Kural #549
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Tamil text
குடிபுறங் காத்தோம்பிக் குற்றம் கடிதல்
வடுவன்று வேந்தன் தொழில்
Kuṭipuṟaṅ kāttōmpik kuṟṟam kaṭital
Vaṭuvaṉṟu vēntaṉ toḻil
English translation
Protecting subjects, nurturing them, and punishing crimes is not a blemish but a king's proper duty.
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Explanation
Punishment, when just, is not cruelty but duty. A king must protect (காத்து), nurture (ஓம்பி), and punish wrongdoing (குற்றம் கடிதல்). This is not shameful (வடு) but the essential work (தொழில்) of kingship.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 549: குடிமக்களைக் காத்து, அவர்களை வளர்த்து, தப்பு செய்தவர்களைத் தண்டிப்பது அரசரின் கடமை. இது குறை அல்ல. செங்கோன்மை அதிகாரத்தில், நீதி தவறாத ஆட்சி முக்கியம் என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭisubjects
- புறம்puṟamexternally/all around
- காத்துkāttuprotecting
- ஓம்பிōmpinurturing
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamcrime/fault
- கடிதல்kaṭitalpunishing
- வடுvaṭublemish
- அன்றுaṉṟuis not
- வேந்தன்vēntaṉking
- தொழில்toḻilduty/work
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria thrived under the benevolent rule of King Alaric. He ensured the farmers had fertile land and the merchants safe passage. One day, a thief stole from the baker, causing hardship for the baker’s family. The villagers, angered, demanded swift justice. King Alaric, after careful investigation, found the thief, a young man driven by desperation. He listened to the thief's story, then, with a heavy heart, ordered him to work in the royal gardens, forfeiting his freedom for a year. The stolen goods were returned, and the baker was compensated. Some villagers grumbled, wishing for harsher punishment. Others understood the King's difficult choice. Soon, Eldoria flourished further. The fields yielded bountiful harvests, and trade routes remained secure. The baker's family thrived, and the young thief, humbled, became a loyal servant of the kingdom. The King’s wisdom was evident in the peace and prosperity that enveloped Eldoria.