumar, humbled, offered Arul assistance in rebuilding his fence. Harmony returned to the village, stronger than before.