Kural #544
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
குடிதழீஇக் கோலோச்சும் மாநில மன்னன்
அடிதழீஇ நிற்கும் உலகு
Kuṭitaḻīik kōlōccum māṉila maṉṉaṉ
Aṭitaḻīi niṟkum ulaku
English translation
The world will embrace and stand by the feet of the great king who embraces his subjects and wields the scepter justly.
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Explanation
Reciprocity in governance: a king who embraces (தழீஇ) his people and rules justly will be embraced by the world. As the ruler treats his subjects, so shall the world treat him.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 544 விளக்கம்: தன் மக்களை அன்போடு அரவணைத்து, நேர்மையுடன் ஆட்சி செய்யும் அரசனை உலகமே போற்றும். செங்கோன்மை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்லாட்சி செய்தால் உலகமே அவன் காலடியில் இருக்கும். இதுவே நீதியின் சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭisubjects/people
- தழீஇtaḻīiembracing
- கோல்kōlscepter
- ஓச்சும்ōccumwielding
- மாநிலம்māṉilamgreat land
- மன்னன்maṉṉaṉking
- அடிaṭifeet
- நிற்கும்niṟkumwill stand
- உலகுulakuworld
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, King Alaric ruled with a heavy hand. Taxes were steep, justice swift but often unfair, and the villagers lived in fear. The royal granaries overflowed while the people struggled. Whispers of discontent filled the marketplace. One day, a neighboring kingdom, known for its prosperity and fair ruler, offered Eldoria a trade agreement. King Alaric, greedy for more wealth, dismissed the offer, fearing it would benefit the villagers more than himself. Soon after, a terrible drought struck. The royal granaries remained full, but the people faced starvation. Desperate, they turned to the king, but he offered little help. Then, a new king ascended the throne. He lowered taxes, listened to the people's concerns, and ensured fair justice. He opened the royal granaries, sharing the stored wealth. The neighboring kingdom, witnessing this, offered aid and a renewed trade agreement. Eldoria blossomed.