Kural #57
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Tamil text
சிறைகாக்கும் காப்பெவன் செய்யும்
மகளிர் நிறைகாக்கும் காப்பே தலை
Ciṟaikākkum kāppevaṉ ceyyum
Makaḷir niṟaikākkum kāppē talai
English translation
What use is external guarding? For women, the protection that comes from their own inner modesty is the greatest.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar makes a progressive statement: external restrictions (சிறை) cannot protect a woman; true protection comes from her own inner virtue and self-respect (நிறை). This kural values a woman's inner strength over external control.
விளக்கம்
பெண்களைக் காக்க சிறை தேவையில்லை. அவர்களின் மன உறுதியும், ஒழுக்கமுமே சிறந்த பாதுகாப்பு. வாழ்க்கைத்துணை நலத்தில், இதுவே முக்கியம் என்று வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். இது பெண்களின் சுயமரியாதையை உயர்த்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- சிறைciṟaiconfinement/external guard
- காக்கும்kākkumprotecting
- காப்புkāppuprotection
- எவன்evaṉwhat
- செய்யும்ceyyumwill do
- மகளிர்makaḷirwomen
- நிறைniṟaiinner modesty/virtue
- காப்பேkāppēprotection indeed
- தலைtalaiforemost/best
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two sisters, Maya and Priya. Maya, known for her beauty, was constantly watched over by her parents, guarded from every approaching stranger. Priya, though less striking, possessed a quiet dignity. She moved freely, her spirit unburdened by fear. One day, a wealthy merchant, known for his wandering eye, arrived in the village. He showered Maya with gifts, hoping to win her favor. Despite her parents’ warnings, Maya found herself drawn to the attention. Yet, the merchant soon tired of her, seeking new conquests elsewhere. He then turned his gaze toward Priya. He offered her jewels and fine clothes, but Priya remained unmoved. Her heart held a steadfastness the merchant could not penetrate. He eventually left, defeated. The villagers saw that Maya's beauty, though protected, was fleeting. Priya's inner grace, however, remained a fortress, untouched and unyielding.