Kural #605
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Tamil text
நெடுநீர் மறவி மடிதுயில் நான்கும்
கெடுநீரார் காமக் கலன்
Neṭunīr maṟavi maṭituyil nāṉkum
Keṭunīrār kāmak kalaṉ
English translation
Procrastination, forgetfulness, laziness, and excessive sleep - these four are the favorite ship of those destined for ruin.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar identifies four destroyers: நெடுநீர் (procrastination - literally "long water" meaning dragging things), மறவி (forgetfulness), மடி (laziness), and துயில் (excessive sleep). These are compared to a ship (கலன்) that carries people to their doom. Those of ruinous nature (கெடுநீரார்) love to sail on this vessel. A warning that these habits lead surely to destruction.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 605-இல் திருவள்ளுவர் சோம்பலை தவிர்க்க சொல்கிறார். தாமதம், மறதி, சோம்பல், தூக்கம் - இவை கெடுதியை விரும்புவோரின் தோணி. இந்த நான்கும் ஒருவரை அழிவுக்கு கொண்டு செல்லும். சுறுசுறுப்பாக இருப்பது அவசியம்.
Word meanings
- நெடுநீர்neṭunīrprocrastination/delay
- மறவிmaṟaviforgetfulness
- மடிmaṭilaziness
- துயில்tuyilexcessive sleep
- நான்கும்nāṉkumall four
- கெடுநீரார்keṭunīrārthose destined for ruin
- காமkāmabeloved/favorite
- கலன்kalaṉship/vessel
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a fertile valley lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his diligence. He rose with the sun, tending his fields, remembering every task. Bala, however, often delayed, putting off work until tomorrow. He’d forget to water his crops, preferring a long nap under the shade of the banyan tree. One season, the rains came late. Arun, prepared and vigilant, had already dug irrigation channels. His crops thrived. Bala, caught off guard, his fields dry and cracked, watched his harvest wither. He lamented his fate, blaming the heavens. The villagers saw Arun’s bountiful harvest and Bala’s empty barn. They understood the difference between the two men. Arun’s energy and focus had brought him prosperity, while Bala’s delays, forgetfulness, and love of sleep had brought him hardship.