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Kural #60

Virtue· அறம்The Excellence of a Wife· வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்

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Tamil text

மங்கலம் என்ப மனைமாட்சி

மற்றதன் நன்கலம் நன்மக்கட் பேறு

Maṅkalam eṉpa maṉaimāṭci

Maṟṟataṉ naṉkalam naṉmakkaṭ pēṟu

English translation

The excellence of a wife is said to be the auspiciousness of a home; and virtuous children are its beautiful ornament.

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Explanation

This concluding kural of the chapter beautifully summarizes domestic happiness. A virtuous wife (மனைமாட்சி) brings மங்கலம் (auspiciousness) to the home, while good children (நன்மக்கள்) are like precious ornaments (நன்கலம்) adorning it. The home becomes complete with both.

விளக்கம்

மனைவியின் நற்குணங்களே வீட்டிற்கு மங்களம் தரும். நல்ல பிள்ளைகள் அந்த வீட்டிற்கு அழகான ஆபரணம் போன்றவர்கள். இல்லற வாழ்க்கையின் சிறப்பை இக்குறள் கூறுகிறது. நல்ல மனைவி, பிள்ளைகள் இருந்தால் வீடு சிறக்கும்.

Word meanings

  • மங்கலம்maṅkalamauspiciousness
  • என்பeṉpathey say/is called
  • மனைmaṉaihome
  • மாட்சிmāṭciexcellence/glory
  • மற்றுmaṟṟuand/moreover
  • அதன்ataṉits
  • நன்கலம்naṉkalamgood ornament
  • நன்மக்கள்naṉmakkaḷgood/virtuous children
  • பேறுpēṟublessing/attainment

Story behind this kural

In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river lived a potter named Kumar. His home, though small, was always filled with a gentle warmth, a fragrant hearth, and the soft humming of his wife, Meena. She managed their modest dwelling with grace, her days a dance of tending the fire, weaving simple cloths, and sharing stories with the village children. Kumar, though skilled with his hands, sometimes found himself troubled by worries. On such days, Meena's quiet strength would soothe him. Her calm counsel always seemed to bring the right perspective. Their greatest joy was their two children, Ravi and Priya. They were known throughout the village for their kindness and respect. Ravi helped his father in the workshop, and Priya assisted her mother. One harsh winter, a severe illness swept through the village. Kumar fell ill, and the family's livelihood was threatened. But Meena, with unwavering resolve, nursed Kumar back to health and taught their children to assist the other villagers. Kumar, watching his family's unity and compassion, realized he had more wealth than he had ever known.