Kural #601
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Tamil text
குடிஎன்னும் குன்றா விளக்கம்
மடிஎன்னும் மாசூர மாய்ந்து கெடும்
Kuṭi eṉṉum kuṉṟā viḷakkam
Maṭi eṉṉum māc ūra māyntu keṭum
English translation
The undimming lamp of family glory will be extinguished and ruined when covered by the stain called laziness.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar compares family honor (குடி) to an ever-bright lamp. This lamp can be extinguished only when laziness (மடி) covers it like soot or dirt. Just as a lamp loses its brightness when covered with impurities, a family's reputation dims through slothfulness. This powerful metaphor shows that inherited glory alone cannot sustain a family - each generation must work to keep the lamp burning bright.
விளக்கம்
குடி என்னும் ஒளிவிளக்கை மடி என்னும் சோம்பல் மூடினால், அது அணைந்துவிடும். சோம்பேறித்தனம், குடும்பப் பெருமையைக் கெடுக்கும். மடியின்மை அதிகாரத்தில், உழைப்பின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭifamily/lineage
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
- குன்றாkuṉṟāundimming/unfading
- விளக்கம்viḷakkamlamp/brightness
- மடிmaṭilaziness/sloth
- மாசுmācustain/impurity
- ஊரūrato spread/cover
- மாய்ந்துmāyntubeing extinguished
- கெடும்keṭumwill be ruined
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived two brothers, Theron and Silas. Their father, a renowned craftsman, had built their family’s reputation, leaving them a legacy of skilled artistry and a prosperous workshop. Theron, the elder, reveled in his inheritance. He spent his days feasting and boasting of his father's achievements, letting the workshop fall into disrepair. Dust gathered on the tools, and orders went unfulfilled. Silas, however, understood the true value of their legacy. He diligently cleaned the workshop, learned new techniques, and sought out challenging commissions. Though he faced difficulties, he worked tirelessly, his hands always busy. Soon, the workshop was buzzing with activity, and the quality of their work surpassed even their father's best. While Theron’s house grew empty and shadowed by debts, Silas's home remained filled with the warmth of success and the bright glow of their family’s renewed renown. The villagers of Eldoria admired Silas and pitied Theron, for they understood the difference between inheriting a flame and keeping it alight.