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Kural #56

Virtue· அறம்The Excellence of a Wife· வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்

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Tamil text

தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித்

தகைசான்ற சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்

Taṟkāttut taṟkoṇṭāṟ pēṇit

Takaisāṉṟa soṟkāttuc cōrvilāḷ peṇ

English translation

She is a true woman who guards herself, cherishes her husband, maintains fitting reputation, and remains ever vigilant.

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Explanation

This kural outlines four essential qualities: self-protection (தற்காத்து), caring for her husband (தற்கொண்டாற் பேணி), maintaining good reputation (தகைசான்ற சொற்காத்து), and constant vigilance (சோர்விலாள்). These represent the complete character of an ideal wife.

விளக்கம்

பெண் என்பவள் தன்னை காத்து, கணவனை அன்போடு பேணி, நல்ல பெயரை காப்பாற்றி, எப்போதும் விழிப்போடு இருக்க வேண்டும். இதுவே வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம் அதிகாரத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்ட சிறந்த மனைவியின் இலக்கணம். ஒழுக்கமும் விழிப்புமே குடும்பத்தை காக்கும்.

Word meanings

  • தன்taṉself
  • காத்துkāttuguarding/protecting
  • தன்taṉher
  • கொண்டான்koṇṭāṉhusband
  • பேணிpēṇicherishing/caring
  • தகைtakaifitting/proper
  • சான்றsāṉṟafull of/complete
  • சொல்solword/reputation
  • சோர்வுcōrvunegligence/weariness
  • இலாள்ilāḷshe who is without
  • பெண்peṇwoman

Story behind this kural

In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived Elara. She was known for her grace and sharp wit. Her husband, Arul, a merchant, often traveled. Before each journey, Elara would advise him on safety, reminding him to be wary of deceitful traders. She also managed their home meticulously, ensuring their reputation for honesty remained untarnished. One day, a cunning man arrived, spreading rumors about Arul's supposed debts. Some villagers began to doubt. Elara, however, stood firm. She presented Arul’s account books, proving his integrity. She then revealed the stranger's scheme to cheat them all. The villagers, ashamed, apologized. Arul, upon his return, found their home secure and his reputation intact. Elara, ever vigilant, had protected their lives and livelihood with wisdom and care. Their home was a place of peace, built on trust and unwavering loyalty.